How to Remember the Steering Wheel Direction?
2 Answers
Methods to remember the direction of the steering wheel: 1. The position of holding the steering wheel: It is best to hold the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions (i.e., horizontal sides) with both hands, with elbows slightly bent. This allows the arms to have sufficient movement range for quick operation of the steering wheel. Do not grip the steering wheel tightly; instead, hold the outer edge lightly. Many beginners tend to grip the steering wheel too tightly, causing excessive sweating in the hands, which affects the accuracy of movements and can lead to abnormal steering wheel turns when shifting gears. 2. The steering wheel can be turned a maximum of two and a half turns to lock. The steering wheel has a very obvious shape. After adjusting the wheels when the car is parked, observe the shape of the steering wheel. Under normal circumstances, the steering wheel has a very distinct shape. When turning the steering wheel, if this shape completes a full rotation and returns to its original position, it means one full turn has been completed. As for when to return one turn, you need to know how many turns you have made. For example, if you turn the wheel one full turn while reversing and the car body straightens, you need to return one turn when moving forward. In other words, you need to return the same number of turns you made. 3. Every time after parking, get out of the car and check if the front wheels are adjusted. If not, correct them immediately. Strive to adjust them correctly in one go each time, and gradually you will become familiar with the car.
When I first started learning to drive, I struggled with memorizing the left and right directions of the steering wheel and often made mistakes that nearly caused accidents. Later, I found an empty parking lot to specifically practice left and right turns: turning the steering wheel to the left when making a left turn causes the wheels to veer left; turning it to the right when making a right turn. I committed to practicing for half an hour every day, starting at low speeds to gradually build muscle memory. I also combined it with the car's movements—like slowing down before a curve, checking the rearview mirror, and then turning the steering wheel accordingly. After about a month of this, my driving reactions became automatic. Now, it feels like my hands know what to do without my brain having to think about the direction. The key is more practice—don’t just rely on watching videos. Hands-on driving is the most effective and also improves safety.
