Is hitting the line during reverse parking due to turning the steering wheel too early or too late?
2 Answers
If the steering wheel is turned too early, you must wait until the right moment to fully turn it. Methods for reverse parking: 1. Non-linear reverse parking: The vehicle should be perpendicular to the target parking space, using the first parking space as a reference, and you can generally reverse into the third space. This positioning method is more suitable for novice drivers. The advantage is that if done well, it allows for a one-time entry into the space, but the downside is that it's quite mechanical. If there are many vehicles on both sides or the space is narrow, multiple adjustments may be needed. 2. Linear parallel parking: Using the vehicle in front as a reference, if estimated correctly, you can enter the space in one go. This method often requires occupying the lane, so many driving students, who are doing well in the reversing process, may lose their rhythm completely when the car behind honks, leading to failure.
Whether reversing over the line is acceptable depends on which specific line is crossed. If the outer line near the corner of the parking space is crossed, it's usually because the steering wheel was turned too early, causing the rear wheels to get too close to the parking space. If the inner line is crossed, it typically means the steering wheel was turned too late, bringing the front of the car too close to the line of the adjacent parking space. My driving instructor taught me a trick: when you see the rear of the car about to brush against the corner of the parking space in the rearview mirror, it's time to straighten the wheels. If you turned the wheel too early, immediately counter-steer to correct; if too late, compensate by turning the wheel an extra half-turn in advance. Proper seat adjustment is crucial—sitting crooked will lead to misjudgment, and poorly adjusted rearview mirrors can also misguide your sense of direction.
