What are the techniques for reverse parking in a parking lot?
3 Answers
Here is a detailed introduction to the techniques for reverse parking in a parking lot: 1. Mirror Reverse Method: First, drive past the parking space to determine if it can accommodate your car. Then, drive forward until your car is roughly aligned with the car in front of the space, with a horizontal distance of about one meter between the two cars. Start reversing. Once the car starts moving, immediately shift your gaze from the right rearview mirror to the left rearview mirror, paying attention to oncoming traffic and obstacles on the left side. Slowly reverse while turning the steering wheel fully, until you can see the front of the car behind you completely in the left rearview mirror. At this point, straighten the steering wheel and continue reversing. Then, shift your gaze to the right rearview mirror to check the situation on the right side. The driver should judge the distance to the car behind by turning their head or using the reverse assist system. 2. Slanted Reverse Method: When the front wheels pass the parking space, start turning the steering wheel to make the car move in the direction away from the parking space. Use the available width of the passage to "slant" the car as much as possible. This reduces the angle between the car and the parking space, thereby minimizing the steering required during reversing. While reversing, observe the left rearview mirror to monitor the distance between the left rear wheel and the adjacent car. Shift your gaze from the left rearview mirror to the right rearview mirror to assess whether the distance between the rear of your car and the car on the right is safe. 3. Fixed-Point Reverse Method: Maintain a horizontal distance of about 1.5 meters between your car and the parking space, then adjust the vehicle by turning the steering wheel fully to the left and reversing into the space. It's important to reverse at a very slow speed. When the car is parallel to the parking space, straighten the steering wheel and continue reversing until the car is successfully parked.
I've figured out quite a few tricks for parallel parking. Don't panic at first - signal with your turn light after spotting a space. Align your car parallel to the parking space, keeping about one meter distance. The key is watching both rearview and side mirrors. Start by turning the steering wheel fully right while reversing slowly, then straighten it when your car reaches a 45-degree angle. Immediately check your left mirror to avoid scraping neighboring vehicles. Move as slow as a crawling turtle, keeping your foot ready to brake. Backup cameras help but shouldn't be fully trusted - complement them by turning your head. If the space seems too tight, getting out to check beats forcing it - scratches cause bigger headaches. Every parking attempt is a new challenge, where calmness and coordination matter most.
As someone who drives in the city year-round, parallel parking requires speed, precision, and decisiveness. First, estimate the parking space size—for a sedan, leave at least 1.5 times the car's length. I prefer starting from the left-side space, positioning the driver's seat closer to the spot for better visibility. Before moving, adjust the side mirrors to ensure a clear view of both rear corners. While reversing, focus on the inner rearview mirror—stop when the door handle aligns with the parking line, then turn the steering wheel fully toward the spot and continue reversing. Be mindful of the front-end swing to avoid hitting pillars. Modern cars have radar alerts; stop when you hear beeping and fine-tune the position. If the alignment is off, pull forward half a meter and try again—avoid aggressive steering while stationary to prevent tire damage.
