What does 'Borrow One, Return Two' mean in driving?
2 Answers
'Borrow One, Return Two' refers to turning the steering wheel one full turn to the right while moving forward, causing the car body to shift to the right. Once the car body is properly adjusted, quickly turn the steering wheel two full turns to the left. The purpose of 'Borrow One, Return Two': 'Borrow One, Return Two' can be used both when driving forward and reversing. The goal is to quickly straighten a tilted car body. By turning the steering wheel one full turn to the right while moving forward, the car body shifts to the right. Once adjusted, quickly turn the steering wheel two full turns to the left, causing the car to start moving left. When the car body is straight, stop the car, and the car body will be perfectly aligned. If you only turn the steering wheel one full turn to the right and the car moves right, but only turn one full turn back to the left after adjustment, the tires may be straight, but the car will still tilt to the right, making it impossible to straighten the car body. Therefore, when adjusting the car body, turning one full turn to the left requires at least two full turns back to straighten the car body; otherwise, it won't be possible. The purpose of 'Wide Turn, Narrow Return': 'Wide Turn, Narrow Return' is used to adjust the vehicle's position, ensuring the car is centered within the parking space. When reversing into a parking spot, observe through the left and right rearview mirrors. For example, if the left rearview mirror shows a wider distance from the adjacent car while the other side is closer, turn the steering wheel toward the wider side. When both sides appear equally distant, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. This is where 'Borrow One, Return Two' comes into play—turning toward the narrower side and straightening the car body before reversing straight back.
In my many years of driving, I've often heard people talk about the term 'borrow one, pay back two,' which is essentially a big trap in car loans. You think you're just borrowing a small amount to drive a new car, but the interest is ridiculously high, and in the end, you end up paying more than double the total amount. For example, the down payment might only be a few thousand, but after years of monthly payments, the actual money you shell out could buy two cars. I fell for it when I was younger—I was tempted by a zero down payment option and almost went bankrupt. That's why I always advise people not to act impulsively; before buying a car, always calculate the annual percentage rate (APR) and compare multiple loan options. Safe driving isn't just about skill—it also requires financial savvy.
