How Much to Turn the Steering Wheel When Making a Left Turn?
2 Answers
Generally, you should turn the steering wheel one full rotation for a left turn. For small intersections, turn the wheel one full rotation and adjust the angle slightly if necessary. For larger intersections, start with half a turn of the steering wheel and adjust the angle as needed. Additional details are as follows: 1. Avoid turning too early or too late: Turning too early may make it difficult for the inner wheels to pass through, while turning too late risks the outer front wheels running off the road or hitting obstacles. The correct turning method is to drive close to the outer line and slightly adjust the steering wheel when nearing the line, then straighten the wheel and continue driving. If you anticipate not being able to pass in one go, turn the wheel back immediately when the front wheels approach the outer line, press the clutch pedal, and stop to prepare for reversing. 2. Do not turn at high speed: High-speed turning can cause the car to skid or drift, and in severe cases, lead to accidents. For gentle turns, steer early and slowly, and return the wheel early and slowly. For sharp turns, steer late and quickly, and return the wheel early and quickly. The steering angle is larger for sharp turns and smaller for gentle turns. The left hand primarily controls the turn using a wrist-rotation technique, with the right hand providing auxiliary support.
There's no fixed standard for the steering wheel turning angle when making a left turn—it mainly depends on road conditions. When I'm driving a small car through a turn, at narrow intersections I usually need to turn the wheel about three-quarters to a full rotation. As the car's nose approaches the target lane, I start straightening the wheel to avoid crossing into the opposite lane. For wider intersections, about half a rotation is sufficient, but you need to control your speed below 30km/h—steering input and speed should be coordinated. Also pay attention to turning radius: for sharp turns like U-turns, you'll need full lock, while regular left turns typically require 45 to 90 degrees of steering. The safest approach is to monitor your inner wheels in the mirrors to ensure they don't cross the lane markings.
