What gear should be used for a U-turn?
2 Answers
Use first gear for a U-turn, as this requires slowing down to better ensure driving safety. Conditions under which U-turns are permitted: Presence of U-turn traffic lights or signs: When there is a U-turn traffic light at an intersection, a U-turn can be made when the U-turn indicator is green; if there is a U-turn sign or a U-turn indicator on the lane, a U-turn can be made while ensuring the safety of oneself and others. No U-turn sign but left turns are allowed (no prohibition of U-turn signs): Vehicles can make a U-turn at intersections where left turns are permitted and there are no signs or markings prohibiting U-turns. It is important to note that vehicles should proceed according to the left-turn signal without affecting the normal flow of other vehicles. If making a U-turn at an intersection with a left-turn waiting zone, you can first enter the left-turn waiting zone when the straight signal is green and wait until the left-turn signal turns green to make the U-turn. U-turns are allowed at dashed lines: Whether it is a white or yellow dashed line, U-turns are permitted. If it is a double yellow line (one solid and one dashed), check if your side is the dashed line. If it is, a U-turn can be made safely; if it is solid, U-turns are not allowed. At intersections with double yellow lines, U-turns can be made from the dashed side, but you must not cross the stop line ahead. U-turns are allowed at yellow grid lines: Parking is prohibited in yellow grid areas, but as long as there is no central barrier, you can make a U-turn here after yielding to normally moving vehicles. U-turns can be made on the dashed side of a green belt: When the front of the green belt is a dashed line, vehicles on that side can make a U-turn from there. When the front of the green belt is a solid line, vehicles must follow the traffic signal and cross the zebra crossing before making a U-turn. Driving over solid lines or zebra crossings to make a U-turn is prohibited. Precautions for U-turns: When making a U-turn, the left turn signal should be activated in advance, the maximum speed should not exceed 30 km/h, and it should not hinder other normally moving vehicles or pedestrians.
When I first got my driver's license, I used to sweat nervously when making U-turns at intersections. My instructor repeatedly taught me to shift into 1st gear because the low gear allows the car to slow down, providing sufficient torque for a steady turn and avoiding stalling or losing control. Once, in a panic, I tried it in 3rd gear, resulting in engine lugging and stuttering, nearly hitting the curb, which scared me badly. Since then, every time I make a U-turn, I always slow down to 10-15 km/h, smoothly shift into 1st gear as naturally as going down stairs. After driving for over a year, I've gradually gotten used to this rhythm: first check the rearview mirror for safety, signal with the turn indicator, then shift into a low gear and turn easily. Safety first is the core principle, especially during the novice period—find an open space to practice more, making gear shifting muscle memory, which saves a lot of trouble in narrow streets or crowded cities.
