When is the right time to steer during a car turn?
3 Answers
Steering timing for car turns: For left turns when the road appears narrow, turn the steering wheel when the right corner of the car's front aligns tangentially with the roadside. For wider left turns, you can steer earlier. For right turns on narrow roads, turn the steering wheel when the left front of the car aligns tangentially with the roadside. For wider right turns, steering can be done in advance. Turning precautions: 1. Always reduce speed when turning and avoid rapid steering to prevent skidding. If the car skids, immediately release the accelerator pedal and steer toward the side where the rear wheels are skidding. Once the car stabilizes, straighten the steering wheel and continue driving. 2. Avoid using the brake pedal during turns, especially emergency braking.
The key to turning the steering wheel lies in preparing in advance, don't wait until you're already in the turn to start. From my driving experience, you should signal and slightly turn the steering wheel about 50 meters before the intersection. This gives both others and yourself enough reaction time. The faster the speed, the earlier you should act; for example, when entering or exiting highway curves, slow down to below 40km/h in advance while checking blind spots to ensure no cars or pedestrians are present. During rainy days or at night when visibility is poor, turn even earlier to avoid losing control. Regular practice on urban curves will make the rhythm feel more comfortable. Remember, safety first—never turn blindly just to save time.
When turning the steering wheel, I think it depends on the curvature of the bend and your speed. Personally, I've observed that on regular bends, it's best to start turning about 20 meters before the entry point, maintaining a steady speed. For sharp bends, like hairpin turns on mountain roads, you need to prepare even earlier, possibly signaling and slowing down 30 meters out. Also, pay attention to the entry angle: for left turns, stay slightly to the right before turning, and the opposite for right turns. When changing lanes or entering/exiting on highways, turn decisively but gently—avoid sharp turns. Driving often on rural roads, these small techniques have made my turns smoother and helped avoid bumps.
