Driving techniques: from theory to practice

The ability to drive a car competently is not only a skill, but also a guarantee of safety on the road. Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes in basic techniques, which leads to accidents. This article examines key driving techniques, which are relevant both for beginners and for those who want to refresh their knowledge.

We won't talk about how to "hold the steering wheel correctly" - instead we'll look at physics of motion, typical mistakes and practical tips that are rarely taught in driving schools. For example, why When making a sharp turn at speeds above 60 km/h, a front-wheel drive car behaves differently than a rear-wheel drive car, and how to use it in emergency situations. All techniques are illustrated with examples and supported by data from extreme driving courses.

We will pay special attention psychological aspects: How to avoid skidding panic, why drivers intuitively hit the brakes in dangerous situations (and why it often makes the problem worse), and how to reprogram your reflexes. At the end of the article there is an FAQ with answers to the most controversial questions from instructors with 15 years of experience.

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1. Correct hand position on the steering wheel: why “9-3” is better than “10-2”

The debate about how to hold the steering wheel has raged for decades. The classic “10-2” position (hands like clock hands) is becoming a thing of the past - modern instructors recommend position "9-3". Why?

Firstly, this is due to ergonomics: with the “9-3” position, the arms get less tired over long distances, and the shoulders remain relaxed. Secondly - security. In a frontal impact, the airbag inflates at ~300 km/h, and if your hands are in the "10-2" zone, they can be thrown into the face with enough force to break your nose or jaw. In the "9-3" position, hands remain out of the risk zone.

Another plus: this position allows you to quickly respond to emergency situations. For example, when rebuilding in heavy traffic or around an obstacle. Check it yourself: try sharply turning the steering wheel 90° from the “10-2” and “9-3” positions - in the second case, the maneuver is performed 0.3–0.5 seconds faster.

• 🔄 Steering over: When turning more than 180°, use a pull-push technique rather than crossing your arms. This prevents the steering wheel from locking in emergency situations.
• 🚗 For large cars: in Ford F-150 or Toyota Land Cruiser the "8-4" position is allowed due to the larger diameter of the steering wheel.
• ⚡ Emergency Taxiing: when skidding, never grab the steering wheel with both hands from below (position “6-6”) - this will deprive you of control over the trajectory.

⚠️ Attention: If you are driving a car with power steering (power steering) or electric booster (EUR), avoid holding the steering wheel in the extreme position for a long time (for example, when parking). This leads to overheating of the power steering pump or increased load on the EUR electric motor, which reduces their service life.

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2. Steering techniques: how to avoid “sawing” and jerking

Smooth steering - the basis of safe driving, but 70% of drivers make the same mistake: "sawing" steering wheel with small movements instead of one clear turn. This not only irritates passengers, but also increases the risk of losing control on slippery roads.

The reason for the "sawing" lies in incorrect feedback. The brain tries to compensate for microcorrections that it initiates. To break this habit, try the following exercise:

1. Find an empty parking lot or a quiet street.
2. Hold the steering wheel with one hand (for example, your left hand in position "9").
3. Smoothly rotate 90°, then return to original position without additional corrections.
4. Repeat with your right hand.

After 10–15 minutes, you will notice that the steering wheel begins to “obey” better. This method is used by instructors BMW M Driving Experience for training in sports driving.

Steering error	Consequences	How to fix
Sharp jerks of the steering wheel	Skidding on a wet road	Figure eight exercise at a speed of 20–30 km/h
Crossing hands	Steering wheel lock in emergency	Pull-push technique
Prolonged hold in extreme position	Power steering/EUR overheating, belt wear	Short pauses when parking
"Sawing" of the steering wheel	Uneven trajectory, passenger discomfort	One arm exercise (see above)

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3. Braking: when ABS becomes the enemy

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) has saved millions of lives, but in some situations it can worsen braking distance. For example, on gravel surface or snow porridge, where the locked wheels are buried and create additional resistance.

