How to Turn While Driving a Car?
2 Answers
There are several considerations when turning a car, such as whether it's an automatic or manual transmission, and whether you're turning while moving forward or reversing. 1. Automatic Transmission Cars: (1) Turning in an automatic car is relatively easy. There's no need to press the clutch or change gears. Parking is done in P (Park) gear, while temporarily stopping for pedestrians or red lights can be done in N (Neutral) gear. D (Drive) is for moving forward, and S (Sport) is for acceleration mode, which increases engine RPM during high-speed driving and consumes more fuel. When driving forward in D gear, check if there are many people or vehicles ahead or on the sides before turning. Decide whether to brake to reduce speed and steer the wheel in the direction you want to turn. (2) Always check the side mirrors when moving forward or turning to ensure you don't collide with anything on either side. Avoid sticking your head out of the window. You can shift your body slightly to get a better view of potential obstacles like potholes or bollards on the ground. (3) When reversing in an automatic car, first come to a complete stop and shift into R (Reverse) gear without pressing the clutch. Turning while reversing is the opposite of turning while moving forward. Stop the car completely, press the accelerator slowly, and continue steering while moving. For example, to turn left while reversing, steer right—the opposite of forward driving. 2. Manual Transmission Cars (1) For starting and turning in a manual car, such as pulling out of a parking space, you can first turn the steering wheel appropriately. Press the clutch with your left foot and shift into 1st gear. Once in gear, release the clutch and immediately press the accelerator. In 1st gear, press the accelerator slowly with your right foot while continuing to steer in the direction of the turn (e.g., steer left to turn left). (2) When turning at high speed in a manual car, downshift to reduce speed. First, press the brake, then press the clutch and downshift immediately. Assess surrounding traffic to determine how much to slow down. If braking to nearly a stop, downshift to 1st or 2nd gear for a slow turn. If only slightly reducing speed, downshift by one gear, keep your foot lightly on the brake pedal, and pay attention to the sides and front to avoid collisions. (3) When reversing in a manual car, first come to a complete stop. Turning while reversing is the opposite of turning while moving forward. Press the clutch with your left foot and shift into R (Reverse) gear. Once in gear, release the clutch and immediately press the accelerator slowly while continuing to steer (e.g., steer right to turn left—the opposite of forward driving).
I remember being a bit flustered the first time I made a turn while driving. I had to quickly scan the surroundings through the rearview mirror to check for any vehicles or pedestrians, and once I confirmed it was safe, I immediately turned on the indicator to alert other drivers. Then, I reduced the speed to around 20 km/h—best not to brake abruptly to avoid discomfort for passengers. Steering should be steady; avoid jerking the wheel suddenly and instead turn it smoothly for a gradual transition. Throughout the turn, keep an eye on the road ahead and blind spots in case a cyclist suddenly appears, allowing you to react promptly. After completing the turn, avoid accelerating too aggressively—just gently press the throttle to merge back into the main lane. As a beginner, I often forgot to signal or drove too fast, but with more practice, it became second nature. Extra caution is needed during rain or at night, as wet roads increase the risk of skidding, requiring doubled attention. Ultimately, smooth turns rely not on technique alone but on attentiveness and anticipation, ensuring every turn is safe and stress-free.
