How to Steer When Exiting Parallel Parking?
3 Answers
First, park the car next to the parking space and adjust the distance between the car body and the parking line. The line should align with one-third of the front of the car. When the front wheels cross the line on the ground, slowly observe the left rearview mirror. When the bottom edge of the mirror touches the line, you can stop. Then, turn on the right turn signal, shift into reverse gear, and observe the right rearview mirror. When the right rear wheel aligns with the parking line, turn the steering wheel fully to the right. Finally, continue watching the left rearview mirror. As soon as the inner corner of the parking space appears in your view, immediately straighten the steering wheel.
When exiting from parallel parking, I always make sure the car is in drive gear, gently press the accelerator to move slowly, and immediately turn the steering wheel fully in the direction I want to go—for example, if parked on the roadside, I turn left to let the front of the car edge out to the right. During this process, I closely monitor the rearview and side mirrors to check for any vehicles or pedestrians behind me, avoiding accidents caused by blind spots. Once the front of the car safely exits the parking space, I quickly straighten the steering wheel to prepare for normal driving. The entire process must be slow and steady; moving too fast can easily lead to scraping adjacent cars. I remember once during my novice days, I hit a neighboring car due to a sharp turn, so now I’ve developed the habit of adjusting the mirror positions before exiting for better visibility and higher safety. I recommend observing the surrounding traffic conditions before maneuvering in busy areas to ensure everything goes smoothly.
When exiting a parallel parking spot in a garage or on the roadside, I usually turn the steering wheel fully toward the target direction before gently pressing the accelerator. This helps the wheels turn quickly and reduces friction. When steering, the angle should be precise but not excessive, keeping the car body parallel to the curb while moving forward. Pay attention to the swing of the front of the car and straighten the wheels in time to avoid hitting neighboring vehicles or the curb. Also, check the rearview mirror to confirm the position of the rear wheels and prevent obstacles from affecting the maneuver. Beginners often make the mistake of turning the steering wheel too sharply or too late, leading to scratches or lane deviation. It's recommended to practice in an open area several times. Vehicle sensor-assisted features like parking sensors can also be utilized to enhance environmental awareness during exit. Remember, safe driving is the core principle.
