How much should the steering wheel generally turn?
4 Answers
Turning the steering wheel generally requires a 90-degree rotation. Correct hand position for steering: A full turn of the steering wheel is 360 degrees, and a quarter turn is 90 degrees. You can think of the steering wheel as a clock. The correct hand position is to place the left hand near the 9 o'clock position and the right hand near the 3 o'clock position. To turn 90 degrees, rotate the wheel a full turn and then an additional quarter turn. Steering techniques: Beginners practicing steering don't need to worry about the exact degrees of rotation. Just follow the principle of 'turn as much as you need to return, turn less for less return, turn slowly for slow return, turn more for more return, and turn quickly for quick return.' As for how much to turn, you can judge by the steering wheel markings or simply adjust based on the direction of the car's front and body.
There's no fixed standard answer to this question. After driving for twenty years, I feel it entirely depends on the actual situation. Making a U-turn on a narrow road might require turning the steering wheel to full lock, close to half a turn or more; for smooth turns like highway exit roundabouts, just moving it thirty or forty degrees may suffice. The key is to leave some margin for easy adjustments at any time, especially when turning in rain or snow—slow down in advance and turn the wheel less for more stability. A common mistake beginners make is gripping the steering wheel too tightly during turns; actually, holding both sides lightly and letting it turn naturally with the speed is enough. I often remind my family to look further ahead when turning, and the steering will be just right.
I drive a ride-hailing car in the city every day and have noticed that steering during turns mainly depends on three factors: speed, road width, and vehicle length. When making a right turn at a congested intersection at low speed, turning the wheel about 90 degrees is usually enough; cruising at 60 km/h on an elevated highway curve requires roughly 60 degrees of steering. However, many cars now have power steering, making it much easier to turn. It's advisable to develop the habit of checking the mirrors before turning, so you can avoid any e-bikes that might cut in. Also, there's quite a difference between vehicle models—my friend's sedan requires much less steering input than my MPV.
Based on driving school training experience, the steering angle is related to road camber. A quarter turn (90 degrees) is generally sufficient for a normal right turn, but an additional 15 degrees is needed on steep slope curves to prevent the vehicle from drifting outward. Avoid jerky steering movements when cornering; it's recommended to use the push-pull technique for smoother operation. After each turn, allow the steering wheel to return to center naturally to prevent uneven tire wear caused by prolonged one-sided steering. Regular inspection of power steering fluid is essential, as insufficient assist will make steering particularly heavy.
