Cornering is one of the hardest parts of driving. If the dry road surface can still forgive the driver for some mistakes, then wet road after rain or slippery from ice will send the unlucky driver to the nearest ditch. Most often this happens when the driver notices a turn at the very last moment.
One sharp turn of the steering wheel in such a situation may be enough for the car to start "plowing". In such a situation, the car with the turned-out wheels goes straight out. Inexperienced drivers in such a situation can still turn the steering wheel in the wrong direction, which will aggravate the situation ...
Everything can turn out differently. For example, the car will first slide for a long time, the steering wheel will be turned out, and at some point the sliding will stop. However, immediately after that, the unexpected will happen - the wheels will regain traction too quickly and the same thing will happen as with hard braking. At the end, the rear axle may skid and the car may turn sharply.
Turn
For fast cornering, push the front wheels against the ground for maximum traction. This is especially important for cars with full or. To do this, you need to control not only the steering wheel, but also the pedals. First of all, you should do this in winter. The secret is that when additional loading of one or another axle occurs, additional pressure appears in the contact patch of the wheels. As a result, the car is better controlled.
When entering the port, do not forget to release gas. Also, do not forget that the more slippery the surface, the smoother the maneuver should be. It is best to use the "tight taxiing" technique, without intercepting the steering wheel with your hands. Twisting the steering wheel is fraught with the loss of the optimal angle of rotation of the wheels and rupture of traction.
Exiting the turn
Professionals don't think about getting into a corner quickly, but about getting out of it quickly. In order to achieve an optimal result, you should divide the turn into two parts - steep and gentle. The main part of the turn must take place on the first of the designated sections. By the middle of the turn, the car should already be correctly oriented and aiming for a straight line. The driver's eyes should look at this moment where he wants to go.
In addition to all of the above, do not forget that when discharging gas, the car always goes along a smaller radius and thus draws a more round turning lane. If you add gas, then the car, on the contrary, will begin to straighten the trajectory of movement. Also, do not forget about the need to keep your distance from the traffic in front.
- If the tires slip under load to such an extent that the rear axle begins to drift, then most likely you are applying too much pressure on the gas. As soon as you drop it slightly, the grip of the rear wheels with the road is restored, and you pass the corner faster. However, be careful: excessively vigorous removal of the gas can lead to the fact that the front end is loaded with all the weight of the car, and the rear axle, on the contrary, will immediately unload. This will increase skidding and cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Here you need to strike a balance.
- Smooth throttle and brake operation is also very important. In particular, gentle manipulation of the gas pedal when entering and exiting a corner prevents wheel spin and blocking.
- If you are going to use the above techniques behind the wheel of a rear or four-wheel drive vehicle, then keep in mind that in no case should you drift (that is, deliberately enter the car into a skid and take a turn while sliding). The key to the fastest cornering is the grip of the rear wheels with the road (except, perhaps, extremely narrow studs or wet surfaces).
- Sharp turns require responsiveness and speed from the driver. Continuous practice is required to achieve acceptable results.
- The steeper the turn, the lower the speed of its passage should be. But if you want to get it right and take the bend faster than that guy, then here's the truth for you to be guided by: "entered slowly - quickly left."
- Most cars have a so-called "resting pad" - a flat, incline to accommodate the left foot to the left of the pedals, sometimes referred to as the "dead pedal". This area is very useful when taking fast turns. Resting your left foot against it, you squeeze yourself into the seat, minimizing body movements caused by lateral forces that appear during turns. Thus, the steering precision can be significantly improved.
- Inspect the inside of the turn, mark the apex point and exit path (and also look as far ahead if possible), even if you have to look through the side glass as well as the windshield. This will give you an easier and more natural cornering experience.
- If you enter the turn a little later, you can achieve a straighter trajectory and a faster exit; this statement is true for most turns.
- If, when entering a turn immediately after pressing the brake, you find that the car is not turning actively enough, then release the pedal a little later (or it should have been done a little earlier). If you release the brake right now, you will relieve the front wheels of the vehicle by loosening their traction.
- The technique of sliding or drifting comes from the world of rally, it was specially developed for high-speed passage of dirt corners. In accordance with this technique, the beginning and end of the maneuver is done in a completely different way, everything happens at a much higher speed, so the turns are passed faster.
