A friend noticed a habit I do. I sort of countersteer the car. I apparently only do this on high-performance-cornering low-CG cars like the G37 when cornering significantly. The habit does not come out when I'm driving an SUV or some tall truck, with high-CG.

First, my definition of countersteer in this case is not the "countersteer" described in actual drifting conditions. The countersteer I do is a momentary brief nudge of the steering wheel counter to the intended direction just before executing the turn on the curve. The car does not make a wide swerve or sway, but there is a perceptive small "rocking" effect.

It was unnoticeable until I became conscious about it after it was brought to my attention. I don't know where this came from, but I have my suspicion that it's probably hard-wired during an earlier period riding single track vehicles (bikes, scooters, motorbikes). Also, this reflex makes me automatically aim, click my head & eyes to the direction of the turn.

Should I suppress this? Explore its potential? Or should I simply regard this as useless novelty with unclear value?

Thanks in advance for the comments out there.

 

People driving next to you will freak out (or get annoyed, like myself) because it'll look like you're swerving and could possibly hit someone.

It's probably instinctual for you to want to get a wider turn so you can take the turn as fast as possible, but I suspect it's a bad idea in this case as you're artificially throwing your car's weight around at the last minute. Professional racecar drivers would try to get a wider turn by getting a better line to begin with before entering a turn.

The only benefit I see in doing so is maybe to avoid jumping the curb if you're turning right too sharp.

 

This type of rally-inspired driving technique is probably best left at that venue. For track or Solo2 type motorsports on pavement, all you're doing is unsettling the car before corner entry. You'd be better off using your tires contact patch for braking or initiating the turn.

 

Well what do you know, there's a rally driver hidden in you. What you're doing is known as the Scandinavian Flick (well almost) look it up. It's fun and allows you corner at a higher speeds but I do not recommend you do it on the road because shall anything surprise you, it'll turn into a Scandivian F*ck lol If you still need to do it, make sure you're by yourself because it's pretty annoying for those in the passanger seat.

 

I agree, it's just an annoying habit like people who put their flashers on too early, drive auto with two feet, drive too close to the wheel, etc.

You should stop that and find another bad habit, maybe smoking.

 

lol!!123

 

I cant imagine why you would drive like that on pavement when you have traction. It annoys the hell out of your passengers and other drivers. It accomplishes absolutely nothing in the scenario you gave. Stop it.

 

Thanks for the advices.

I shall suppress & drop this habit. I have to be more conscious & self-examine more often. I'll take your advices & I think I will just have to get a better driving line before corner entry.

It's interesting that our driving habits are more noticed by passengers, and often we're the last to know.

 

It comes from your riding days. It is completely unnecessary in a car.

If anything, you do a sharp flick in the direction of the turn for rotation, and then countersteer, not the rider's definition of countersteer Then again, this is best left to *cough* understeering subarus, and rally cars.

 

I used to instruct defensive driving to professional drivers and had a bad habit of not properly checking to my left when changing lanes. Always did it correctly on the right, but my students pointed out to me that I didn't properly check the left side blind spot before making the move, but rather as I began the move. They were right. Another set of eyes is great to help you make corrections.

 

the only time countersteering will actually be good is if you're in the middle of a turn and you find yourself at the limits of your braking/acceleration but need more. straightening the wheel slightly will move the friction circle back towards the middle allowing you to get more traction when you need it. only do this if you have a little extra track/road of course.

otherwise i wouldnt recommend it coming out of a turn.