What Causes a Wide Left Side When Reversing into the Left Parking Space?
2 Answers
Failure to control the distance between the car body and the corner of the parking space. The solution is to turn the steering wheel to the left, with the degree of turning depending on the progress of reversing. Key points for reversing into a parking space: When reversing into the right parking space, observe the left rearview mirror before turning the steering wheel. After turning the steering wheel fully to the right, observe the right rearview mirror. When straightening the steering wheel, observe the left rearview mirror again. Once confirmed that both front and rear wheels can enter the space, observe both sides to make minor adjustments to the car body. Methods for adjusting the car body: Use the distance between the car body and the boundary line as the adjustment standard. If the rear of the car is closer to the right boundary line of the parking space, turn the steering wheel to the left for adjustment. Conversely, if it is closer to the left boundary line, turn the steering wheel to the right for adjustment.
When I first started learning to reverse park, I always ended up with an excessively wide gap on the left side during left reverse parking, which really frustrated me. The main reason was turning the steering wheel too sharply and initiating the turn too early—when reversing, if you hastily turn the steering wheel before properly positioning the car, the rear end will swing out prematurely, leaving a large empty space on the left. Additionally, driving too fast was another factor; excessive speed makes it harder to control the angle, causing the car to stop before getting close to the side. Since then, I’ve learned my lesson—I now reverse slowly every time, carefully observing the side mirrors and external reference points. Reverse parking is a skill, and beginners often struggle with this. The key is to practice more; find an open space and repeat the maneuver several times to get the hang of it. Don’t get discouraged, take it slow, and always prioritize safety.