- The steeper the turn, the sharper the steering. In a fast bend, you need to steer gently without moving your hands on the steering wheel. In a normal turn, you should also steer gently, but more actively. Steer sharply in tight bends, even if the road is slippery. In this case, the car may react to steering with some delay, but if you manipulate the steering wheel abruptly, but not excessively, then everything will turn out perfectly.
When cornering, you must adhere to the following sequence: braking, turning the steering wheel, accelerating. Professional driving technique means that driving alone is not enough ...
The topic of using the steering wheel and pedaling during maneuvers was casually covered in the description of the friction diagram: the rider needs to use the grip on the track most effectively when braking, turning the steering wheel and accelerating. The key to successful completion is to smoothly complete all three stages in one movement.
Cornering is divided into three stages: braking, turning and acceleration
Start by braking
When approaching a turn on a straight high-speed section of the race track, it is necessary to brake as quickly as possible to the optimum speed for maneuvering. Try hard braking. An indicator of professional technique is the ability to determine the point at which the centrifugal force is highest and try to pass it on maximum speed allowing to maintain controllability.
Decrease your speed and start driving. Raise your foot off the brake pedal to release the clutch required to turn, then turn the steering wheel. Sudden movements should be avoided. As described in the section on slip coefficient - the car does not follow the steering wheel as if glued. Look for a balance of handling with smooth movements.
Driving
When cornering, the vehicle overcomes centrifugal forces. Ideal is the speed at which the tires squeal quietly. Until you get out of the maneuver, you need to give just as much gas as is needed to maintain a constant speed. The car should not slow down or accelerate. The pressure on the accelerometer pedal must be changed as needed. After passing the top, smoothly return the steering wheel to the center position.
Before pressing the gas pedal, you must return the center position of the steering wheel
Doing so will release some of the traction that can be used for acceleration. When the car stops turning, add gas. The sooner the better, but if you start to accelerate too early, you risk losing control. Having overcome the bend, during acceleration, the main points are two:
- smoothly return the steering wheel to the center position
- increase speed gradually
It is imperative to maintain a constant steering angle. In the event of a sharp change in its position, you can “lose” the car
Trajectory
The optimal trajectory is the sequence:
- outside curb
- inner curb
- outside curb
When entering, try to keep to the outer shoulder, pass the top along the inner one, at the exit, move again to the outer one. The essence of the maneuver is to increase the radius, which will allow you to switch to acceleration earlier.
Remember the centrifugal force that pushes the car towards the outside curb. The smaller the radius and the higher the speed, the greater this force. Simply put - it decreases with increasing turning radius, allowing you to drive it at a higher speed.
The larger the radius of maneuver, the greater the permissible speed.
The main disadvantage of this method is the increased distance covered. When passing long (long) turns and on low-powered machines, it is recommended to constantly keep to the inner shoulder.
If the top of the trajectory is located after the actual top, you can pick up speed faster and increase the acceleration section.
Apex is a point, after passing which you will begin to return the rudder to the center position and increase your speed. Professional riders install it near the actual top of the turn, it is not visually indicated, the driver must determine it himself and mentally place it on the road. In reality, it is shifted towards the exit, which allows you to pick up speed faster, increasing the acceleration section and shortening the lap time.
This technique is called “slow entry - fast exit”. If you have a map of the route at hand, you can plot the best route using a compass. Set the vertex, draw an arc through it towards the exit (set the compass on the axis of symmetry). Draw a steep arc from the side of the entrance so that the second intersects with the first. Draw arcs of different radii until they merge into one smooth curve. After that, it remains to practice to repeat this curve in reality.
- Place point 1 on the outside of the turn exit, draw a wide arc towards the inner edge to point 2.
- Draw another one, connecting the top and the outside of the road at the entrance. The point at which the arc crosses the outside is the entrance to turn 3.
- Considering the points in the order 3 -> 2 -> 1, you will get the optimal trajectory
Features of understeer and oversteer
The reaction of the car to the driver's actions is called handling, one of the aspects of which is understeer. Moving along the optimal trajectory, you are guaranteed an improvement in the result of the circle, but this is not easy to achieve. There are times when the car responds poorly to steering speed or, on the contrary, changes direction too abruptly. When understeer, the machine does not change direction as much as the driver expects. The opposite situation, the car turns more than necessary, this is oversteer.
