What is the reason for the right side being too wide when parallel parking?
3 Answers
The reason for the right side being too wide during parallel parking is that after seeing the corner of the parking space in the left rearview mirror and straightening the steering wheel to reverse, the left rear wheel still has a considerable distance from the parking line when turning left. Below are some tips for parallel parking in the driving test (Subject 2): 1. Starting: After getting into the car, adjust the seat first, then fasten the seatbelt—this should be done every time during the test. Adjust both side mirrors so that about one-quarter of the inner part of the mirrors shows the car body. 2. Positioning: Start with the clutch halfway engaged; if confident, you can slightly accelerate. Follow the principle of 'press clutch, shift gear, turn signal, honk, and check surroundings' when starting. Park the car parallel to the parking space, 30-50 cm away, with the rear end passing the frontmost pole. 3. Reversing: Shift into reverse gear, start with the clutch halfway engaged, and control the speed. Turn right to look at the lower rear corner of the right door glass. When the first pole appears, quickly turn the steering wheel to the right until it stops while moving slowly. Then, look at the left rearview mirror. When the second pole (diagonal to the first pole) appears, stabilize the speed and quickly turn the wheel two turns to the left. While turning back, start looking at the right rearview mirror for positioning. When the base of the rearview mirror passes the first pole, quickly turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. (Note: Once you find a turning point and start turning, immediately look for the next one.) Watch the front of the car and stop when the car body is straight. If the front wheels need to be straightened, do so quickly as the car body is about to straighten. 4. Exiting: Shift into first gear, turn on the left signal, honk, and start slowly with the clutch halfway engaged. Quickly turn the wheel to the left when starting. When the right front corner of the car passes the pole, quickly turn the wheel two turns to the right. After the third turn, adjust the steering based on the distance to the right pole and the speed of turning. Look ahead and straighten the front wheels as the car is about to align, allowing the car to move straight.
When I first started driving, I often had the same issue. The main reasons for leaving too much space on the right side during parallel parking are not turning the steering wheel quickly or early enough, and not positioning the car correctly at the start. You're supposed to stay close to the curb, but end up parking too far to the right. Additionally, poorly adjusted rearview mirrors can lead to misjudging distances. It's best to practice in a safe open area, using cones to mark positions and repeating the process. After each attempt, get out and measure the actual distance to see where you went wrong. Gradually, you'll get a better feel for your car's dimensions and won't be as nervous or make as many mistakes. Parking is something that improves with practice—the more you do it, the easier it becomes. My current tip is to turn the steering wheel more decisively without hesitation.
When students report that the parking space on the right is too wide, I find the common causes are: first, the starting point is too far out, leaving insufficient space; second, incorrect steering rhythm, such as delayed action after aligning the rear wheels. I emphasize observing the rearview mirror and roadside reference points, for example, turning the steering wheel fully as soon as the rear bumper line aligns. Practice is key—simulate real scenarios in an open area first, then gradually improve precision. Don’t forget to check environmental factors, such as road slope or roadside debris, which may affect the angle. Parking improperly increases the risk of scratches, so safety comes first—adjust accordingly.
