How to Control Speed When Turning?
4 Answers
Methods for controlling speed when turning include: 1. For left turns, first activate the turn signal, and stay as close to the center of the road as possible during the turn to facilitate vehicles behind and those making right turns; 2. For right turns, first activate the turn signal, turn slowly, and be mindful of the impact of the inner wheel difference to prevent the right rear wheel from going off the road and scraping pedestrians or obstacles; 3. When turning at gate entrances or exits, pay special attention to debris piled on the roadside, slow down gradually, honk, and indicate the direction of travel with turn signals or hand gestures; 4. When turning on narrow roads, the driver should honk before starting the turn based on road conditions, reduce speed, and proceed slowly; 5. When turning on steep slopes, shift to a lower gear in advance to ensure sufficient climbing power and avoid shifting gears during the turn to prevent accidents.
I drive for ride-hailing and navigate city corners daily. The key to corner speed control is anticipation! About 50 meters before the bend, ease off the throttle and lightly brake to reduce speed to a safe range. Focus on the bend's sharpness—reduce speed by 30% more in rain or snow. Steer smoothly into the turn; avoid sharp movements to prevent losing control. Gradually straighten and accelerate only when the exit is visible. Rear-wheel-drive cars especially—don’t floor it mid-turn, or the tail will swing out (personal experience). Newbies: practice corners with music off to focus on tire and engine sounds for better car feel.
As a seasoned driver who frequently navigates mountain roads, controlling speed during turns emphasizes the 'outside-inside-outside' technique. Before entering the turn, stay close to the outer edge of the road to reduce speed, cut to the inner side at the turning point to minimize steering angle, and naturally glide outward when exiting the turn to accelerate. On gravel bends, keep speed below 30 km/h, while around 40 km/h is more stable on asphalt roads. For long downhill curves, it's advisable to shift to a lower gear and use engine braking to avoid overheating and failure of the brakes. Last week, I saw a young driver slam on the brakes mid-turn and almost flip into a ditch, so always keep your line of sight one curve ahead of your wheels—focusing on the distance ahead ensures overall control.
Rally racing experience: The key to corner speed control is the ballet of your right foot. Before entering the corner, quickly tap the brakes to reduce speed, maintain throttle during corner entry to shift weight forward and increase front-wheel grip, and glance at the tachometer to stay within the torque range while steering. For right-angle corners, it's recommended to first counter-steer and then turn normally to reduce steering angle. Don't be stingy with the throttle when exiting the corner, but be more cautious of understeer in cars with stiff anti-roll bars. Remember, higher tire pressure makes cornering sharper but increases the risk of skidding. It's advisable to practice this method in a closed area first.
