What does tank turn mean?

[OliveLee]

Tank turn is a feature of a vehicle that reduces the turning radius, allowing the vehicle to turn almost in place. Here is a detailed introduction to tank turn: 1. Working principle: The principle is to control the tracks on both sides to drive in opposite directions, enabling the tank to pivot around its center point and achieve an in-place turn. Alternatively, one track can be locked while the other continues to drive normally, allowing the tank to turn around the locked track as the pivot point. 2. Function: It can significantly reduce the vehicle's turning radius, improve its off-road capability, enhance mobility and flexibility, and increase its survival chances on the battlefield.

[VonKylie]

Last time I drove my friend's hardcore off-roader and encountered a narrow path, he directly used the tank turn function. It basically locks the inner rear wheel while the outer wheels spin rapidly, drastically reducing the turning radius! The principle is like using a compass to draw a circle, pivoting around the rear wheel as the center point for an on-the-spot U-turn. This feature is incredibly useful when stuck in sand or navigating sharp mountain bends—models like the Wrangler and Tank 300 have mechanical torque amplification structures, and off-road veterans say it doubles the success rate of getting unstuck. Nowadays, electric vehicles are even more impressive, using four independent motors to control wheel speed separately, enabling 90-degree turns even on washboard roads. But don’t abuse it in the city—the tire-screeching noise sounds like tearing down a house.

[JasmineDella]

I've been into off-road modifications for over a decade, and tank turn is essentially a technique to make the vehicle move sideways. The core principle lies in controlling the reverse differential between left and right tires - during normal turns, outer wheels travel 30% farther than inner wheels. Vehicles like Land Cruiser achieve this by disconnecting the axle to forcibly stop one side's wheels, reducing turning radius by half compared to conventional steering. Once in a riverbed pebble field dead end, this feature saved me from backing up a dozen times. Nowadays domestic brands implement it intelligently - just tapping directional buttons in Terrain Mode automatically calculates slip ratios. But using it on concrete costs half a set of tire money per activation.

[LaKevin]

During my last test drive experience with the Tank 500 at the proving ground, I finally understood why it's called 'tank turn' when the salesperson demonstrated the on-the-spot rotation feature. Essentially, it's an extension of ESP functionality: the system brakes and locks the inner wheels while the outer wheels deliver intense torque output. Electronic control intervention is more responsive than mechanical systems—even BYD's Yangwang U8 can move sideways with this. There are mainly two applications: in off-road mode, the minimum turning radius is just 3.7 meters (compared to at least 5 meters for regular SUVs), and it can save 30% of turning space in urban scenarios. However, three precautions must be noted: 1) Electronic Stability Control must be turned off, 2) It will trigger significant ABS noise, and 3) Avoid using it on gravelly surfaces to prevent drivetrain damage. Using this feature on icy winter roads is where the real thrill lies.

[VonJune]

Last week, I drove the new Bao 5 over a narrow bridge, and my palms were sweaty the first time using this feature. The driver can manually set the rotation angle, and the system controls the diagonal wheels to reverse. The mechanical principle can be understood as an enhanced version of inter-wheel slip control: the left front and right rear wheels rotate forward, while the other two tires rotate backward, giving a feeling like a compass needle digging into the ground. Nowadays, this feature is basically standard on off-road vehicles priced over 200,000 yuan, but fuel-powered vehicles achieve it by disconnecting the transfer case, leading to a sharp increase in fuel consumption; electric vehicles, using hub motors, are much quieter. Remember to use it with extreme caution on asphalt roads! I’ve personally seen someone scrape half-meter-deep grooves into the pavement. Always turn it off immediately after completing the turn, or you risk rolling over during the next curve.

[SanLiam]

When I participated in an off-road race the year before last, the referee said 80% of the retired vehicles lost in the corners. A professional driver taught me that it should actually be called differential lock steering: when the rear axle differential lock is engaged, the active braking system locks one side during cornering. The most impressive part was watching a modified Wrangler perform—with the steering wheel turned to full lock and the throttle applied, the front of the car would precisely carve out a 90-degree angle like a compass. This technique is particularly lifesaving for U-turns on narrow two-lane roads, especially when towing a camping trailer, as it helps avoid scrapes. However, there are three pitfalls to note: only vehicles equipped with differential locks can fully achieve this; wet surfaces are highly prone to fishtailing; and using it three times equals a month's worth of tire wear from normal driving. Definitely don’t try this in rain or snow.