How Many Turns to Fully Turn the Steering Wheel?
2 Answers
Steering wheel fully turned is generally two to two and a half turns. Turning the steering wheel to the end in the counterclockwise or clockwise direction is called fully turning the steering wheel. More information is as follows: Do not continuously fully turn the steering wheel: When the vehicle is turning, if the steering wheel is fully turned, the power steering pump pressure will increase several times or even higher. Continuously fully turning the steering wheel will shorten the life of the power steering pump more quickly, so do not continuously fully turn the steering wheel. Techniques for turning the steering wheel: Follow the principle of "turn as much as you return, turn less and return less, turn slowly and return slowly, turn more and return more, turn quickly and return quickly" to ensure the direction is correct. If you are not sure which side to turn, you can observe the direction the car is moving when moving forward.
Having driven for a lifetime, I can say that turning the steering wheel to full lock is usually about 1.5 to 2 turns, but it depends on the car model. For example, older cars sometimes require 2.5 turns, while modern compact cars typically stop at 1.5 turns. This design difference stems from variations in the steering systems—some cars have a smaller steering ratio, requiring fewer turns, which makes navigating tight corners easier. When I was younger and often drove long distances, full-lock steering was commonly used in U-turns. However, I advise against holding it at full lock for too long, as it can wear out the steering gear or cause rapid tire wear. I remember once reversing with full lock and accidentally hitting a rock, which punctured a hole in the tire, costing quite a bit for repairs. So, in daily driving, I usually turn to about 90% of full lock and then ease back a bit—it’s safer and more worry-free. Knowing your car’s full-lock turns is important; you can count them by turning the wheel in an open space. Beginners should practice this more.
