When reversing, if you turn the steering wheel to the right, does the rear of the car also move to the right?
4 Answers
When reversing, turning the steering wheel to the right will cause the rear of the car to move to the right, and turning it to the left will cause the rear to move to the left. If moving forward, the opposite is true: turning the steering wheel to the left while moving forward will cause the rear to move to the right, and turning it to the right will cause the rear to move to the left. When parking in a parking lot, first estimate the width of the space, check for obstacles behind, whether there are cars parked on either side, and whether the length is suitable for your vehicle. If visibility is poor at night, step out to observe the exact position before reversing. Whenever possible, choose to reverse from the left side (if conditions permit). The left side makes it easier for the driver to observe. During the reversing process, first look behind, then pay attention to the side mirrors. The horizontal distance on the right side should be slightly larger than on the left. Pay attention to both the front and rear when reversing. When reversing into a parking space, this might happen: due to limited surrounding space, reversing while turning may lead to focusing only on the rear of the car and neglecting the front, causing the front side to scrape. This occurs because, during the turning process, the turning radius of the front wheels is larger than that of the rear wheels. As a result, the front of the car swings outward while reversing, leading to a scrape on the front side. Therefore, when reversing, always be mindful of both the front and rear.
When I was learning to drive, I always felt disoriented while practicing reversing at the driving school, especially when it came to the relationship between the steering wheel and the direction of the car's rear. The instructor repeatedly demonstrated: when reversing, if you turn the steering wheel to the right, the car's rear will move to the right, as if the rear wheels are pulling the car's tail around. This feels completely opposite to driving forward, which can easily confuse beginners. Later, I practiced countless times in an empty space, lightly pressing the brake each time before reversing, checking the rearview mirror to ensure safety, and then slowly turning the steering wheel to the right to test and adjust. Now it has become an instinctive reaction, helping me avoid several scratches while parking in the neighborhood. Don't rush; with more practice, it will naturally become second nature.
Having driven for over a decade, I've never had any issues with reversing because I've grasped the fundamental principles. When reversing, the direction of the steering wheel directly affects the rear wheels: turning right makes the rear wheels turn right, causing the rear of the car to move right. This is symmetrical to steering while moving forward, but some people might find it surprising when they first encounter it. I recommend beginners practice in a parking lot to get a feel for it or use a reversing camera to assist with visibility. Safety is paramount—remember to go slow and make gentle movements, stopping immediately if there's an obstacle. Keep this in mind, and parking will become much smoother.
When my child first got his driver's license, he always turned the steering wheel in the wrong direction while reversing, which made him panic and turn the wheel randomly. I taught him that when reversing, you should turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear of the car to go—turn right to go right. Now that he's remembered this, he's much steadier. Every time he practices driving, I sit beside him to remind him to check blind spots. Safety comes first, and these little tips are very important for beginners.
