Why Does the Car Lean to the Right When Reversing into a Parking Space?

[GabrielleLee]

If the rear of the car leans to the right when reversing into a parking space, it indicates that the steering wheel was turned too early. In this case, you should straighten the steering wheel and adjust the vehicle. The specific operation is to turn the steering wheel back about half a turn. The closer the car is to the line, the larger the angle of correction should be. When the distance between the tire and the corner is about right, turn the steering wheel fully to complete the parking. If the car has already entered the parking space but needs adjustment, judge based on the distance between the rear of the car and the line. If the rear leans to the right and you want the car to move slightly to the left, turn the steering wheel a bit to the left. If you want to adjust to the right, turn the steering wheel slightly to the right. There are essentially three common scenarios when reversing into a parking space. First: The car is in the space but not aligned correctly, requiring adjustment. Second: The steering wheel was turned too early when straightening. Third: The steering wheel was turned too late when straightening. In simple terms, if the steering wheel is turned too early, correct it early; if turned too late, correct it late. When adjusting the car's position, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to move. After fully turning the steering wheel, check the rearview mirror. When the center of the rear wheel reaches the extension line, turn the steering wheel back half a turn until the car is parallel to the line. Then quickly turn the steering wheel one full turn to straighten, and the car will be properly parked.

[ArabellaLynn]

I've been driving for many years, and the issue of parking slightly to the right when reversing into a space is quite common, mainly due to our visual habits. Most of the time, the driver's posture isn't upright—leaning to the left with the head tilted to look at the right rearview mirror, which subconsciously leads to over-steering to the right, causing the car to veer off. Beginners are particularly prone to this due to lack of experience. When reversing, with no reference on the left, they often feel the right side is safer and end up steering too sharply. The car itself also has a minor influence—for instance, the steering wheel might offer slightly more resistance when turning left compared to the smoother right turn, which is just how it's designed. If the parking space lines are unclear or the ground is sloped, it can further mislead the line of sight. How to fix it? First, sit upright and focus on the centerline of the parking space ahead. Alternate between the left and right rearview mirrors while reversing, and slow down. Practice in an open area with markers to align with, and after a few tries, you can correct the habit. Pay extra attention on days with poor lighting to avoid letting the right field of vision dominate your judgment.

[DeAna]

From a vehicle perspective, the tendency to veer right during reverse parking may be related to steering system characteristics. Steering wheel design typically isn't perfectly symmetrical in left/right rotation - right turns return to center more briskly while left turns have slightly more resistance, making right steering inputs during reversing a natural reaction. Another factor is uneven tire wear, as right tires usually experience more road contact during normal driving, affecting traction and parking trajectory. Weight distribution also matters significantly - a heavy trunk or passengers on the right side can create body tilt that amplifies the rightward tendency. Additionally, aging steering linkage or suspension components can exacerbate this issue, requiring regular inspection. I recommend conducting a simple test in a safe area: perform several empty-vehicle reverse maneuvers while stationary and observe steering wheel return force to identify potential mechanical issues. Never overlook wheel alignment checks during maintenance, as proper alignment improves dynamic balance and naturally reduces parking deviations. Of course, driving habits are crucial - take it slow during each reverse attempt, avoid rushing to park in one move, and make precise angle adjustments for better accuracy.

[LeilaniLee]

I've encountered many instances where reversing into a parking space tends to veer to the right, primarily due to visual misalignment. When you sit in the car and look back, the right-side rearview mirror offers a narrower field of view, making it easy to focus on the corner of the parking space and consequently turn the steering wheel too much to the right. Additionally, lighting conditions play a role—for example, if the garage has brighter lighting on the right side, your eyes may unconsciously drift in that direction. Personal habits also matter; some people naturally lean to the right while holding the steering wheel, leading to poor timing when reversing. Using a reversing camera helps, but if the camera angle isn't properly aligned, the issue persists. A simple solution is to align the car with the centerline of the parking space before reversing, proceed slowly, and alternate between checking the left and right mirrors to confirm distances before making minor adjustments. With a few practice runs, it becomes smoother—don't worry too much about misjudgments.