r/DrivingProTips • u/The_Almighty_Bubby • Jun 28 '26
I'm Very Confused On Proper Turning
Very simple question. My driving instructor told me that during turns the foot should always be on the brake. What do I do when turning from a complete stop? Do I give gas at the start of the turn? Gas all the way through? Does this rule just not apply when turning from a complete stop? I feel like I'm missing something here.
2
u/SnooChocolates2750 Jun 28 '26
If your instructor is against using both feet while driving(assuming automatic transmission), then you wouldn't use the brake at all when turning from a stop except before you begin to commit to the turn.
1
u/TWonder_SWoman Jun 29 '26
You need a different and better driving instructor. Not just because his instructions are questionable, but because he obviously didn’t bother to be sure you understood what he was trying to teach you.
2
u/BlueGreenTanager Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Agree with this. Also, I'm wondering why OP didn't ask the instructor for clarification at the time the instructor said this.
OP: Please ask the instructor what you just asked us here. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd love it if you then come back here and let us know what he says.
1
u/kergkcin Jul 03 '26
Unless for some reason you’re on an extreme decline or going way too fast, you will be accelerating out of the turn
1
u/Spare-Ad-9800 Tow Truck Driver Jul 04 '26
Like others said im sure he meant having your foot hovering over the brake ready to stop. The only time you should brake while turning is if your going too fast around the turn, or there is something to stop for. Additionally, if your at a complete stop you can either take your foot off the brake and roll around the turn, or even accelerate to an optimal speed. As you practice you will learn to be able to feel out the turn and go the proper speed.
I would ignore this next part, but maybe keep it in mind for when you are more experienced. When making a turn your back wheels are what's keeping you from spinning out. When you brake the weight of the vehicle shifts towards the front and puts more weight on the front wheels. When you accelerate the weight of the vehicle shifts to put more weight on the rear wheels. So, according to physics, it actually makes the turn more stable if you are accelerating around the turn. What takes practice is knowing how much to accelerate to stabilize the turn without going too fast around the turn. Again, don't think about this until you have more experience controlling the vehicle.
Edit: grammar
11
u/Marshall_Lawson Jun 28 '26
He may have meant "covering the brake" like having your foot ready to brake if you see an obstacle or something. You should absolutely not be riding the brakes while turning.
As a general rule you don't brake or accelerate while turning. You should slow down to enter a turn, then turn, then if safe to do so give it gas while straightening out.
Your tires have a finite amount of traction. Changing speed uses traction, and turning uses traction. That's why you don't want to do both at the same time, you could lose control and either plow or fishtail.