How to avoid this? In modern cars (for example, Volkswagen Golf 2018+ or Skoda Octavia) there is a mode Off-Road ABS, which allows you to briefly block the wheels for better traction. If there is no such function, use impulse braking:

• 🚦 Press the brake pedal until the ABS (vibration) is activated.
• 🔄 Release the pressure for 0.5 seconds.
• 🔁 Repeat the cycle until the car stops.

This method reduces braking distance by 10–15% on loose surfaces. But remember: on asphalt there is impulse braking. dangerous - it increases the distance by 20–30 meters compared to ABS operation.

⚠️ Attention: If your car is equipped electronic hand brake (EPB), never use it for emergency braking at speeds above 10 km/h. This can lead to the rear wheels locking and an uncontrolled skid.

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4. Pedal control: why “two legs” is ok

The myth that you need to brake and accelerate with one foot has taken root thanks to driving schools. In fact, two-legged technique (left - brake, right - gas) is used in:

• 🏁 Racing: pilots Formula 1 and WRC always use two feet to instantly switch between gas and brake.
• 🚛 Trucks: in Scania or Volvo FH The brake pedal requires significant effort and one leg gets tired quickly.
• ⚡ Emergency situations: when driving around an obstacle while braking.

Key rule: the left leg should be on the support (not on the pedals!) and only be used when necessary. This prevents accidental application of the brake. To practice, try the following:

1. On an empty road, accelerate to 40 km/h.
2. Left foot easy press the brake without removing the right one from the gas.
3. Feel how the car reacts to simultaneous pressure.

Important: on vehicles with robotic gearbox (for example, DSG or Powershift) the "two-legged" technique can cause jerking. In this case, it is better to stick to the classic method.

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5. Clutch control: why you can’t “throw” even with an automatic transmission

Many people think that clutch This applies only to the manual transmission, but this is not the case. Even in cars with CVT (CVT) or robot (DCT) incorrect control of the gas pedal can simulate "clutch drop", which leads to:

• 🔥 Transmission overheating (especially in Nissan Qashqai with variator).
• 🛑 A sharp jerk and loss of control on a slippery road.
• 💸 Accelerated wear of clutches (in robots like DSG-7).

How to avoid mistakes:

1. On mechanics: Release the clutch smoothly, synchronizing with the gas. Exercise: try to start on a hill without the handbrake, keeping the speed at 1500–1800.
2. On automatic: Do not press the gas "to the floor" when starting. B Toyota Corolla with a variator this leads to belt slipping.
3. On robot: in a traffic jam, switch to N or Creep (if any) to reduce clutch load.

⚠️ Attention: If you smell a burning smell after an intense start (for example, at a traffic light), this is a sign of burning clutches in robotic gearbox. Stop immediately and let the box cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

What is Creep Mode?

This is a mode that simulates creeping speed, like on a classic automatic machine. Turns on with a button or automatically at low speeds. Allows you to move without pressing the gas (useful in traffic jams).

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6. Drift control: why your intuition deceives you

The most common mistake when skidding is instinctive pressing of the brake. This is due to vestibular apparatus: the brain perceives a skid as a fall and tries to “catch” the road. In fact, braking while skidding makes the situation worse in 90% of cases.

The correct algorithm depends on car drive:

Drive type	Actions when skidding	Common mistake
Front	Turn up the gas, straighten the steering wheel	Release of gas → loss of traction
Rear	Release the gas, counter steering	Sharp gas → increases skidding
Full (AWD)	Smooth throttle, minimal counter-steering	Sudden steering movements

For training, find safe area (for example, an ice racing track) and try to cause a skid in a controlled manner:

1. Accelerate to 30–40 km/h.
2. Turn the steering wheel sharply 45° and immediately return it to its original position.
3. Control the drift with the gas pedal (for front-wheel drive) or the steering wheel (for rear-wheel drive).

Important: in vehicles with exchange rate stability system (ESC) the skid will be extinguished automatically. To practice the skill, ESC must be turned off (usually with a button with a car icon on a wavy line).

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7. Parking: how to avoid scratches and nervous breakdowns

According to statistics traffic police, 30% of minor accidents occur while parking. Main reasons:

• 🅿️ Incorrect assessment of dimensions (especially in crossovers with a high hood).
• 🔄 Sharp steering turns at low speeds.
• 🚗 Ignoring “blind spots” (in Hyundai Solaris they are larger than in Kia Rio).

