Why is one side wider and the other narrower when reversing into a parking space?
2 Answers
The main reason for one side being wider and the other narrower when reversing into a parking space is the incorrect timing of steering wheel operation. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Steering too early: When the steering wheel is turned too early during right-side reversing, the wheels will be closer to the corner of the parking space, resulting in a left-wide and right-narrow situation after parking. 2. Steering too late: When the steering wheel is turned too late, the parked vehicle will exhibit a left-narrow and right-wide condition after reversing into the space. 3. Reverse parking: Also known as reverse pole or pole test, this is an assessment point in driver's tests where the examinee must correctly reverse the vehicle into a garage space from both sides while in motion. It primarily evaluates the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle in confined spaces and their spatial awareness during vehicle movement.
When I first learned to reverse park, I often ended up with one side too wide and the other too narrow, which was quite embarrassing. The problem was turning the steering wheel too early or too late, causing the car to enter at an angle. If the left wheel got too close, the space became narrow, and naturally, the right side would be wide. The reason might be the nervousness of a beginner, not accurately aligning with the reference points in the rearview mirror. My suggestion is to first stop the car steadily before reversing, align with the center line of the parking space, then start slowly controlling the speed without stepping on the accelerator too quickly. If you turn the steering wheel a bit early, just adjust it back slightly, coordinating with the reference lines from the rear window. With more practice, it gets much better. Remember, parking is a skill; patience and slow practice to get the feel are key. Don't worry, everyone makes mistakes at the beginning.
