Essential driving for the modern woman – how to perform a handbrake u turn
Woman are proved to be the safest drivers over and over again, from whatever survey is being completed yet still we are treated like second rate drivers and our driving – the butt of many jokes.
- Image by TRC OFF via Flickr
Ever thought about doing something different whilst driving? Whilst handbrake u turns are illegal on the UK roads, it’s handy to know how to perform one in case you are ever in a position where you need to drive defensively.
There is nothing to stop you practising in your garden if it’s big enough, or land where you have permission and it’s not under the highways authority.
The 180 turn is also known as the handbrake u turn, as it enable you to turn 180 degrees and face the way you were just traveling from 
. A front wheel drive is good for this, if you don’t know what wheel drive you have the chances are its a front wheel drive. If it was anything different you would never hear the end of it from the garage, from the dealership and from everywhere else 
.
Speed is a critical factor in performing this move, too slow, you won’t make 180, too fast and you will be all over the place and possibly going backwards and would have scared the living daylights out of any passengers. Aim to reach just under 30 miles per hour and be in second gear.
Place one hand on the steering wheel in a way that allows you to quickly turn it one full circle.
The exact positioning depends on which way you want to turn.
It is essential to keep one hand on the handbrake with the release button already pressed*.
Now, the trick here is to start turning before you pull the handbrake on.
Ease off on the accelerator, stamp on the clutch and quickly rotate the steering wheel smoothly either left or right (depending on which side you have the space to make the turn) until it locks. A fraction of a second after you start turning, quickly yank the handbrake up, this will lock the rear wheels.
As you are moving around, you can gradually bring your steering wheel to the center position again and straighten out the front wheels. You will have now turned 180 degrees and be more or less be facing the opposite direction, at a complete standstill, or moving backwards gently.
Got that? now who has a car park we can practice in?
*- but with an automatic, move the gearstick into neutral first, then get ready with the handbrake
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About Sarah ArrowSarah Arrow is the managing editor of Birds on the Blog, in real life she is the communications director of a same day courier service. She is an enthusiastic UK based pro-blogger and co- author of the soon to be published Zero to Blogger
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20 Responses to Essential driving for the modern woman – how to perform a handbrake u turn
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If one has automatic traction control – does this have to be switched off before performing the manoeuvre?
If one has automatic traction control – does this have to be switched off before performing the manoeuvre?
Only you Nick would ask such a question
lol, the answer is I don’t know. My husband taught me this 20 years ago!
Given that the ATC is designed to prevent skidding and loss of steering control, I’d say switch it off as it is possible that it would kick and slow you down, which wouldn’t allow you to complete the turn.
Have you tried it with ATC on? And don’t use snow as an excuse, go try it now
Only you Nick would ask such a question
lol, the answer is I don’t know. My husband taught me this 20 years ago!
Given that the ATC is designed to prevent skidding and loss of steering control, I’d say switch it off as it is possible that it would kick and slow you down, which wouldn’t allow you to complete the turn.
Have you tried it with ATC on? And don’t use snow as an excuse, go try it now
Oh this takes me back to my days when I’d drive everywhere in an old MGB Roadster (hood down if it was not raining – winter or summer). I used to join in with some of the MG Car Club events and remember learning to do a handbrake turn in a damp field – my sister was in the car with me and I’m not sure she’s ever forgiven me. What fun!
I doubt it would be much fun in my old BMW 520 automatic estate – but one day, when I’ve replaced that with a DB9, I’ll be a scary “bird” again…
Twitter: babssaul
Oh this takes me back to my days when I’d drive everywhere in an old MGB Roadster (hood down if it was not raining – winter or summer). I used to join in with some of the MG Car Club events and remember learning to do a handbrake turn in a damp field – my sister was in the car with me and I’m not sure she’s ever forgiven me. What fun!
I doubt it would be much fun in my old BMW 520 automatic estate – but one day, when I’ve replaced that with a DB9, I’ll be a scary “bird” again…
Twitter: babssaul
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Love it Sarah, it’s great to read how to do one properly.
I have great memories of doing the good old handbrake turn in the car park of a big pub in Bognor Regis; far too long ago.
At the moment, there are a number of motorists doing 120 degree turns accidentally in the street outside our door. Don’t they know that when it says “Road Closed” it means road closed because of snow and black ice.
Love it Sarah, it’s great to read how to do one properly.
I have great memories of doing the good old handbrake turn in the car park of a big pub in Bognor Regis; far too long ago.
At the moment, there are a number of motorists doing 120 degree turns accidentally in the street outside our door. Don’t they know that when it says “Road Closed” it means road closed because of snow and black ice.
Ah, the joys of driving with the top down… I miss that, but not in this weather or I would be doing one of Lynn’s 120 degree turns
Ah, the joys of driving with the top down… I miss that, but not in this weather or I would be doing one of Lynn’s 120 degree turns
I’m a new reader to BirdsontheBlog and I loved this post – and how strange that I was actually pondering this the other day.
Unfortunately the roads of East Molesey aren’t quite wide enough for such fun. I look forward to the time when I have space and the car for trying this out, and perhaps better weather!
Look forward to reading more of Sarah’s post in due course
I’m a new reader to BirdsontheBlog and I loved this post – and how strange that I was actually pondering this the other day.
Unfortunately the roads of East Molesey aren’t quite wide enough for such fun. I look forward to the time when I have space and the car for trying this out, and perhaps better weather!
Look forward to reading more of Sarah’s post in due course
I predict a u-turn event in Essex soon – “the ladies are for turning”
Elaine, Elaine
We ladies are great at this sort of thing! no matter how wide the road is
I predict a u-turn event in Essex soon – “the ladies are for turning”
Elaine, Elaine
We ladies are great at this sort of thing! no matter how wide the road is
Lovein it
Lovein it
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