How to Reverse Park?
3 Answers
Engage the reverse gear and slowly release the clutch pedal. Look at the left rearview mirror. When you see the intersection point of the left line and the bottom line of the parking space in the left rearview mirror, immediately straighten the steering wheel. After reversing into the parking space, look at the left rearview mirror. When the lower edge of the left rearview mirror aligns with the front line of the parking space, stop the car to complete the reverse parking. To exit the parking space, engage the first gear and slowly release the clutch pedal. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left. When the car body is straight, straighten the steering wheel. When the front wheels pass the left starting sensor line, stop the car.
When I was a novice driver, parallel parking made me quite nervous, but it became easier after a few practices. I would find a relatively spacious parking spot, drive slightly past it, aligning my car parallel to the curb with about one meter of distance. Then, I'd shift into reverse gear, slowly release the clutch (if it's a manual transmission), and use the rearview mirror to check behind me while maintaining a steady reversing speed. It's important to turn the steering wheel appropriately, adjusting direction based on the mirror's feedback. If I noticed the car veering left or right, I'd make minor corrections immediately without jerking the wheel. Common mistakes beginners make include reversing too quickly or misaligning, which can lead to scrapes, so I always remind myself to stay calm. For practice, I choose empty parking lots and avoid peak hours to reduce stress. Once parked, I shift to neutral, engage the handbrake, and step out to check if the position is centered and safe. With experience, you can handle various challenging situations like narrow streets or poor lighting, but safety always comes first.
Backing into a parking space is a piece of cake for an experienced driver like me. First, I adjust the rearview mirror angle from the driver's seat to ensure clear visibility, then observe the movements of surrounding vehicles or pedestrians. After selecting a suitable space, I drive forward until the car is parallel with the parking spot. When starting to reverse, I maintain a steady speed and gently turn the steering wheel to control the trajectory. During the reversing process, I keep my eyes fixed on the rearview mirror or the reversing camera (if equipped) to clearly see obstacles and minimize blind spot risks. The key is to correct the direction halfway through to avoid deviation. Common issues like crossing the line or getting too close to neighboring cars are avoided by always leaving enough margin to prevent scratches or collisions. In bad weather conditions, such as rain, I operate even slower and steadier. Experience has taught me not to rush when parking—patience ensures both accuracy and safety.
