How Many Turns to Lock the Steering Wheel in a Car?
2 Answers
Turning the steering wheel to the right until it locks means turning it one and a half turns to the right, and turning it to the left until it locks means turning it one and a half turns to the left. Therefore, turning it back one and a half turns after locking it to the right will straighten the wheels, and the same applies to locking it to the left. If you turn the wheel half a turn to the right, turning it half a turn back in the opposite direction will straighten it. Below are some precautions: 1. If you imagine the steering wheel as a clock face, the correct hand position is to place your left hand between the 9 and 10 o'clock positions and your right hand between the 3 and 4 o'clock positions. In the event of a collision, this posture provides better support for your body. 2. If you only grip the steering wheel with four fingers and place your thumbs along the wheel, when the wheels hit a rock or a high curb, the front wheels may suddenly turn sharply, causing the steering wheel to spin rapidly, which could result in a broken thumb. 3. Improper steering during turns is a common cause of accidents. Therefore, it's best to reduce speed when turning. As you enter a curve, gradually turn the wheel according to the curve's radius. Begin straightening the wheel as the car's front starts to align, and fully straighten it before accelerating again. Remember not to focus on counting the number of steering wheel turns during a turn—focusing solely on the count rather than watching the car's direction can easily lead to accidents.
When turning the steering wheel to full lock in a small car, based on my years of driving experience, most family sedans require about three full turns. For example, my Ford Focus takes exactly one and a half turns from the center position to full lock left or right, totaling three turns. SUVs might require more, like my friend's CR-V which needs three and a half turns to reach full lock. Knowing the number of turns is very useful for parking, helping you easily reverse into a spot. However, avoid frequently turning the wheel to full lock as it can wear out the steering gear, especially when turning on bumpy roads—gentle maneuvers are safer. I always test the number of turns when switching cars; good habits can extend your vehicle's lifespan.
