Is Turning the Car Key Counterclockwise to Turn Off the Engine?
2 Answers
Normally, turning the car key counterclockwise will switch it to the ACC position, and turning it one more position will turn off the engine. Below are the relevant details: 1. Car Ignition Switch: Turning the key to the ACC position can also be considered as turning off the engine, but it only partially powers on some electrical components. The car ignition switch has four positions: START, ON, ACC, and LOCK. After locking the car, the key will be in the LOCK state, which not only locks the steering wheel but also cuts off all power to the vehicle. The ACC state powers on some of the car's electrical devices, such as the CD player and air conditioning. During normal driving, the key is in the ON state, where all circuits in the vehicle are operational. The START position is for engine ignition, and after starting, it automatically returns to the normal ON position. 2. Precautions: It is extremely dangerous to turn the key to shut off the engine while the car is in motion. If the vehicle is a manual transmission, turning the key to shut off the engine while driving will cause the power steering to fail, making it difficult or impossible to steer the vehicle and control its direction.
Regarding the issue of turning the key counterclockwise, I'd like to share some practical insights from years of driving experience. Whether a single counterclockwise turn of the car key shuts off the engine depends on the current key position and the vehicle model. Typically, in most cars with traditional key ignition systems, if the engine is already running, turning the key counterclockwise once moves it from the ON position to the ACC position—this stops the engine but keeps electrical devices operational. To completely shut off the engine and all power, you need to turn the key counterclockwise all the way back to the OFF position. However, some cars are designed differently. For instance, modern vehicles with push-button start don't require this operation. For traditional cars, I recommend developing a habit of checking: after parking, always turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF mark to ensure everything is powered down, preventing unnecessary battery drain or safety issues. This practice ensures both safety and peace of mind.
