How Much Should You Turn the Steering Wheel When Making a Turn?

[LeAubrey]

When turning the steering wheel while driving, there are several key aspects to consider: 1. Turn the steering wheel one full rotation for right turns. Beginners often move the steering wheel (commonly known as "sliding the wheel") instead of properly turning it when making a right turn, which can result in not completing the turn and entering the opposite lane. The smaller the intersection, the greater the angle the steering wheel needs to be turned. Turning the steering wheel insufficiently may lead to entering the opposite lane. Always hold the steering wheel with both hands. For U-turns, turn the steering wheel with your right hand to the 10 o'clock position, using a left-hand-over-right-hand motion; for right turns, use a right-hand-over-left-hand motion. Turn the steering wheel one full rotation for right turns. 2. Turn the steering wheel half a rotation for left turns. Turning the steering wheel too much during a left turn at a large intersection can also lead to entering the opposite lane. Especially when turning left across two or three lanes, turning the steering wheel too much from the right lane can interfere with vehicles turning left from the left lane. The correct method is to initially turn the steering wheel slightly less than half a rotation, and if it feels insufficient, adjust slightly more to find the right amount. 3. Use minimal steering wheel movement when changing lanes. A full rotation of the steering wheel is 360 degrees, and a quarter turn is 90 degrees. Ninety degrees is the angle typically used for left turns. Since there will be vehicles on both sides when changing lanes, and other lanes are for normal traffic flow, turning the steering wheel too much when changing lanes unreasonably encroaches into other lanes, which is both illegal and unreasonable, and may result in full liability in case of an accident. It's important to get used to minimal steering wheel movement, keeping adjustments within a 5 to 10-degree angle.