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