When reversing, which way do the wheels turn when the steering wheel is turned to the left?
3 Answers
When reversing, if the steering wheel is turned to the left, the rear of the car will move to the left. The key points and operations for steering during reverse parking are as follows: Key points for steering during reverse parking: When reversing, turning the steering wheel to the left will make the rear of the car move to the left; turning the steering wheel to the right will make the rear of the car move to the right. Recognizing the sense of direction is the first key point. When the rear of the car deviates to one side, the steering wheel should be turned in the opposite direction (the amount of turn should match the deviation). Specific operations: Look at the left rearview mirror. When the right starting sensor line appears and aligns with the lower edge of the left rearview mirror, turn the steering wheel fully to the right. Without stopping, observe the right rearview mirror. When the rightmost line becomes visible and the distance between the car body and the parking spot corner is less than 30 cm, turn the steering wheel back half a turn to the left. Continue moving, and when the parking spot corner disappears from the lower edge of the right rearview mirror, turn the steering wheel fully to the right again. Observe the right rearview mirror, and when the parking spot line aligns parallel with the car body, quickly straighten the steering wheel and continuously adjust the car body. Observe the left rearview mirror to keep the car body parallel with the parking spot line, and stop when the front line of the parking spot appears in the left mirror position.
This question reminds me of a key point my driving instructor mentioned back when I was learning to drive. Remember, the steering wheel always controls the front wheels. When you turn left while reversing, the front wheels will turn to the left accordingly. However, since the car is moving backward, the front wheels turning left will cause the rear of the car to swing to the right. Beginners often get confused because the movement of the car's rear is opposite to the steering direction. You need to practice more in the parking lot, especially in marked parallel parking spaces. Try turning left and observe how the rear of the car moves to the right—you'll gradually get the hang of it. Remember to keep your eyes on the rearview mirror and back window when steering; it's much more effective than watching the front of the car.
When it comes to steering while reversing, I always emphasize to my novice neighbor: don't overcomplicate it. The wheels turn in the same direction as the steering wheel, whether you're going forward or backward. Turn the wheel left, and the front wheels will obediently veer left. The key point is that the vehicle's movement trajectory changes when reversing - turning the wheels left will make the rear end swing right. The scratch on my garage wall is a lesson from when I didn't understand this. Practice parallel parking a few times to get a feel for the relationship between wheel rotation and body position, and you'll master it quickly. By the way, most new cars now come with rearview cameras - using them together with side mirrors is the safest approach.
