Where Do You Put Your Hands On The Steering Wheel?

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Barrybobvt

Member

Sep 19, 2012

19

2

13

Oct 13, 2012

#1

• Oct 13, 2012

• #1

Ok, so I have owned many cars, and am particular about the ergonomics of seating position, steering wheel and shifter. The bottom line is you need to be comfortable when driving right?

The biggest factor for me is the steering wheel. In most pre-airbag cars I have owned I have swapped out the steering wheel for a nice aftermarket wheel. That's more of a challenge now, but steering wheels have gotten nicer too.

So here is my beef: The 2005+ three-spoke steering wheel design makes it impossible to rest your hand at the bottom, the most comfortable place! I have even thought of remounting it about 10-15 deg. off-center.

So, where do you put your hands on the wheel when driving? Doesn't the stock wheel make you crazy?

BB

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

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Oct 13, 2012

#2

• Oct 13, 2012

• #2

Wait... Steering wheel?

 

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Barrybobvt

Member

Sep 19, 2012

19

2

13

Oct 13, 2012

#3

• Oct 13, 2012

• #3

Yeah, I get there are many other places we put our hands other than than steering wheel, but you need at least one most of the time!

 

LarsD

Founding Member

Jul 2, 2002

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Texas

Oct 13, 2012

#4

• Oct 13, 2012

• #4

I'm most comfortable at 3 and 9, but the two side spokes make it pretty uncomfortable. I guess it isn't so bad since that is really my only complaint.

 

Clair Smith

Active Member

Apr 4, 2012

186

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Norfolk Va

Oct 13, 2012

#5

• Oct 13, 2012

• #5

I do 3 9 as well

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

 

OracleHCR

Active Member

Mar 19, 2012

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Crestview, Fl

Oct 13, 2012

#6

• Oct 13, 2012

• #6

They used to teach 10 and 2. Over the years people have gotten lazy and it fell to 3 - 9. I still put my hands at 10 and 2. You really shouldn't drive with your hand at the bottom because it changes up the steering directions. (To go right you move your hand to the left and vise versa)
This works great if you are trying to back up with a trailer but not the safest hand position when going down the highway. Especially if you are driving with just one hand in the first place.

 

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Barrybobvt

Member

Sep 19, 2012

19

2

13

Oct 13, 2012

#7

• Oct 13, 2012

• #7

I guess my real question is whether the spoke at the bottom of the stock wheel bugs anyone other than me because I like to put my hand at the bottom. Anyone?

 

TheShabz

Member

Aug 4, 2012

275

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Los Angeles

Oct 15, 2012

#8

• Oct 15, 2012

• #8

Not me. If I was a bottom dweller, it probably would. The steering wheel is perfect for me at 4 and 8. Adjustments are made by pulling down on the steering wheel. For bigger turns (left), right hand upside down at 3 and pull left.

 

JKidd

Member

Aug 21, 2007

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Suffield, CT

Oct 16, 2012

#9

• Oct 16, 2012

• #9

10 and 2 for me. I got in the habbit (years ago) of getting myself in the proper driving position (seat position, distance from the wheel, hand positions, etc.) every time I get in the car. This was based on several driving schools (Skip Barber) and the recommendations from the instructors. Now, any other position doesn't feel as comfortable. If I am feeling exceptionally lazy (and it does happen from time to time) and I NEED to go with just one hand on the wheel, it is my left hand on top at 11:45-12:00. Anything else and I don't feel I have nearly the ability to control the car the way I would want to.

Comfort should not come at the expense of being able to properly and effectively operate the vehicle - you need to find a balance between comfort and the proper form necessary to execute maneuvers in an emergency situation. Maybe that is why they don't care if there is a spoke at the bottom of the steering wheel since your hand isn't supposed to be there anyway.

 

StreetsideStig

Active Member

Feb 22, 2011

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Oct 16, 2012

#10

• Oct 16, 2012

• #10

I'm a farmer on the left and a racecar driver on the right. (not my car, though)

 

95Vert383AOD

15 Year Member

Jun 10, 2008

1,133

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69

New Bedford, MA

Oct 16, 2012

#11

• Oct 16, 2012

• #11

I put my hand in the same place Vanilla Ice did. I have my Ph.D in Douchebaggery

 

Reactions: StreetsideStig

LAVAgt2012

Well-Known Member

Aug 11, 2011

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Panama City, FL

Oct 17, 2012

#12

• Oct 17, 2012

• #12

12 and upper thigh area normally