Perform a Reverse 180 in a Car

This maneuver is fun, easy and it allows you to get your car moving in the opposite direction without having to perform a u-turn. This maneuver is also sometimes referred to as a "Rockford".

Steps

  1. Start from a stopped position. This maneuver can get you turned around even in a tight location (without performing an 8-point turn).
  2. Check to make sure you have enough room to have the car sideways, and then some.
    • Without enough room (especially when you are learning), it is easy to damage your car or other property. It is best practiced in an empty parking lot or dirt area (dirt will give you the same skills, but requires less speed, and will cause less tire wear).
  3. Drive to one end of the area (from now on, it will be assumed you are in a parking lot) with your back-end pointed in the direction you wish to go. Accelerate in reverse to 10-30MPH.
    • The faster you go, the easier it is to get the front to come around, but it also becomes increasingly more dangerous and more likely to damage something. Slower reverse-180s are more difficult to perform, but is still a very good thing to practice.
    • In a FWD/AWD car, this next step is easy. Turn the wheel in one direction to initiate the front end sliding. Giving a bit more gas as soon as you start the turn will help a bit. As soon as the front of the vehicle starts sliding, press the brakes lightly, put the car in neutral, and be ready to put it into gear.
    • In a RWD (rear-wheel drive) car, turn the wheel in one direction to initiate the front end sliding, but at the exact same time, press the brake pedal pretty hard, do not lock up your brakes, but this helps your vehicle pivot on the rear tires. Put the car in neutral, and be ready to put it into gear.
  4. Put the car in gear (drive) as soon as the slide is half-way through. Be prepared to step on the gas. As soon as you are pointed in the direction you desire to go, hit the accelerator and make any minor adjustments to your driving angle with your steering wheel.
  5. Remember, when you initiate the spin, your car will not go straight back, it will move somewhat in the opposite direction that you slide the front end, so be aware that your rear-end may hit something (give it extra room).
  6. Practice spinning in both directions. Experiment with different amounts of gas and brakes at the outset of the slide.



Tips

  • It is a considerably easier to keep control of this maneuver with a front wheel drive vehicle.
  • Try it a few times in dirt or snow first, as you are able to go slower, before you try it on asphalt.
  • To initiate a more aggressive turn, first turn the wheel slightly in the opposite direction from which you intend to spin. This is similar to feint-drifting, and helps start the slide by loading more of the weight of the car on one side. Once the vehicle shifts it's weight to the side that you are turning, then turn the wheel hard in the (other) intended direction of spin with a burst of gas (FWD only) to initiate the spin more concisely.
  • Remember, to exit the spin, you must return your wheels to "straight" that is parallel to the intended direction of travel.
  • You may even try pulling the hand brake and turning the steering in any direction but note that it can only be done at high speeds like above 40Kmph.

Warnings

  • If you do not put the car in neutral soon enough, or put in the car in gear (drive) too soon, you have the possibility of messing up your transmission.
  • While it is possible to perform this with a SUV or pickup truck, do not attempt it with one. The danger of flipping the vehicle is much too high with a vehicle that has a high center of gravity.
  • Wear your safety belt, as even with a low slung passenger car, it is possible to flip the vehicle if you hit a large rock or other obstruction mid turn.
  • May cause severe injury or even death.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

The J-Turn technique explained with illustrations

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