Generally accepted: cars with rear wheel drive prone to oversteer, and with the front - to understeer. There are many reasons for both features. The location of the engine (layout), one of the reasons that can lead to understeer in the rear or oversteer front wheel drive... Imagine that the car is moving in a vicious circle. If, when adding throttle, the front wheels begin to slip and the circle radius increases, this is understeer. If at the same time rear wheels will start to demolish and the car will go to the center of the circle - redundant. For both cases, this is caused by the addition of gas, as a consequence - an increase in the power supplied to the wheels.
The top diagram shows understeer, the middle one is oversteer, the bottom one is normal.
Oversteer is possible and as a result:
- braking (the load on the front wheels increases, decreasing on the rear)
- too sharp or belated steering wheel turns
- entering a turn at too high a speed
When faced with these phenomena, it is not always easy to notice the difference between a driver's error and the behavior of a car.
Danger of descent
When the pilot sharply decreases throttle with the steering wheel turned, steering will increase dramatically. This is due to the fact that at the moment of dumping the weight is shifted to the front axle, decreasing on the rear axles. Ate at the same time to turn the steering wheel, the car sharply throws in the direction of the turn, up to a skid and departure. This often happens with front-wheel drive cars. The most the best way get out of a skid, in such a situation, sharply add gas in order to cause understeer.
When the driver abruptly removes his foot from the accelerometer pedal, the weight of the car is suddenly transferred to the front wheels, which can lead to skidding. This situation often occurs when the car is in a low gear with significant torque drops.
Good afternoon, dear reader.
In the next article in the series "Hand over the race track with a half kick", we will talk about the correct execution of the exercise "90 degree turns".
Exercise "" refers to a group of new exercises that are used for exams in the traffic police starting from September 1, 2016.
Exercise outline
Exercise area"90 degree turns" is shaped like a winding corridor:
The corridor is 3.9 meters wide. In practice, this means that the corridor is about 2 times wider than the training vehicle, i.e. there is plenty of room for maneuvers.
The length of the corridor sections is equal to 2 lengths of the car body.
The cornering radius is 1 meter.
Note... This article discusses a scheme that provides for the implementation of first the left and then the right turns. Starting from October 14, 2017, it is possible to use a symmetrical scheme, in which first there is a right turn, and then a left one. The scheme is selected depending on the configuration of the race track.
When performing a cornering exercise, the driver must do the following:
- Drive up to the start line of the exercise, stop.
- Enter the corridor and make a 90 degree left turn.
- Turn right 90 degrees.
- Drive up to the line of completion of the exercise, stop.
When performing this exercise, in contrast to the exercise, the car can only move in front, i.e. usage reverse forbidden.
Error table for the exercise "Turns by 90 degrees"
The first column of the table contains descriptions of possible errors, and the second - the number of errors that can be made. 0 means that after the first mistake the exam is given the mark "DOES NOT PASS".
| Error | Possible quantity |
| 113.1. Did not start the test exercise within 30 seconds after receiving the command (signal) to start its execution. | 0 |
| 113.2. Shot down the marking equipment. | 2 |
| 113.3. Drove along the projection of the vehicle dimensions beyond the boundaries of the test exercise sections, indicated by lines road markings 1.1 white or 1.4 yellow and marking cones (marking stands), or drove the wheel onto the marking line that marks the boundaries of the test exercise areas, depending on the conditions of the test exercise. | 0 |
| 113.7. Allowed the engine to stop. | 2 |
| 113.9. Carried out the movement in reverse if the movement in reverse is not provided for by the conditions of the test exercise. | 0 |
| 113.15. Left the exam (refused the test exercise). | 0 |
How to make turns correctly
Consider step by step instructions to perform the exercise "Turns by 90 degrees":
1. Stop at the start line of the exercise. In this case, you need to drive up to the line in such a way that the car is as close as possible to the right edge of the corridor. This will make it easier to complete the exercise later on.
The closer you can get to the right-hand side, the better. However, be careful not to snag the posts or cross the markings.
2. Start moving, slowly move along the right side of the corridor parallel to it. You need to move until the left rear-view mirror is level with the cone number 1.
