What Is A Turnabout In Driving?

You don’t have to be a motion picture stuntman to turn your car around 180 degrees. However, the skill of performing a turnabout may come in handy when you find yourself in a confined space: on a narrow road, in a tunnel, or elsewhere. 

For novice drivers, this maneuver may seem extremely difficult and possible to perform only by seasoned professionals. But living in a concrete jungle, the average motorist needs to be able to perform every maneuver possible to feel comfortable on the road.

What Is A Turnabout?

A turnabout is also called a turn in a confined space or a police U-turn. The name implies that you’ll turn your vehicle around within a confined space when performing it. 

How To Perform A Turnabout

To rotate your vehicle 180 degrees, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the U-turn as much as possible. Move toward a previously selected point until you are close to it, and stop.

Move the steering wheel all the way to the opposite side of the turn and switch to the reverse gear. Reverse until there is enough space ahead to complete the maneuver. Drive smoothly forward without crossing the imaginary dashed line.

Are There Any Technical Requirements To Perform A Turnabout?

Although this technique may seem straightforward, remember that performing such a maneuver will require specific technical characteristics. There are several criteria according to which you will understand whether your vehicle can perform a police turn:

• The engine must be located in the nose. Note that the trunk should be completely emptied. The car’s gravity center must be shifted to its front because otherwise, a driver without experience will not be able to perform a U-turn.
• The drive is also of great importance. It must be either front-wheel or all-wheel. It is possible to perform this maneuver in a rear-wheel drive car, but it is challenging.
• The dynamic stabilization system must be deactivated. Otherwise, when you try to turn around, it will simply block the wheels.
• The same should be done with the ABS system.
• 100% serviceable parking brake and foot brake are prerequisites.
• New rubber is required, as a worn-out tire will interfere with the maneuver. 

What Issues May Arise During Turnabout?

When performing a turnabout, you may come across a damaged section of the road, such as a pothole. To ensure safety, drive straight through it using a two-turn division: before and after the pothole. 

When rotating your car, especially at high speeds, you must be aware of all the factors that may become an obstacle. However, the most dangerous ones are road conditions that affect traction, such as ice, snow, and rain. But with the above-described technique, you don't have to adjust your driving style; you just need to choose the right speed.

Summary

Now that we have figured things out, let’s recall one more thing. A U-turn at the intersection must be performed strictly according to traffic rules. The main condition for any turnabout is to move to the leftmost lane in advance, switch on the turn signal, quickly assess the road situation for the safety of your maneuver, and then carefully turn around without driving into the oncoming traffic lane.

Related Resources

• Research a Vehicle
• Cars for Sale
• Sell My Car
• Car Ratings
• Automotive News
• Shopping Guides
• New Car Previews
• Expert Car Reviews