Which way to turn the steering wheel when reversing to the left?
3 Answers
When reversing to the left, turn the steering wheel to the left. The functions of the steering wheel are: 1. To control the direction of the car and the steering wheels, allowing the car to drive straight or turn; 2. To help diagnose car faults. Precautions for using the steering wheel: 1. When driving at high speed, reduce the angle of steering wheel rotation; 2. When the middle of the vehicle has passed the center line, straighten the steering wheel; 3. When the front of the car is aligned with the center line of the lane, straighten the steering wheel. Precautions for reversing: 1. Adjust the rearview mirror inside the car properly; 2. Pay attention to both left and right rearview mirrors simultaneously; 3. Control the speed effectively; 4. Stop and wait promptly when there are pedestrians or oncoming vehicles; 5. Use the reversing camera to judge the accurate distance.
When I first learned to drive, I was always confused about the steering direction when reversing. To reverse to the left, you have to turn the steering wheel to the right—this is crucial to remember. Why? Because when reversing, the wheel direction is reversed: turning the steering wheel to the right makes the front wheels turn right, pushing the rear of the car to the left. At first, I often turned it wrong and almost scraped the wall. My instructor scolded me, saying to check the rearview mirror more and gently apply the throttle to slowly find the right position. Beginners should find an empty space to practice—start with straight-line reversing, get comfortable, and then try turning. Don’t rush into real-world scenarios too soon. Safety first—watch out for blind spots in heavy traffic, turn on hazard lights to alert others, and check for scratches after reversing. With more practice, muscle memory will develop.
Years of driving experience have taught me that when reversing to the left, you should turn the steering wheel to the right—make the move decisive but not too forceful. Turning the wheel right makes the wheels twist right, naturally causing the rear of the car to slide left. Often in narrow residential lanes, just turning the wheel isn't enough; you need to combine it with observation: check the distance in the left mirror and prevent scrapes with the right mirror. If necessary, lightly tap the brakes to control speed. Beginners tend to oversteer, which can misalign the car. My advice is to start simple—practice reverse parking first, using fixed reference points, then move on to uphill reversing. The key is to get familiar with the car's feel—don't rely on electronic aids, real driving is manual.
