How to Reverse into a Parking Space?
2 Answers
When reversing, immediately turn the steering wheel fully to the left once the lower edge of the rearview mirror covers the yellow line. Then, observe the left rearview mirror. When the corner of the parking space appears, check the distance between the car body and the corner. Below are some related tips on parking techniques: 1. Observation: Before parking, check if the space is large enough to accommodate your car. Trying to squeeze into a tight space is possible but may require multiple adjustments, which is time-consuming and increases the risk of scratches. 2. Parking: Drive your car to the left front of the parking space, maintaining a horizontal distance of about 1 meter from the car in front. Adjust the distance, aligning the center of your car's right window with the center of the car in front, then turn the steering wheel fully to the right and start reversing. 3. Adjustment: Finally, when the right rearview mirror overlaps with the B-pillar (the center point of the side of a large vehicle) of the car in front, your car should be at about a 45-degree angle. Straighten the wheels and slowly reverse. When the outer edge of the right rearview mirror and the left rear taillight of the car in front are about to align, stop reversing and turn the steering wheel fully to the left to slowly reverse. If you notice the car body is slightly tilted, make gradual adjustments.
Backing into a parking space was a headache for me when I first learned to drive. Find a quiet road or an empty parking lot to practice first. Adjust the rearview mirrors so you can clearly see the corners of the parking space, then slowly reverse while keeping an eye on the side rear window and rearview mirrors to gauge the distance. Don’t turn the steering wheel all the way at once—aim for the center line of the parking space before turning to avoid the rear end swinging out too early and scraping a neighboring car. Keep the speed slow; beginners tend to panic, but practice makes perfect. Use a fixed reference point to help with timing—I usually align the rear of the car with the edge of the parking space in the mirror to judge when to turn. Practice is key, and turn on your hazard lights to alert others for safety.
