Is the steering wheel turned too early or too late when parking in one go?
2 Answers
Turning the steering wheel too early is the case when parking in one go. Lack of oil in the shock absorber's plain bearing: Listen for sounds near the hood to see if they are coming from the top of the shock absorber. If the noise is from the plain bearing of the shock absorber, you can apply some grease to the plain bearing. If the noise persists after greasing, it will need to be replaced. Loose stabilizer bar bushings: Check if the stabilizer bar bushings are loose or damaged. Loose or damaged stabilizer bar bushings can cause noise not only when turning the steering wheel but also when driving on uneven roads. Loose bushings can be fixed by adding shims, but damaged ones must be replaced.
When I first started driving, I often had trouble with reverse parking, especially with the timing of turning the steering wheel. Turning too early would make the car tilt to one side, getting too close to the wall and risking scratches; turning too late would require several back-and-forth adjustments to get into the spot, which wasted a lot of time. My instructor taught me to align the side mirror with the parking space line and start turning the wheel when the car is about 30 centimeters away from the line for the best results. Now, before reversing, I always check the size of the parking space—turning earlier for smaller spaces and later for larger ones makes it smoother. Practice is key; find an empty parking lot to practice slowly, controlling the speed and avoiding sudden acceleration. Remember, safety comes first—distractions or impatience during reverse parking can lead to mistakes. With practice, you’ll naturally gain confidence.
