Will the Rear Wheels Turn When Steering a Car?
2 Answers
When steering a car, the rear wheels do not turn directly, but they can be indirectly controlled by the front wheels. Rear wheel steering systems are divided into: passive rear wheel steering and active rear wheel steering. Passive Rear Wheel Steering: Hard rubber blocks are installed at certain connection points between the rear suspension and the vehicle body. When the car turns, causing uneven compression on the left and right sides of the suspension, these rubber blocks deform under pressure, resulting in a change in the rear wheel alignment (toe angle), thereby achieving rear wheel steering. Active Rear Wheel Steering: The vehicle's computer collects data such as steering input and speed, then commands a servo mechanism to move the tie rods left or right. These tie rods are connected to the rear wheel linear structure, thus controlling the rear wheels to produce a certain steering angle.
In all my years of driving, most cars don't have rear wheels that steer when turning—it's mainly the front wheels controlling the direction while the rear wheels just follow or handle propulsion. However, I once test-drove a high-end car like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which comes with a rear-wheel steering system. At low speeds, the rear wheels can turn slightly to help reduce the turning radius, making reversing super agile; at high speeds, they remain stable for steadiness. For regular family sedans, fixed rear wheels are the norm, offering more stable body dynamics but a larger turning radius. During maintenance, it's important to check the rear wheel bearings and suspension to ensure no faults cause abnormal wobbling. Overall, rear-wheel steering is a high-tech feature, not standard—it's found only in luxury cars or specific modifications, making everyday driving more hassle-free and safe.
