AIBU to think you don't need to turn right to go left

[catdoctor]

Driving about there are bods who pull right in order to turn left (or vice versa) so what's that all about?

Don't the back wheels of the car go where the front ones do or am I missing something?

Depends how big the car is and where they are turning into. I need to pull out right in order to turn left into a tight parking space. If it is a normal junction then no need to pull out.

Surely it depends on the size of the vehicle? Some would overrun a kerb, or clip whatever is to their left if they didn't swing out first

Lorry drivers do need to go right slightly to turn left so they can make sure their trailers stay on the road and not go over the pavement edge. Maybe they still do it in cars out of habit??

I have to swing out to get into a parking bay, otherwise its a 2 manoeuvre job! I only drive a normal sized car btw, not a tank, so maybe I'm just not very good at parking

That's exactly what lightning McQueen thought. Look where it got him. No where.
Until doc Hudson put him right.

Now he has 3 piston cups.

Uabu.

OK...so how come the back wheels don't go where the front wheels go considering a car is a rigid rectangle. Can see there could be a problem if the vehicle is articulated.

I tend to go in backwards, oh err, so why no problem then - do the front wheels follow the back??!!

heavy have I got to watch the whole film or does Doc have a web site?

The back wheels only go where the front wheels have been is you're going in a straight line, if you're turning it won't be the same will it? I never could do problems like this

Depends on the length of the vehicle, in a Nissan micra you don't need to do it. In a landrover you do slightly if it's a sharp corner. If its a bus or a lorry you definately do need to do it or the back wheels follow the front wheels, unfortunately mounting the pavement and flattening anything on it! Been there, done the mounting the pavement bit, thankfully there was nothing on it, but the horse in the back was a bit pissed off!

They don't follow the same exact route as the front wheels for the exact reason you said- cars are a rigid rectangle. As soon as the front wheels turn so do the back. This means they will cut the corner sooner.

Is that not obvious?? (trying not to sound sarcastic honestly!!)

@Heavywheezing

Now he has 3 piston cups.

He did what in his cup?!? I too, immediately thought of McQueen

Now nick that makes sense (but I'm going to check my tyre tracks out anyway!)

Lol I thought this was about Lightning McQueen too!

Get a toy car, run the wheels through some paint and then make some tracks. Persuade your children you are playing with them at the same time!

Please tell me you don't drive.