Should You Press the Accelerator When Turning or Making a U-Turn?
2 Answers
It depends on the situation. Whether to press the accelerator depends on the vehicle's current speed. If the speed is too high, you should not only avoid pressing the accelerator but also need to brake to slow down when turning or making a U-turn. However, if the speed is very slow, gently pressing the accelerator can increase the speed and prevent a manual transmission vehicle from stalling. The following are precautions for turning and making U-turns: Control speed: The first thing to note when turning is not to brake during the turn, as this can easily lead to loss of control, skidding, or even rolling over. You should reduce the speed to an appropriate level before entering the turn. Avoid coasting into turns: Try not to coast into turns, especially U-turns. When coasting, the engine cannot restrain the wheels' movement, and the car is essentially moving by inertia. All braking and steering operations are significantly less effective in this state.
I've pondered for years whether to step on the accelerator when turning or making U-turns. It basically depends on speed and situation: at low speeds on regular curves, I usually release the accelerator and rely on braking to slow down for more stable and comfortable steering; but when exiting high-speed curves, like highway bends, gently pressing the accelerator to maintain power helps with smoother transitions. For U-turns, especially at small urban intersections, I enter the turn slowly without using the accelerator, only adding a bit after halfway through to prevent stalling or to accelerate out of the turn. Manual transmission cars require more skill, coordinating the clutch and accelerator well to avoid jerking or stalling. In heavy traffic, proper throttle control can save fuel—it's a habit I've developed over time, making driving both safe and economical.
