What Causes One Side to Be Too Wide When Parallel Parking?

[SanHarper]

The main reason for one side being wider than the other during parallel parking is turning the steering wheel too early or too late when reversing. Below are different scenarios and their solutions: 1. "Left narrow, right wide": When you notice the distance between the right rear wheel and the right corner of the parking space is too wide, turn the steering wheel an additional 1/4 turn to the right after already having turned it 1+1/4 turns to the right. This will gradually reduce the gap between the right rear wheel and the right corner. Once the distance appears appropriate in the side mirror, straighten the vehicle. 2. "Left wide, right narrow": When the distance between the right rear wheel and the right corner is too narrow, slightly turn the steering wheel back to the left after having turned it 1+1/4 turns to the right. This will gradually increase the gap between the right rear wheel and the right corner.

[MacSamantha]

As a driving instructor who has taught many beginners, there are typically three main reasons for consistently hitting the line or leaving too much space on one side during reverse parking. First, the steering timing is off—turning too late will inevitably leave excessive space on one side. Second, the car isn't aligned straight before reversing, causing the rear to enter at an angle. Third, the side mirrors are adjusted too narrowly, leading to misjudgment due to visual errors. My advice is to first align the car straight along the parking line with a 30 cm gap, then turn the steering wheel fully once the corner of the parking space and mirror position are in sight. Stay flexible with steering adjustments during the process—don’t rigidly rely on fixed reference points. If the right side consistently ends up too wide, turn the wheel slightly earlier to guide the rear closer. Practice more to develop a feel, and most importantly, stay calm—make small, precise steering adjustments.

[VanCharles]

A veteran driver with 15 years of experience says that if one side is too wide when reversing, it's purely because the steering was delayed or the car's rear didn't swing enough. You need to closely monitor the distance difference on both sides through the rearview mirrors and steer towards the wider side to correct it. When adjusting the steering, the movement should be quick but not too forceful, as the car body will shift as soon as the tires move, and the timing of straightening the steering wheel is crucial. When the car body is halfway in, you should check both lines; if the difference is too big, just start over. Try a few more times to remember the relationship between the position where the corner disappears in the rearview mirror and the timing of turning the wheel. Once you've practiced enough, you can park it even with your eyes closed.

[Hugh]

After seeing numerous cases of scratches in repair shops, most issues with the width during reversing are actually caused by the steering wheels not being straightened. Many beginners don't pay attention to whether the steering wheel is crooked at the starting position of reversing. If the tires are at an angle when reversing, the trajectory will be skewed. Remember to press the brake to straighten the wheels before reversing. When checking the distance on both sides through the rearview mirrors, also observe the direction the rear of the car is heading. If one side is getting wider, adjust the steering slightly. Once the car body is parallel, immediately straighten the steering wheel. Even half a turn too much on the steering wheel will require readjustment.