Why is the left side too wide when reversing into the parking space?
3 Answers
Reversing into the parking space with the left side too wide is due to failing to control the distance between the car body and the corner of the parking space. The solution is to turn the steering wheel to the left. The degree of turning depends on the progress of reversing; if the rear of the car is close to the end of the parking space, a larger turn is needed. Once the rear of the car starts to lean to the left, straighten the steering wheel to align the car body. When reversing into the space, you can predict whether the car body will cross the line by observing the position between the car body and the left corner of the parking space through the left rearview mirror. If maintaining the current direction will make the distance between the car body and the corner too narrow, turn the steering wheel back half a circle to widen the distance, then turn the steering wheel fully to the left again. Reversing into the parking space is a mandatory test item for obtaining a small car driver's license, assessing the driver's ability to operate the car in a confined space.
After driving for so many years, I've found that the left side being too wide when reversing into a parking space is often due to turning the steering wheel too late or too sharply, causing the car's position to misalign with the parking spot. The key lies in the preparation before reversing—first, park the car about one meter directly in front of the parking space to ensure the car body is parallel to the space, otherwise, any minor deviation will be magnified. When reversing, do it slowly and at a steady speed; steering wheel movements should be decisive but not too hasty—for example, after turning the steering wheel to the right, pause briefly to check the distance on the left. Also, the angle of vision is crucial—don't just rely on the rearview mirror; turn your head to look back at the situation behind the car. Practicing more in different garages to get a feel for the car's dynamics will help you gradually master the timing and avoid the issue of the left side being too wide, making driving safer and more reassuring.
From the perspective of vehicle steering principles, a wider left side when reversing may stem from an improperly adjusted initial angle. When the rear wheels of the vehicle enter the parking space, if you turn the steering wheel to the right too slowly in advance, the front wheels' swing will push the body to the left, exacerbating the increase in left-side space. The enclosed space of the garage limits the room for correction, so it's essential to ensure the vehicle body is perfectly parallel to the parking space from the very beginning of reversing. Speed control is also crucial—going too fast will amplify errors, while moving slowly allows for finer steering adjustments. Differences in vehicle dimensions also affect the operation, requiring different strategies for adjusting the timing of steering wheel turns between small and large vehicles. Through continuous practice, I've learned to repeatedly verify the position and angle before reversing.
