when parallel parking how do i know when to start turning the wheel away from the curb?

areon912: when parallel parking how do i know when to start turning the wheel away from the curb?
okay so at first parallel parking was just a breeze and i just did it. and i was talking to my friend about it and he asked me “so how do you know when to turn the wheel away?” and that just took me out of my zone completely. before i just knew but now that i realize i dont know when i always end up hitting the sidewalk or being to far away from it. EVERYTIME! and if you need help with the picture in your head then its like im parallel parking on the right and the wheel is turned all the way to the right once i start backing up. but then i have to turn the wheel to the left to slide into my spot but i have no idea when im supposed to start turning or even how. and my terrible instructor says “just turn like you did before” like isnt he supposed to have some teqniuque to teach me when im supposed to cut the other way!? ughhh just please help me my road test is april 13th and i REALLY dont want to fail :'(

Answers and Views:

Answer by Savannah Guy
It will vary slightly from one size car to another, but here’s the rule of thumb that I learned with:

1) pull up next to the parked car in front of the space you plan to park in so your rear bumpers are even.
2) turn the steering wheel all the way right and reverse slowly
3) when your body (drivers seat) is even with the rear bumper of the car you were next to (when you can look straight across the rear end of the car) straighten the steering wheel.
4) when the front of your car clears the rear of the parked car steer to the left.

Try this and see if it works, I taught my daughters with this method and they passed their tests so I know it does work. If you repeatedly hit the curb, just steer a little less right at number 2 and if you end up too far away don’t steer to the left so quickly at number 4.

Answer by Passfaster
easy. 1 turn in when level. 2 turns out when car at 45 degrees then 1 turn in when in space

Answer by Knut Ursus
By using your eyes and calculating the distance?!

Answer by New Yorker
It comes with practice. Each car will handle a little differently, and each car you’re parking behind won’t necessarily be identical in size. All I can tell you is to just keep practicing in the car you’re taking the road test in, sorry but there’s really no other answer I can think of.