Is the right side too narrow when reversing into the parking space due to late or early steering?
3 Answers
There are two scenarios when the right side becomes too narrow while reversing into the parking space: 1. If it's a left-side reverse parking, the steering was too late. 2. If it's a right-side reverse parking, the steering was too early. There are two main methods for reverse parking: 1. "Non-character style" reverse parking. In this method, the vehicle is perpendicular to the target parking space, using the B-pillar as a reference point and the first parking space as a marker, you can generally reverse into the third parking space. This positioning method is more suitable for novice drivers, with the advantage of being relatively easy to complete in one attempt if mastered well, but the drawback is being somewhat mechanical. 2. "Straight-line" parallel parking. In "straight-line" parallel parking, you use the vehicle in front as a reference, align your car body, turn the steering wheel to the right, and when the angle between the two cars reaches 45 degrees, observe and straighten the wheel while reversing. With proper estimation, you can usually complete the parking in one attempt.
When it comes to the issue of the right side being too narrow when reversing into a parking space, I think it's often because the steering wheel is turned too late. I remember when I first started driving, I always had this problem—the right side would scrape against the pillar while reversing into the spot, leaving me sweating in frustration. Later, a friend pointed out that if you turn the steering wheel too late when reversing, the rear of the car won’t have enough time to swing left to straighten out, resulting in the right side being squeezed in. On the other hand, turning too early might cause the car to hit the left wall in one turn, leaving the right side completely empty. So the key is to keep an eye on the rearview mirror and reference points during the reversing process, making slight adjustments to the steering wheel if the distance feels insufficient—don’t wait until the last moment to act. Nowadays, I always turn the wheel a tiny bit earlier when reversing, and it’s become much easier. I recommend that beginners practice low-speed maneuvers more to get familiar with the feel of the car. A reversing camera also helps a lot, and over time, you’ll develop the habit of not always ending up too narrow on the right side.
When I reverse into a parking space, the right side is too narrow, most likely because I turned the steering wheel too late. Turning the wheel late during reversing means the car's turning angle is insufficient, and the rear wheels haven't fully entered the space before the right side of the car gets too close to obstacles, which looks particularly awkward. If I turn too early, the car usually turns too sharply, causing the left side to squeeze or cross the line first. I've encountered this several times myself—rushing to reverse but ending up with sluggish movements. Later, I learned to anticipate the rear position in advance, adjusting the steering when I feel the corner of the parking space is about to reach the rear wheels. Now, I also remind my wife while driving not to focus solely on the front but to glance at the rearview mirror occasionally to coordinate with steering. Ultimately, this is a matter of accumulated driving experience. Practicing a few more times will teach you how crucial timing is—safety comes first.
