Helpful Driving Information

STEERING

You control your vehicle by using the steering wheel to point the vehicle in the direction you want to go. Steer once your vehicle starts moving—you control the direction of your vehicle, not vice versa.

STEERING

Keep your hands at opposite sides of the steering wheel. Imagine that the steering wheel is a clock. The most effective positions for your hands are at 8 and 4 o'clock.

STEERING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS

The steering wheel should always be turned in the direction you want the car to go, whether moving forward or in reverse. However, the amount of steering and force will vary according to the type of steering on the car, the type of power assist, and rate of speed.

STEERING TECHNIQUES

There are three main types of steering movements: hand-over-hand, hand-to-hand, and one-hand steering.

HAND-OVER-HAND STEERING

When turning corners, use the hand-over-hand or grip and slide method. Do not turn the wheel with only the palm of your hand. Letting the wheel slip through your fingers could be dangerous.

HAND-OVER-HAND STEERING

Hand-over-hand steering is also useful when maneuvering in a space with limited view, such as perpendicular parking in a congested shopping center. When using hand-over-hand steering, quick movements of the hands are recommended on entry to the maneuver, with smooth slow movements when returning the wheel upon completion of the maneuver.

HAND-OVER-HAND STEERING

Hand-over-hand steering is appropriate when the speed of steering is critical, such as with skid recovery in a rear-wheel traction loss.

HAND-OVER-HAND STEERING

Hand-to-hand steering is particularly well suited for precision maneuvers, steering through curves, intersection entry and exit, and front-wheel traction loss control (skidding).

HAND-OVER-HAND STEERING

When making a slight turn, keep both hands in the same position on the wheel, making only slight finger or wrist adjustments as necessary to maintain your path of travel.
However, when moving through a turn, the hands may move up to 165 degrees (neither hand moves beyond the 6 or 12 o’clock positions).

ONE-HAND STEERING

Movement of the steering wheel with one hand is recommended only for backing maneuvers which do not require full left or right turns or when momentarily adjusting devices such as the radio, heating, or air conditioning.

BACKING UP

Backing up requires you to turn your head to see beyond the head restraint. Do not depend on mirrors alone when backing. One loses depth perception when using the mirrors to guide the vehicle while backing.
Since it is more difficult to maintain steering control and vehicle balance when the vehicle is in reverse, always back at slow speeds.

BACKING UP

Reverse is a more powerful gear than drive, so you should use the accelerator pedal carefully, if at all. Otherwise your car will move too fast as shown.

BACKING UP

• To back up, turn to your right so you can see through the back window. Turn your head and body to the right until you can see clearly through the back window. To improve balance, a drivers right arm can be draped over the back of the seat. The left hand grips the steering wheel near the top and turns it in the direction a driver wants the vehicle to go.
• Always go slowly, watching carefully in all directions.
• To steer the car in reverse, turn the wheel in the direction you want the rear of the car to go. Turning the wheel to the right steers the back of the car to the right. Turning the wheel to the left steers to the left.