How to Use the Push, Pull and Slide Method to Turn a Car

When learning to drive a car, an essential skill is turning the vehicle. Drivers should mentally envision the turns they are going to make before touching the steering wheel; their brains should always be a step ahead of the automobile. Here are a few tips to complete the push-pull-slide turn.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Try a left turn while the car is in motion. Put on your left signal blinker. This is an important step because you should always communicate your intentions to other drivers to avoid accidents. Put your left hand on the top of the steering wheel. Complete two counter-clockwise turns of the steering wheel.
2. Let go of the steering wheel when you have turned far enough. The car's design ensures that the wheel returns to the normal driving position. If you "wind" the steering wheel away from the center, the car tries to "unwind" on its own.
3. Make a left turn from a stop sign. Come to a complete stop at the sign. Turn on your signal. Give the car a little gas, and bring your left hand to the top of the wheel. Turn twice; aim for the lane in which you wish to drive and release the wheel. It turns back to its original position. Avoid turning too early or too late.
4. Use the push-pull-slide method to make a right turn from a stop sign. Come to a complete stop. Turn on the right turn signal. Gently give the car gas, and bring your right hand to the top of the wheel. Turn clockwise twice; release the wheel when you have turned as desired. As the wheel unwinds, keep your hands at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions; let them gently graze the wheel to ensure control.
5. Complete a right turn while the car is in motion. Put on your right signal blinker. Put your right hand on the top of the steering wheel. Complete two clockwise turns of the steering wheel.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn to control your nerves. This is a big part of passing the driving test.
• Keep the hand that is not performing the push-pull-slide stationary. If you are making a left turn, the right hand stays gently at the 3:00 position. If you make a right turn, the left hand stays at the 9:00 position. Use the non-dominant hand to grasp the steering wheel loosely between the first and second turn of the wheel to help maintain control.