When to Turn the Steering Wheel for Left and Right Turns?
4 Answers
Timing for turning the steering wheel during left and right turns: 1. For a left turn on a narrow road, turn the wheel when the right front corner of the car aligns with the roadside; on a wide road, you can turn slightly earlier. 2. For a right turn on a narrow road, turn the wheel when the left front corner of the car aligns with the roadside; on a wide road, you can turn slightly earlier. 3. Principle for turning the wheel: gentle turns (turn early, turn slowly; return early, return slowly), sharp turns (turn late, turn quickly; return early, return quickly). 4. During turns, be careful not to scrape the right side or have the rear wheels go off the road, and pay attention to the inner wheel difference. 5. If there are obstacles on the roadside, start turning the wheel when the car is almost parallel with the obstacle. Begin returning the wheel when the car is about to straighten but not completely straight after the turn. 6. Do not wait until the car is completely straight to return the wheel; there is a process from turning the wheel to straightening the car.
I've been driving all my life, and the timing of turning the steering wheel is crucial, especially when making left and right turns. My experience is that you should start turning the steering wheel slowly when the vehicle is about 20 to 30 meters away from the turning point, rather than waiting until you reach the intersection to make a sudden turn. For left turns, I first slow down to a safe speed, then turn left when I see the left-turn line appear, while keeping an eye on oncoming traffic; right turns are similar, but you need to be more careful with pedestrians on the roadside. Speed also affects the timing of turning the wheel—if you're driving fast, turn slightly earlier; if you're driving slowly, turn later but keep it smooth. Remember to look in the direction you want to go; if you spot the exit early during the turn, turning the wheel will naturally be more accurate. A common mistake beginners make is turning too sharply or too late, causing the car to sway. I've honed these skills through practical driving to ensure every turn is safe and comfortable.
As a seasoned driver, I always prioritize safety, emphasizing that steering during turns must be adapted to road conditions. For left turns, gently turn the steering wheel slightly to the left about 40 meters before the intersection to avoid sudden movements. Right turns require more caution—ensure pedestrian safety before beginning to steer right. Speed control is crucial—exceeding 30 km/h necessitates earlier steering to prevent excessive centrifugal force. In practice, I adjust timing based on road markings like turn arrows rather than relying on memory. Weather conditions also matter—on rainy days with slippery roads, steer earlier and with smaller movements. Regular practice of this anticipatory method significantly reduces accident risks and makes driving smoother.
When I first learned to drive, the basic techniques taught by my instructor are still practical today. When turning the steering wheel, start turning when your line of sight aligns with the curve—for a left turn, look left first and then turn the wheel slowly, avoiding turning it all the way at once; the same applies to right turns by looking right first. Generally, it's most stable to start turning when the car body enters the turning line. If the speed is below 20 km/h, turn a bit later but with lighter movements. I've made mistakes before, like turning the wheel too sharply causing the car to drift, but now I understand that anticipation is more important. In real-world scenarios like intersections, traffic light changes also affect timing—don't rush to turn when the light turns green; ensure the surroundings are safe before turning. These simple and practical methods have helped me drive with more confidence.
