Which way to adjust if reversing is too wide or too narrow?

[LeCaden]

When reversing into a parking space, steer towards the side that is wider. If the left side is wider, turn the steering wheel to the left; if the right side is wider, turn the steering wheel to the right. Below are some precautions for reversing into a parking space: 1. Reverse from the left side: Try to reverse from the left side as it is easier for the driver to observe. During the reversing process, first look behind, then pay attention to the side mirrors. 2. Observe the rear situation: Before reversing, check the situation behind the car, estimate the reversing path, and determine whether the front of the car will hit any obstacles. Especially when the steering wheel is turned significantly, the turning radius of the car's steering wheels is larger than that of the rear wheels, and the front of the car will swing outward more during reversing. Be sure to avoid scraping the front of the car at this time.

[OElizabeth]

When reversing the car, if you notice the rear is too wide, meaning it's too far from the nearby obstacle, you should steer the wheel towards the obstacle to bring the rear closer. If it's too narrow, meaning too close to the obstacle, steer the wheel in the opposite direction to create some distance. I remember when I first learned to drive, I often mixed up this rule and ended up scraping the wall a few times. Later, with more practice in reverse parking and slowly adjusting the direction while watching the rearview mirror, it became much easier to avoid mistakes. It's best to maintain a low speed while reversing, making small corrections at a time, and avoid sudden or sharp turns. When practicing parking, choose a spacious spot. If there are other cars nearby, stop completely and assess the situation before moving to prevent scratches or hitting someone. Safety first—once you develop the habit, you'll adjust instinctively.

[NadiaRose]

Misjudging the width when reversing is a common issue, and I think it's particularly frustrating for beginners. For example: when you're backing into a parking space, if the rear of the car drifts too far left (meaning there's more space on the right), you should turn the steering wheel to the left to shift the rear rightward; conversely, if it's too close to the right and near the wall, you should steer right to create more distance. When I first started driving, I often got this logic wrong until my instructor taught me a handy phrase—'wide turn near, narrow turn far'—and with practice, I gradually got the hang of it. Using the rearview mirrors effectively is crucial during reversing; don't just focus on one side, but glance at both sides and the rearview mirror to make fine adjustments. It helps to practice in an open space several times, starting with small width errors to build confidence, which makes handling tight spots much easier later on.

[SanDaniela]

Steering corrections while reversing are actually quite straightforward. If the space is too wide, turn the steering wheel toward the target you want to get closer to—for example, if the rear of the car is too far from the right curb, steer left. If it's too narrow, turn the opposite way to avoid getting too close. The principle lies in the wheels guiding the rear of the car. Keep movements slow and subtle, avoiding sudden jerks. When teaching friends to drive, I recommend pausing and adjusting in small steps during reversing instead of making continuous, erratic turns. Also, properly adjusted mirrors help minimize blind spots, and a backup camera is useful—but don’t rely on it entirely. Stay steady, and with a bit of practice, it’ll become second nature.