Where Do You Put Your Hands On The Steering Wheel?

[Barrybobvt]

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]

Wait... Steering wheel?

 

[Barrybobvt]

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]

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]

I do 3 9 as well

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

 

[OracleHCR]

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.

 

[Barrybobvt]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[95Vert383AOD]

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

 

[LAVAgt2012]

12 and upper thigh area normally