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Opposite Lock

Car culture term

What is Opposite Lock?

The steering input applied toward the outside of a turn to counter and control oversteer, commonly seen in drift and rally driving where the rear of the car slides outward.

Opposite lock describes the act of steering the wheel toward the outside of a turn (counter-steering) when the rear of the vehicle steps out into oversteer. If the rear slides left, the driver turns right (opposite to the direction of the turn) to catch the slide. The term comes from the steering wheel being turned to the "opposite lock" position from the direction the car is cornering. It is synonymous with counter-steer.

Opposite lock is a fundamental skill in motorsports disciplines where controlled oversteer is a technique, including drifting, rallying, gymkhana, and certain forms of circuit racing on lower-grip surfaces. In rally racing, drivers routinely use opposite lock through loose-surface corners because initiating rotation with the rear (via Scandinavian flick, left-foot braking, or throttle input) and then catching it with opposite lock is faster than trying to maintain tight traction.

The visual of a car at full opposite lock with the steering wheel pointing opposite to the car's direction of travel has become iconic in car culture, featured prominently in motorsport photography and automotive media. Learning to catch slides with opposite lock is a rewarding and teachable skill developed in low-grip environments like empty parking lots or dedicated drift events.

Related terms

DriftOversteerScandinavian flickClutch KickRWDWeight transferHeel-toe

Frequently asked questions

How do you learn opposite lock?
Start in a safe environment with minimal consequences: an empty wet parking lot, an autocross school, or a dedicated drift event. A rear-wheel-drive vehicle with the stability control off makes it easiest. Induce oversteer gradually and practice catching small slides before working up to larger angles. Karting is also excellent for developing throttle-steer instincts.
Is opposite lock useful on a FWD car?
Rarely. FWD cars understeer by nature and do not rotate their rear end enough to require consistent opposite lock. FWD cars can be made to oversteer via lift-off oversteer or handbrake turns, but it is not a natural state. Opposite lock is primarily a skill for RWD and AWD vehicles where rear-end rotation is a usable tool.
What is the difference between opposite lock and counter-steer?
They are the same action described differently. Counter-steer is the technical term (steering counter to the direction of turn). Opposite lock is the colloquial term describing the position of the steering wheel (turned to the opposite side from the corner). Both describe turning the steering wheel toward the outside of a slide to catch oversteer.
Why do rally cars use so much opposite lock?
On loose gravel, snow, and mud surfaces, the tires do not maintain the same cornering mechanics as on tarmac. On loose surfaces, controlled rotation with opposite lock often provides better forward momentum through a corner than attempting to maintain tight traction. The technique allows drivers to use the full width of the road and carry speed while the car is sideways.
Does opposite lock slow a car down?
In most road-driving contexts, a slide with opposite lock means you have lost efficient traction and are slower through the corner than a driver maintaining grip. In specific motorsport contexts on loose surfaces, controlled slides can be as fast or faster than grip-based driving. For street driving, catching a slide with opposite lock is a safety skill, not a speed tool.

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