How to Drive Straight?
4 Answers
Keeping the steering wheel steady is crucial to avoid making the car zigzag due to nervous hand tremors. For example, using the center line of the road, the roadside line, curbs, or large trees along the roadside can help maintain straight driving over time. It's important to focus your gaze far ahead, as this makes it easier to detect if you're veering off course.
When I first started driving, I always swerved like a dragon. Later I realized the key lies in vision! You need to look farther ahead, focusing on the end of the road instead of just staring 3-4 meters in front of the hood. Hold the steering wheel lightly, like carrying a tray—don’t death-grip it, and keep your thumbs outside the spokes. If you feel the car drifting, make slight adjustments; don’t jerk the wheel suddenly. The steering itself has some play, so you don’t need to constantly move it. The faster you go, the lighter the steering feels—easing off the speed slightly makes it easier to control. Practice your feel on open roads with fewer straight sections, and gradually, it’ll become muscle memory.
Besides hand techniques, adjusting the seat to the right position is also crucial. Keep your back firmly against the seatback and hold the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions for maximum stability. If you notice the car veering to the right while driving, gently steer half a centimeter to the left; if it's veering left, steer slightly to the right—like fine-tuning on a balance beam. It's especially important not to grip the steering wheel too tightly. Drivers with sweaty hands should consider using anti-slip covers. On rainy days, road reflections can easily impair judgment; cracking the window slightly to listen for tire line sounds can effectively aid in correcting deviations.
Tire condition is crucial! A car with underinflated or unevenly worn tires will naturally drift to one side. Before setting off, walk around the car to check tire pressure, and on level ground, release the steering wheel to see if it pulls to one side. If you encounter crosswinds causing body sway on the highway, stay calm—firmly grip the steering wheel and ease off the throttle slightly. A veteran driver shared a tip with me: glancing at the road edge lines with peripheral vision makes it easier to maintain a straight path than focusing on the central divider.
