What are the tips for reverse parking into a garage?
3 Answers
The tips for reverse parking into a garage are as follows: 1. Right-side reverse parking: Adjust the seat and backrest after getting in the car, adjust the left and right rearview mirrors to the lowest position, preferably to see a bit of the rear wheels. Fasten the seat belt. First, pull the car to an appropriate position, shift into reverse gear, gently lift the clutch, and slowly reverse. When the lower edge of the left rearview mirror touches the control line, turn the steering wheel fully to the right. 2. After turning the steering wheel fully to the right, look at the left rearview mirror. When the garage corner appears in the left rearview mirror, straighten the steering wheel (if the left front door handle has already pressed against the line, do not straighten the wheel but reverse directly into the garage). 3. After straightening the steering wheel, reverse until the left front door handle presses against the left garage line, then turn the steering wheel fully to the right again. 4. When the left bottom garage corner is visible, straighten the steering wheel, wait for the car body to be vertical and parallel, adjust the car body to reverse into the garage. After adjusting the car body, look at the left rearview mirror. When the lower edge of the left rearview mirror shell presses against the front garage line, stop the car.
I practiced reverse parking many times before getting proficient. The basic technique is to first adjust the rearview mirrors to ensure a clear view without blind spots, then drive the car parallel to the parking line, maintaining a distance of about one meter before shifting into reverse gear and slowly backing up. The timing of turning the steering wheel is crucial—it's best to find a reference point, such as when the side window aligns with a pillar, then immediately turn the steering wheel one and a half full turns. The speed must be steadily controlled at first gear, like walking—don't rush or get impatient. While reversing, pay attention to the safe distance on both sides and behind; if you encounter an obstacle, stop and adjust the direction. With more practice, you'll find yourself easily aligning with the parking spot. Remember, don't be afraid of failure—try a few more times to get the rhythm, and after each parking, check if the car is centered to save space.
An old-timer who's been driving for decades tells you to stay calm when parallel parking. First, align the car body parallel and keep it about one meter from the parking space line. When reversing, don't rush to turn the wheel—wait until the rear wheels pass the side pillar before gently turning the steering wheel, keeping the turn within half a rotation. Control the speed using idle speed to avoid sudden braking or rolling. With experience, you'll realize the key is anticipating the vehicle's trajectory—observe angle changes through the rearview mirror and make flexible micro-adjustments to the steering wheel without being rigid. It's best to practice in a quiet area to familiarize yourself with your car's turning radius, which varies by model. When garage lighting is dim, this technique ensures precise parking.
