# Driving in Reverse: "Steer in the Opposite Way"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345 "2010-06-15T20:07:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/21 "2010-06-16T20:02:33Z")
Doesn’t the “steer into the skid” thing only work if you have a certain type of car? I seem to recall that it works a treat for rear-wheel drive cars, but for front-wheel drive, you want to steer the car the way you want to go. Or I might have that backwards. Anyway, when skidding up here in the frozen north, I steer the way I want the car to go. That said, I don’t skid that often, and I haven’t gone out and “whipped shitties” in the time-honored northern tradition either. I think I should next winter. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/22 "2010-06-16T20:10:39Z")
I have no problem steering a car when driving backwards, but the one time the passenger (my father) helpfully advised me to steer the opposite way I became confused, had to pull forward and drive backwards again, my way this time. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/23 "2010-06-16T20:15:36Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > Doesn’t the “steer into the skid” thing only work if you have a certain type of car? I seem to recall that it works a treat for rear-wheel drive cars, but for front-wheel drive, you want to steer the car the way you want to go. Or I might have that backwards. It’s almost impossible to get the back end to really step out in a front-wheel drive car. If the vehicle loses grip, it’s nearly always at the front, so it understeers, rather than oversteers. In that instance, you’d either want to lift off slowly or just keep going. ---
**Author:** ![Strassia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/24 "2010-06-16T20:27:55Z")
> [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > This kinda goes with the whole “steer into the skid” thing that you also hear in drivers ed…but also makes no sense. Why do they make it so complicated - I just turn the steering wheel in the direction I want the car to go. > [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > But if you feel the car sliding then you’re going to turn the other way naturally. If you point your front wheels in the direction you want the car to go you’ll be ok (to a point). I think the difficulty comes from people who have no natural ability trying to put into words what a lot of other people just do naturally. This is great for the people who need the help but can lead to over-thinking and confusion for those who were already doing it properly. The point of steering into the skid is to regain traction. You point your wheels in the direction of motion and they are now rolling with the motion and you have control again and your brakes work better. If you steer away from the skid, you are applying only sliding friction to slow down and it takes longer to regain control. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/25 "2010-06-16T20:50:00Z")
I never got the whole “opposite” thing either, because when I back up, my mind’s eye is above the car, looking down, not in my head looking out the back windshield. I’m not sure that the twisting around is the problem for people that have issues with it. I think it’s figuring out that they want to end up with their back to the destination, not their face. If I want to back up to the right (East), I want to end up facing left (West). People try to make it so that if they back up to the right, they’ll end up facing left, and that’s where the error comes from. Just a WAG. ---
**Author:** ![v6hilux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/df788c/32.png) [@v6hilux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/v6hilux)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/26 "2010-06-16T22:40:56Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > “apply opposite lock” > > I have no idea what it means. Opposite Lock is in reference to Full Lock, but because the rear is stepping out and you want to stop it sliding, so the if we want to be pedantic, the Term should be "Full Opposite Lock ". But that’s too many words for some! > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It’s almost impossible to get the back end to really step out in a front-wheel drive car. Park Brake or do you call it Hand Brake! How hard is that, providing it works, just remember to keep the button pressed after you have “caught” it! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/27 "2010-06-16T23:02:29Z")
I’ve been driving for nearly 50 years, in all sorts of cars, trucks, heavy equipment, tractor-trailers, dock mules, etc. The ONLY time steering the opposite way of desired direction is required is when you are backing a trailer with a standard vehicle (like a car or truck). This is because you have two pivot points: front wheels and hitch ball. There are vehicles designed to back loads without having to do this sort of maneuvering. “Steer the opposite way of where you want to go” when just backing up a car is just bad advice. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/28 "2010-06-17T00:05:55Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > The point of steering into the skid is to regain traction. You point your wheels in the direction of motion and they are now rolling with the motion and you have control again and your brakes work better. If you steer away from the skid, you are applying only sliding friction to slow down and it takes longer to regain control. See, to me “steer into the skid” is ambiguous. If I didn’t know what it was supposed to mean I would think it meant to turn the steering wheel in the direction the car is spinning. Much better to just show people some cars racing around a dirt track and get them to watch what the front wheels are doing, “see how the front wheels are always pointing in the direction the driver wants the car to go? do that.” ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/29 "2010-06-17T15:24:07Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > The point of steering into the skid is to regain traction. You point your wheels in the direction of motion and they are now rolling with the motion and you have control again and your brakes work better. If you steer away from the skid, you are applying only sliding friction to slow down and it takes longer to regain control. Yes, this is what I was taught and have successfully done in a skid on icy roads. Say I am driving straight on and hit some ice. I start spinning towards my right ditch. Rather then steering to the left, AWAY from the direction of my skid (which is a normal reaction), I steer in to the skid - to the right - without applying too much brake, and maybe even a bit of gas, if required. As stated, I then regain control by steering in the direction the car wants to go and slowly apply my brakes. If I steer away from the skid, I’m unable to use my brakes to effectively slow me as quickly as I can if all tires are facing the direction the car is going. Don’t you guys watch Canada’s Worst Driver? 😛 They teach this skill every year. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/30 "2010-06-17T15:56:01Z")
> [@v6hilux](#): > > Opposite Lock is in reference to Full Lock, but because the rear is stepping out and you want to stop it sliding, so if we want to be pedantic, the Term should be "Full Opposite Lock ". > (…) > Park Brake or do you call it Hand Brake! In the States (at least here in the Midwest) a Park Brake is called the Emergency Brake. It’s not a very good term, but that’s the handle. And in the Midwest, “Full Lock” and “Opposite Lock” aren’t used to describe automotive sliding or steering. More likely they would be be used in reference to wrestling or river boat traffic… but not even then really. But I am interested in knowing the definitions. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/31 "2010-06-17T16:56:58Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > Yes, this is what I was taught and have successfully done in a skid on icy roads. > > Say I am driving straight on and hit some ice. I start spinning towards my right ditch. Rather then steering to the left, AWAY from the direction of my skid (which is a normal reaction), I steer in to the skid - to the right - without applying too much brake, and maybe even a bit of gas, if required. As stated, I then regain control by steering in the direction the car wants to go and slowly apply my brakes. If I steer away from the skid, I’m unable to use my brakes to effectively slow me as quickly as I can if all tires are facing the direction the car is going. > > Don’t you guys watch Canada’s Worst Driver? 😛 They teach this skill every year. For front-wheel drive vehicles, it’s proper to steer in the direction you wish to go and apply light acceleration. For rear-wheel drive vehicles, steer in the direction that the rear of the car is moving and lightly apply braking. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/32 "2010-06-17T20:25:25Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > In the States (at least here in the Midwest) a Park Brake is called the Emergency Brake. It’s not a very good term, but that’s the handle. > > And in the Midwest, “Full Lock” and “Opposite Lock” aren’t used to describe automotive sliding or steering. More likely they would be be used in reference to wrestling or river boat traffic… but not even then really. > > But I am interested in knowing the definitions. Full lock just means turning the steering wheel as far as it will go in one direction. It’s more often right lock or left lock, though, since “lock” by itself now means turning it all the way. And now the word lock has lost all meaning because I’ve typed it too many times in one paragraph. And now I have Hobbes in my head saying “smocksmocksmock”. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/33 "2010-06-17T20:43:39Z")
Put your eyes on a fixed point you want to move towards and steer towards that. That makes more sense to me than “steer into the skid.” ---
**Author:** ![v6hilux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/df788c/32.png) [@v6hilux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/v6hilux)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/34 "2010-06-17T23:04:46Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > “Full Lock” and “Opposite Lock” > > But I am interested in knowing the definitions. My understanding in Aus is what “Teacake” stated above. Wheel turned all the way untill the Steering Stop Bracket on your Chassis is stopping further wheel pivot, however, I will add that Opposite lock is what you see Drift Car racers do. Rear wheels spinning and traveling sidways in the same direction the front wheels are pointed at full lock, with the momentum of the vehicle being a greater force than the traction of the rear wheels can give because they are spinning so fast. Also applies in the situation of sliding on ice. NOW - As for learning what to do in an emergency situation that you don’t plan for, I suggest getting out into a nice smooth paddock with no pot holes and nothing to hit and having a Hoon around the place to learn about how a car will react when you corner too hard with the gas to the floor. Also play with the foot brake and hand brake. It will teach your Cognitive how to react and could save damage or lives in the future. Having this inbuilt into your brain from when you start learning to drive, I will say it should probably save people countless times! This is basically what Advanced Driver Training is all about. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/35 "2010-06-19T04:54:48Z")
I’m with you, OP. You turn the wheel the same direction you want the leading end of the car to go. It works in reverse (back end leading) or drive (front end leading). ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345/36 "2010-06-19T06:09:56Z")
I can’t really verbalize what I’m thinking about or doing when I drive in reverse. I started driving only two years ago so maybe that’s why. I did learn some valuable skid advice though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-reverse-steer-in-the-opposite-way/543345.md?page=1)