What does 'steer towards the narrower side when reversing into a parking space' mean?

[KeiraLynn]

Taking left-side reversing as an example, if you notice that the distance between your car and the left edge of the parking space is too large, you should steer to the left. Conversely, if the distance to the left edge appears too narrow, you need to immediately steer to the right and straighten the wheels promptly to successfully park the car. For right-side reversing, you should observe the right rearview mirror to monitor the distance between your car body and the right edge of the parking space during the process. There are three most common types of reversing maneuvers: 1. "Non-character style" parallel parking: In this method, your vehicle should be perpendicular to the target parking space. Using your car's B-pillar as a reference point against the first parking space, you can generally reverse into the third space. This method is particularly suitable for novice drivers, as most driving school students find it relatively common and easier to learn. 2. "Linear style" parallel parking: This involves using the car in front as a reference. Align your car body, turn the steering wheel to the right, and when the angle between the two cars reaches 45 degrees, observe and straighten the wheel while reversing. If estimated correctly, you can complete the parking in one go. This method often requires occupying part of the driving lane and is about as challenging as the non-character style. 3. "Diagonal line style" parking: These two reversing methods usually require one to two training sessions for driving school students to master proficiently. Of course, there are also some less common diagonal or irregular parking scenarios.

[MacClayton]

When I was a novice driver, parallel parking was always a mess, especially with the car body leaning to one side. Later, my instructor taught me a secret: "When reversing, steer the wheel towards the side that’s too narrow." That’s when I understood. During the parking process, if you see from the rearview mirror that the right side of the car body is too close to the parking line or an obstacle, leaving very little space, you should turn the steering wheel slightly to the right. After this adjustment, the front of the car will turn right, but as the car reverses, the rear will shift slightly to the left, creating more space on the right. Similarly, if the left side is too narrow, turn the wheel to the left. The principle is that by steering towards the narrow side, the car body naturally adjusts to a more balanced position. It’s recommended to reverse slowly and avoid turning the wheel too sharply—small adjustments work best. Back then, I practiced in a parking lot for an entire afternoon, constantly checking both mirrors to confirm my position, and now my parking is much more accurate, with almost no scrapes. Remember, safety comes first—always check your surroundings before reversing and don’t rush the process.

[HarrisonRose]

After years of driving, my trick for parallel parking is the old saying: 'Turn the steering wheel towards the narrow side.' It's straightforward: when you're reversing into a parking space and notice through the rearview mirror that the right side of the car is too close to the wall or pillar, making the space narrow, turn the steering wheel to the right; if the left side is narrow, turn to the left. This allows the front of the car to turn towards the narrow side, causing the rear to move towards the wider side in reverse, smoothly creating space. The key is to make gentle movements—don't jerk the wheel—and only act after clearly seeing the narrow side in the mirror. I always use this method when parking, and it's both efficient and stress-free. Beginners often panic and turn the wheel the wrong way, increasing the risk. I recommend adjusting the mirrors properly to get a full view of both sides of the car. Be extra cautious in rainy conditions or at night when visibility is poor, using lights to better assess the road conditions. With more practice, you'll master the feel.

[DiMorgan]

During driving school instruction, I often emphasize this mantra for parallel parking: "Turn the steering wheel towards the narrower side." The meaning is clear: while reversing, observe the vehicle body - if the right side space is getting too close to the obstacle, turn the steering wheel to the right; similarly, turn left if the left side is narrow. This works by steering toward the narrower side, allowing the car to adjust its position toward the opposite side while reversing. The steps are simple: park steadily, confirm which side is narrow through the mirrors, try turning the wheel at a small angle, then slowly reverse to observe the effect. Repeat if adjustment is needed. With sufficient practice, students naturally master it, but should avoid common mistakes like sudden steering or only checking one mirror. Safety is paramount - control reversing speed carefully and stay focused on surroundings. Remember, this skill requires hands-on practice to develop feel.