Can You Apply Some Brake in an S-Curve?

[ElliottMarie]

You can apply some brake in an S-curve, but you should not come to a complete stop. Here are the relevant details: The S-curve technique: There is a mnemonic for navigating an S-curve, which is "Left point aligns with right line, right point aligns with left line." The left and right points refer to the top corners of the car's front. This means when turning in a particular direction, use the corresponding corner of the car to follow the edge line of the opposite direction. For example, if approaching a left turn, align the left corner of the car with the right edge line, and once contact is made, continue driving along that angle until the curve is completed, then straighten the wheel. Precautions: Before entering the curve, reduce speed in advance. Driving too fast makes it difficult to observe and steer simultaneously, increasing the risk of crossing the line and failing. Additionally, follow the principle of taking the outer line—choose the path with the largest turning radius whenever possible. For instance, when preparing for a left turn, keep the vehicle to the right side of the road.

[Hudson]

Having driven heavy trucks for over twenty years, I always slow down well before an S-curve. Braking in the middle of a turn can easily cause a rollover. When the center of gravity shifts to one side and you hit the brakes, the front wheels bear too much load, weakening the rear wheels' grip—especially for loaded trucks, which are more prone to fishtailing. I remember once on a rainy day on a mountain road, I didn’t slow down enough before entering a curve. The moment I lightly tapped the brakes, the rear wheels started skidding, and the steering wheel couldn’t even keep control. Since then, I always check the speedometer before any turn. For uphill sections, I start braking 200 meters early, and for downhill sections, I rely on gear control. If you really need to slow down mid-turn, use light taps—no more than a second—and straighten the steering wheel slightly to stabilize the vehicle.

[Jon]

I usually commute in a sedan and often take those continuous curves on urban expressways. It's okay to brake while turning, but it needs to be very light and gentle. Last time, I tried driving a friend's SUV and lightly tapped the brakes at 40 mph on an S-curve. The vehicle's nose-diving was noticeable, and my colleague in the back almost hit the armrest. It's advisable to reduce the speed to below 30 before entering the curve and let the steering wheel turn naturally with the curve. If you find the speed slightly fast, gently hold the brake but don't stomp on it, as activating the ABS could affect steering. Also, remember to glance at the rearview mirror when turning, especially on wet roads in the rain, as braking while the rear tires' grip changes can easily cause skidding.

[SanQuinn]

A friend who races in rally taught me the technique for navigating S-curves: brake to a stop before entering the curve on the track, then apply throttle during the curve. However, daily driving is different—light braking is acceptable but must be coordinated with throttle control. The principle is that braking shifts the weight forward, increasing the load on the front wheels, which can affect steering precision. For consecutive turns, light braking should be done during the brief straight sections between curves—the gaps between two turns. For example, in an S-curve like those on highway ramps, the most stable approach is to lightly tap the brakes before entering the second curve to adjust speed. Keep the steering wheel turning smoothly, and if an unexpected situation arises, apply the brakes while making minor steering corrections, keeping the adjustment within 10 degrees.

[MacAsher]

When driving a new energy vehicle through an S-curve, special attention must be paid to the energy recovery system. During a test drive of an electric car last week, it was observed that the automatic deceleration upon releasing the accelerator was particularly disadvantageous in continuous curves. Applying brakes when entering the first curve was manageable, but as soon as the brakes were released to steer into the second curve, the sudden intervention of energy recovery caused an excessive drop in speed, making passengers feel dizzy. With such vehicles, braking through S-curves should be more gentle, and it's best to use the one-pedal mode to control the speed. For traditional fuel-powered vehicles, it's recommended to lightly apply the brakes in the first half of the curve and then switch to pressing the accelerator in the second half to maintain power, ensuring the vehicle follows a smooth turning trajectory.