Why is the right side always wider when reversing into the garage on the right?
4 Answers
The reason why the right side is always wider when reversing into the garage on the right is that the steering wheel is turned fully to the left too late. Tips for reversing into the garage: Engage reverse gear, slowly release the clutch pedal, and start reversing the vehicle in a semi-engaged clutch state. After turning the steering wheel fully to the left, observe both side mirrors to adjust the vehicle's position while keeping the clutch semi-engaged, and reverse into the garage. After entering the garage, look at the left rearview mirror and stop when the lower edge of the mirror aligns with the front line of the garage. The reversing process is then completed. Precautions for reversing into the garage: When reversing into the garage, pay attention to the situation behind the car. You can use the assistance of the reversing camera to observe the rear state of the vehicle to avoid scratches during reversing. Additionally, it is important to reduce the speed while reversing.
I used to encounter the issue of the right side being too wide when practicing reverse parking. Later, I realized it was because I turned the steering wheel too early, which caused the car body to not align properly. New drivers tend to get nervous and focus too much on the lines in the rearview mirror. As soon as they see they're getting close to the right line, they turn the wheel sharply, causing the rear of the car to swing too far, the left wheel to get too close, and leaving a large gap on the right. You need to adjust the timing of your turns, like waiting until the rear door handle passes the corner of the parking space before turning the wheel. Don’t rush, take it slow. Also, adjust the angle of your rearview mirrors properly—don’t set them too high or you won’t see the reference points clearly. Practice a few more times to get the feel right. If the parking space is narrow, it’s better to move slightly to the left before reversing in to make it easier to control. Oh, and if the car isn’t parked properly, it’s easy to scrape the rims, so be careful with that.
Having driven for over a decade, I often hear friends complain about leaving too much space on the right when reverse parking, mostly due to habitual bias. Many people subconsciously lean their bodies to the left or adjust their seats to the left, tilting their view and making the right side appear wider when it's actually just right. They should sit straight and check the mirrors; the best time to turn the wheel is when the rear of the car is halfway to the parking space line. Uneven tire pressure on the left and right sides can also affect steering smoothness—if the right side is lower, the car will tend to move that way. Find an open space to practice repeatedly and find the right reference point, focusing on dynamic changes rather than just remembering positions. Parking at night with poor visibility makes it even harder to judge, so moving slowly with the lights on is safer.
When taking on car repair jobs, the owner mentioned that the right-side parking is always too wide to the right. Common causes include misaligned front wheel alignment or excessive steering wheel free play, leading to delayed response during turns. Uneven tire wear could also be the culprit—if the left side is more worn, the car tends to drift right. A simple self-check is to observe the front wheel direction when the car is parked straight; if it's off, a shop adjustment is needed. When reversing, avoid rushing to hit the gas—maintain a steady speed and use reference points in the mirror, such as the rear wheel position. If the parking space has a slope, it may also cause a rightward drift, so practicing on level ground will help significantly.