You do not need to turn the steering wheel of the car at this stage. As soon as the number 1 cone is level with the rearview mirror, stop.
3. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. At the same time, the car stands still.
4. Start driving. The car gradually turns to the left. At this stage, you need to drive as close to the left side of the corridor as possible and stop parallel to it.
5. Set the steering wheel to the "straight" position and drive parallel to the left wall of the corridor. At the same time, watch the position of the cone number 2. As soon as this cone is at the level of the right mirror of the car, stop.
6. Standing still, turn the steering wheel of the car all the way to the right side.
7. Start driving and take a right turn. Stop in front of the end of the exercise. This line can be approached at any angle, it is not necessary to park the car perpendicularly. This is not a mistake.
The exercise was passed successfully.
Instructions for doing the exercise turns
You can download the instruction for the exercise in pdf format to use it directly at the circuit:
Possible errors and problems
The most problem areas in the exercise "Pivots", these are cones 1 and 2 that are inside the pivot. If a candidate driver starts a turn ahead of time, he can knock down these cones. However, if you strictly follow the above scheme, then you will not hook the cones.
Penalty points when performing 90 degree turns
Violations 113.2 (knocked down by a cone), 113.3 (hitting or crossing the line), 113.9 (turning on the reverse), the traffic police officer will notice exactly. Therefore, they should not be allowed.
As for violation 113.7 (engine stalled), it may not be noticed from afar. Therefore, if it stalled, then just start the car and continue the exercise.
In general, the "90-degree turns" exercise does not impose any supernatural demands on drivers and it is quite simple to complete it.
Well, the next exercise at the circuit is.
Good luck on the road!
Andrey-155
On account of the fact that if the engine stalls, it is almost invisible from afar ...
How so if a traffic cop is sitting next to a student in a car?
Andrey, if he sits in the car, then of course he will notice.
In many examination departments, a traffic police officer sits in another car and simultaneously watches several cars passing by. In this situation, it is quite difficult to notice a stalled engine.
Good luck with exams!
Hello! At the circuit, we are forced to stop in front of the dotted lines at the beginning and end of each exercise, turning off the gear and raising the handbrake. At the same time, how critical will it be if the dotted line is slightly moved? To what point of violation does such an error relate?
Maria, Hello.
You need to stop only in those places where it is directly required. It is not necessary to stop before the start line of the exercise; driving without stopping should not be considered a mistake.
Good luck on the road!
Nikolay-78
Is the direction of turning left and then right in principle important, or is it possible first to the left and then to the right
Nikolay, to be honest, I did not understand how the two options you described differ. Clarify this point.
Nikolay-78
Is the direction of the turn to the left and then to the right important, or is it possible to place the markings for the exercise symmetrically, i.e. from the beginning turn right then left
Exercise you are interested in - N5, paragraph 18.1. This paragraph requires the driver to alternate between left and right turns in the pattern shown.
See exercise # 6 for comparison. It clearly states that a symmetrical exercise is possible:
Depending on the traffic organization scheme used at the autodrome, automated autodrome or closed area, the exercise can be performed both on the left and right side of the box.
Therefore, in the 90 Degree Pivots exercise, you must first make a left turn and then a right turn.
2. If space at the circuit is limited, then I recommend that you personally contact the traffic police and discuss the possibility of symmetrical organization of the exercise on the site. If the traffic police agree to take the exercise in the order you want, then mark the circuit accordingly.
Good luck on the road!
Valeria-9
Why stop when making turns? An extra opportunity to stall, plus confusion in the sequence of actions. Easier to perform at low speed, especially since intersections and TURNS vehicles PASSING.
HERE IS YOUR SAME
advice that will greatly simplify the delivery of this exercise, and the rest too.
You do not need to use the gas pedal to move along the "snake". You just need to release the clutch pedal in front of the "start" line, and press it again when approaching the "stop" line.
With this approach, the car will stably and evenly ride along the snake, and you will only have to turn the steering wheel. Agree, it's convenient and not difficult.
WHEN TAKING THE EXAM, THE MAIN THING IS TO RIDE, because IN THE CITY CROSSROADS CANNOT BE OVERCOME IN THE SAME WAY
The purpose of the study is to LEARN, not to pass the EXAM
Alexander-454
I disagree about the most problematic cones. From my own experience and observing other students, the most problematic cone is the second from the top from the left. Just passed the moment when you need to turn the steering wheel to the right and there will be a real danger of knocking him down. At the very exam, the left front wheel was a few millimeters from this cone, but in the end, by some miracle, I passed it without hitting it.
