How to Steer the Wheel to Find the Reference Point When Reversing into the Left Parking Space?
3 Answers
Shift into reverse gear and start backing up. When the lower edge of the left rearview mirror is about to align with the stop line, you can turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. Observe the distance between the rear wheel and the corner of the parking space in the left rearview mirror, and try to keep this distance at about 30 centimeters. Turn your head to look at the left rearview mirror. When it covers the solid stop line at the entrance of the parking space, you can press the brake and clutch to stop the car. At this point, the vehicle has successfully entered the parking space.
As a veteran driver with over ten years of experience, my method for reversing into a left parking space is as follows: First, position the car properly, keeping the body parallel to the parking space with a distance of about 1 meter. Start reversing slowly and observe the position of the left rear wheel through the left side mirror. When the left rear wheel passes the corner point of the left parking space, immediately turn the steering wheel fully to the left—be decisive but steady. After turning the wheel, continue reversing while monitoring the movement of the rear of the car. When the car enters the parking space, check the right side mirror to ensure the rear doesn’t scrape the right side. If it’s too close to the left, adjust by turning the wheel slightly back; if it’s too far, turn the wheel a bit more. Throughout the process, control the speed carefully—it’s better to reverse slowly than to rush. After completing the maneuver, remember to straighten the steering wheel to avoid starting off crooked next time. When practicing, it’s best to do so in an empty parking lot to get a feel for the car. Use markers like lines or objects to help remember positions. A reversing camera can assist with blind spots, but don’t rely on it too much. Practice makes perfect—after a few tries, it’ll come naturally.
When teaching students the technique of reversing into the left garage, I emphasize three points: observation points, movements, and fine-tuning. The first step is to adjust the seat and rearview mirrors to ensure a standard viewing angle. When reversing, look at the left rearview mirror. When the rear door handle passes the left garage corner line, turn the steering wheel one and a half to two turns to the left, ensuring the steering is smooth and decisive. Then, pay attention to the vehicle's movement. If the rear of the car moves too quickly to the left, it may cause the body to tilt. In this case, straighten the steering wheel appropriately before continuing to reverse. A common mistake beginners make is turning the steering wheel too early or too late, resulting in the car entering the parking space at an angle. My suggestion is to pause and restart the reversing process or make minor adjustments if a mistake occurs. Maintain a steady speed using the throttle control, and always be aware of the surroundings during the reversing process to avoid pedestrians or obstacles. A related exercise is to use cones to simulate parking spaces and practice dozens of times to master the rhythm. Remember, safety comes first—don't let nervousness affect your movements.
