What Causes the Right Rear Wheel to Cross the Line in an S-Curve?
4 Answers
There are two scenarios where the rear wheel crosses the line when exiting an S-curve: one is when the steering wheel is not straightened, causing the car to continue turning, and the other is when the car body leans too far to the right during the turn, leading to crossing the line. Additionally, if the car body is halfway out of the line, you can straighten the wheel and drive away directly. Below are more related details: Precautions for Subject 2 (Parking and Maneuvering): 1. There is no time limit for starting after getting in the car. First, close the door and check if the door light turns off—this is crucial. 2. Press the clutch pedal all the way down with your left foot and hold it steady. Use your right hand to grip the steering wheel while adjusting the seat with your left hand until your left foot is slightly bent and able to exert force. Also, test the seat's stability by moving it back and forth. 3. Adjust the backrest to a 90-degree angle to your body and check its stability. Then, place your hand on your head to measure if the height matches your usual practice. If it's too low, use a seat cushion to adjust. 4. Adjust the left and right rearview mirrors to the correct positions. For the left mirror: position the horizon at the centerline of the mirror and adjust the car body to occupy 1/4 of the mirror's image. For the right mirror: position the horizon at 2/3 of the mirror's height and adjust the car body to occupy 1/4 of the image. Before the reverse parking test, you have a chance to fine-tune the mirrors—adjust them downward until you can see the rear bumper and the wheel arch above the rear wheels. 5. After fastening the seatbelt, test the clutch again. Press it all the way down with your left foot, ensuring your left foot is slightly bent and can exert force. If not, readjust. Then test the brake and accelerator to confirm everything is normal before starting the test.
The year I got my driver's license, I also kept having issues with the right rear wheel crossing the line in S-curves. It was probably because I turned the steering wheel too early or too late. A common problem for beginners is not controlling the steering wheel properly—the front of the car enters the turn, but the rear wheels' trajectory hasn't caught up yet, especially during right turns where the car tends to swing outward. It gets worse at higher speeds; the car drifts outward, and the rear wheels run along the line. I recommend practicing to develop a sense of rhythm—drive slower, look at the distant curve instead of staring at the wheels. This way, muscle memory kicks in, and you'll cross the line much less. Practice a few more rounds of reverse parking and curve driving exercises, and you'll surely get the hang of it. Practice makes perfect!
Pressing the right rear wheel in an S-curve is mostly due to not controlling the speed well. If you go too fast, the centrifugal force will pull the car outward. I've taught many students who only focus on steering and forget to slow down when turning, causing the car to drift and the rear wheel to naturally cross the line. At the beginner stage, it's recommended to practice at medium to low speeds, around 20-30 km/h, leaving some buffer time for steering. At the same time, pay attention to the overall posture of the car body, and steer the wheel steadily without being too aggressive. Once you've practiced enough, you'll be able to handle the driving test with ease. Safety first, take your time and don't rush.
Long-wheelbase vehicles tend to behave this way, where the front wheels and steering wheel make small movements during turns, while the rear wheels show significant trajectory deviation. For example, SUVs or sedans in curves often have their right rear wheels cross the line due to design characteristics, and inexperienced drivers may struggle to control this, amplifying the issue. Practicing more on simulated curves a few times can greatly improve the situation.
