What to Do When the Car is Too Close to the Left Side?

[VonAdriana]

Straighten back a little, then drive forward to the right a bit, and straighten back again. Repeating this two or three times should do the trick. Depending on the size of the space, if you realize it's not suitable right after entering, you can try reversing out the same way and then re-entering. If the car isn't too close, you can make slight adjustments. If it's extremely close, you'll need to be very careful and move out bit by bit.

[VanMaya]

I can relate to this issue. When I first started driving, I always unconsciously drifted to the left, especially when crossing narrow bridges—I nearly scraped the guardrail. Later, I realized the key was adjusting my seating position. The seat height should be set so I can see the front curve of the hood, which makes it much easier to judge the position of the left wheels. During practice, I found an empty straight road and drove with the left wheels close to the dashed line, paying attention to the distance between the line and the car body in the rearview mirror—about two fingers' width is safest. I also learned to focus on the distance ahead rather than fixating on the lane markings and to make minor steering adjustments, keeping them under 15 degrees. Interestingly, when the AC is on, the steering wheel feels heavier, which actually improves stability. Now, when approaching narrow roads, I slow down in advance, straighten the car, and pass through easily. Building this driving intuition is far more reliable than relying on assist systems.

[QuinnMarie]

Driving instructors teach a practical method: adjust the rearview mirror to show half sky and half ground, with the car body occupying a quarter. Observe the distance between the road markings and the car body in the mirror. When the markings appear at the outer third of the mirror, it's time to steer right. The wiper nodes are also good references. If the left bulge of the hood aligns with the inner edge of the lane line, it means the wheels are only 30 cm away from the edge. Beginners should practice using reference objects, such as imagining water bottles as obstacles. Remember to adjust the steering wheel height so that elbows are slightly bent for flexibility. Avoid sharp turns when too close, and each correction should not exceed half a fist width. Maintaining a steady speed is most important.

[LaIsabelle]

Last week, I scraped against a stone pier in the alley while dropping off my kid at school—totally regret it. Later, I learned a practical trick: at a red light, observe the position of the left wheel relative to the stop line and remember the corresponding point on the hood. Now, when navigating narrow roads, I slow down to under 30 km/h, shift the car half a car length to the right, and keep an eye on the curb via the left side mirror the whole time. In rain or snow, I’m extra cautious—adding small convex mirrors to the side mirrors helps a lot. If visibility is poor at night, I roll down the window to peek or rely on the 360° camera. The key is not to panic: keep the steering steady and inch forward slowly. If all else fails, just stop and let the other party pass first.

[Leon]

As a seasoned mountain driver, here's a pro tip: Holding the steering wheel at the 9 o'clock position with your left hand provides better distance control than the conventional 10 o'clock grip. When navigating curves, avoid cutting too close to the inside line—maintain a half-meter safety margin. If you find yourself too close to the left edge, resist slamming the brakes; instead, ease off the throttle while gently steering right, with a movement as subtle as twisting a mineral water bottle cap. The most accurate way to check if your rear wheels are crossing the line is through the side mirrors, while the front wheel position can be gauged using the left ridge line on the hood. Rainy conditions can cause misleading reflections of lane markings, so turn on your fog lights in advance to enhance side visibility. When you have a passenger, ask them to help monitor the left-side clearance.