When to Turn the Steering Wheel When Reversing Out of a Parking Space?
3 Answers
When reversing out of a parking space, follow these steps to turn the steering wheel: 1. Observe the frontmost part of the car and the boundary line ahead. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left when the front of the car just covers the boundary line. 2. Check the left rear wheel through the left rearview mirror. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left when the left rear wheel just touches the line. 3. As the car is about to straighten, turn the steering wheel back halfway. Let the car move forward about one meter, then turn the steering wheel fully to the left again until reaching the stopping point. Method for reversing into a parking space: 1. First exit: Drive slowly straight. When you see the left rear wheel crossing the line in the left rearview mirror, turn the steering wheel fully to the left (one and a half turns) until the car body is roughly aligned with the path, then hold the steering wheel steady. 2. Second exit: Drive slowly straight. When you see the right rear wheel crossing the line in the right rearview mirror, turn the steering wheel fully to the right (one and a half turns). When the car body is almost parallel to the path, turn the steering wheel back halfway, and fully straighten it when completely parallel.
When I first started learning to drive, the most frustrating part was getting the steering wheel timing right when reversing out of parking spaces. Once I nearly hit a wall - scared me to death! Gradually I figured it out: first keep straight when starting to reverse, then begin turning the wheel only when the rear of the car is almost at the exit position. The direction depends on which side you want to exit - for example, turn right about half a circle if exiting right. Never rush to turn sharply, as it's easy to scrape. Remember to check mirrors and blind spots, and using a reversing camera helps build confidence. After practicing several times, you'll get used to the car's angles. Don't fear mistakes as a beginner - safety comes first. I always make sure there are no people or vehicles around before maneuvering. Being patient leads to faster progress.
Backing out of a parking space has become second nature to me. Experience has taught me that turning the steering wheel too early risks scraping, while turning too late means you won't clear the space. The key is to start turning when the car body begins exiting the parking spot: if turning right, rotate the steering wheel about 90 degrees to the right, adjusting according to the parking space width—narrow spaces may require up to 120 degrees. Frequently check the side and rear with mirrors to monitor how the rear of the car swings. Avoid sharp turns; gentle adjustments work best. Always be mindful of blind spots for pedestrians and make it a habit to walk around the car before moving. Practice makes perfect—try different angles and spaces, and you'll naturally get the timing right.