Hello! Please note in the article that from October 17th the regulations regarding the sequence of turns are changed. From the same site: "This exercise has undergone a slight change. Now the order of making turns can be any and depends on the circuit of the circuit." For in the last comment (answer to Nikolay) there is already irrelevant information.
Anna, Hello.
Thanks for the comment, the article has been updated.
Good luck on the road!
Adding a comment
According to the traffic police, most road accidents occur due to improper actions of the driver in an emergency. And this applies not only to inexperienced drivers, but also to those who are already quite confident.
Let's try to analyze the most common mistakes made by drivers when making a maneuver on the road.
1. Overspeed when entering a turn
If you need to make a turn at an intersection, experienced drivers advise to slow down on the straight section of the road when approaching it. The recommended cornering speed should not exceed 60 km / h. But you need to proceed from the analysis of the real traffic situation, the angle of rotation, the size of the turning arc. You need to slow down before turning so that you have the opportunity to go through it at a constant speed, maintained by lightly pressing the gas pedal.
In no case should you enter a corner at high speed and brake when passing a corner, on an arc. You run the risk of being on the sidelines or in a skid. It is also dangerous to drive in an arc without a brake, but with the gas pedal released. Be careful when cornering.
2. Throttle release or cornering braking
In addition, having to slow down when cornering means in itself that you entered the corner at high speed. Pedaling can also cause slipping when cornering. Any braking action shifts the weight of the vehicle from the rear axle to the front axle, thereby weakening the traction of the rear tires. Sometimes this can be the cause of the car slipping and entering a skid. Therefore, follow the advice of experienced: slow down on a straight section of the road to avoid releasing the gas pedal and, moreover, braking.
3. Excessive steering when cornering
One of the most common mistakes when cornering, overtaking, or other maneuvers on the road is steering too much. Often, drivers will turn the steering wheel to a greater angle than is required for the maneuver. This could cause the vehicle to be demolished. When making maneuvers, you need to remember that the more angle you turn the steering wheel, the more risk you put yourself and your car. The steering wheel of the car must be turned carefully, as much as necessary to complete the turn. This is achieved by repeating these maneuvers many times, practice!
4. Abrupt change of direction of movement.
During movement, when performing maneuvers, changing lanes, overtaking, you often have to change the direction of movement. In this case, the driver turns the steering wheel to the right and then to the left. As a result of such sudden movements, the car can skid, now in one direction, then in the other direction. To avoid such skids and learn how to properly hold the car, try to turn the steering wheel smoothly, avoiding sudden movements.
5. Braking
In the event of an emergency, the driver's first reaction is to brake. With sharp braking "to the floor", the wheels are blocked and the car without anti-lock braking system(ABS) can skid. The main danger of skidding is the instability of the car and the possibility of skidding. A skid usually occurs when a vehicle hits different sections of the road, such as asphalt and sand or dirt.
In such a situation, experienced ones advise to brake intermittently and release the brake pedal at the beginning of a skid. But not everyone can release the pedal in an extreme situation. Therefore, try to predict the situation in advance and correct the movement of your car in advance so that there is no need for emergency braking.
6. And finally, a few lessons from a professional
To feel confident in your car, you need to learn how to control it. This feeling will come to you with the driving experience. We want to offer you some easy exercises that will help you develop your gas pedal feeling.
On a clear road with steady traffic, try to maintain a constant speed so that the speedometer needle does not deviate from its position. This exercise can be done both on a flat road and on a road with ups and downs.
Another exercise for training to maintain constant engine speed. Carried out in the parking lot. Shift into neutral, lock the car parking brake and press the accelerator pedal to raise the tachometer needle, for example, to 2,500 rpm. You need to train as long as you manage to get to the set revolutions with one press of the pedal. Then you need to learn how to hold constant revolutions for some time, for example 10 seconds. After that, a similar exercise can be done at other speeds - 2000, 3000, etc.
The most important thing on the road is utmost attention, the ability to predict the situation and confidence in the consequences of their actions. Good luck on the road!