Universal parallel parking algorithm:

1. Approach the vehicle in front at a distance of 50–70 cm, aligning the rear bumper with its bumper.
2. Turn the steering wheel to the right all the way and start reversing.
3. When the rear car's right headlight appears in the left mirror, straighten the steering wheel.
4. Continue driving until you see the curb in the right mirror, then turn the steering wheel to the left.

For perpendicular parking, use 45° rule: Approach the pine car at an angle of 45°, then smoothly level off while looking in the right mirror.

⚠️ Attention: In cars with 360° cameras (for example, Nissan X-Trail) Don't rely on the screen alone. Cameras distort distances - always check your surroundings visually.

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8. Driving psychology: how not to lose control of emotions

According to the study MIT, 60% of accidents occur due to emotional mistakes: anger, fear or fatigue. For example, a driver who is cut off is 3 times more likely to make dangerous maneuvers over the next 5 minutes.

How to keep your cool:

• 🧘 Breathing 4-7-8: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Reduces the level of cortisol (stress hormone) by 30%.
• 🎵 Music: classical or instrumental music with a tempo of 60–80 beats per minute (e.g. Ludovico Einaudi) reduces aggression behind the wheel.
• 🚫 Taboo on gestures: Even what you think is a harmless movement can provoke a conflict.

If you feel like you're losing control:

1. Park in a safe place.
2. Get out of the car and walk 10–15 steps (physical activity releases adrenaline).
3. Drink water (dehydration increases irritability).

Important: if you take sedatives (for example, Afobazole or Persen), check their influence on the reaction. Some products increase the reaction time by 0.3–0.5 seconds, which is critical at a speed of 100 km/h (the car will travel an extra 8–14 meters).

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FAQ: Answers to pressing questions

❓ Is it possible to slow down with an automatic engine?

Yes, but with reservations. In classic automatic transmissions (torque converter), engine braking is less effective than in manual transmissions, but is possible when switching to L or 2. In CVTs (CVT) and robots (DSG), it is better to avoid this technique - it increases the load on the transmission. Exception: mountain descents, where prolonged pedal braking leads to overheating of the pads.

❓ Why can’t you look at the obstacle when skidding?

This is due to vestibulo-ocular reflex: The brain automatically directs the body to where the eyes are looking. If you are looking at a tree that you don’t want to crash into, the subconscious mind corrects the trajectory exactly in his direction. Instead, focus on space where you want to go (for example, on a free section of the road).

❓ How to hold the steering wheel correctly when driving off-road?

When off-road, use the "relaxed grip": your fingers do not squeeze the steering wheel, but only touch it. This allows you to:

• Reduce the load on your hands when overcoming uneven surfaces.
• Avoid injury from sudden jerks (for example, when a wheel falls into a hole).
• React faster to changes in trajectory (the steering wheel itself “falls” into your hands when skidding).

B Land Rover Defender or Toyota Hilux this technique is especially important due to the large suspension travel.

❓ Why does the steering wheel in some cars become “heavier” at speed?

This is work variable power steering (for example, in BMW 5 Series or Audi A6). At high speeds, the system artificially increases steering resistance to:

• Prevent sudden maneuvers (for example, when avoiding debris on the highway).
• Improve feedback for the driver.
• Reduce the risk of loss of control in crosswind gusts.

If the steering suddenly becomes heavier, check the power steering fluid level or ESD error codes - this may be a sign of a malfunction.

❓ How often should you train your driving skills?

Research Association of German Driving Schools (Fahrschulverband) show that:

• Basic skills (steering, braking) are lost through 3–6 months without practice.
• Emergency control skills (skidding, avoiding obstacles) - through 1–2 years.
• Reflexes (responses to unexpected situations) worsen after 30 years old (natural slowing down of nervous reactions).

Recommendation: visit a racing track at least once every six months or train in an empty parking lot. Even 20 minutes of exercise restores “muscle memory.”