Driving hand positions

[bueller555]

I just learned that new drivers are now being taught to hold their hands on their steering wheel at the 8 and 4 positions. That's why many steering wheels have hand holds at those positions. How do you drive?

 

[snork]

If I'm "actively" driving, my hands tend to be at 10 & 2.

If I'm lazily cruising on the highway, probably 8 & 4 because I'll rest my elbows by my sides.

I wonder why new drivers would be taught to have your hands at 8 & 4? I don't see how you could whip the wheel around in an emergency type situation with you hands at the bottom of the wheel?

 

[marty5marty]

This is why i have back problems

http://carsforhope.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/matthew_pham_23882.jpg

 

[dkoelzer337]

With all cars installed with airbags I've heard 3 and 9. Hook your thumbs around the steering wheel spokes

 

[DominicJE]

I tend to drive with one hand nearly all the time lol, driving with two hands feels so odd to me after using one hand for years. However, I drive with two feet as well. I guess I'm weird!

 

[homeofstone]

Mine or her's?

 

[SmoovC]

I tend to drive with one hand nearly all the time lol, driving with two hands feels so odd to me after using one hand for years. However, I drive with two feet as well. I guess I'm weird!

Same here!

 

[topspeed]

I normally drive with just one hand and I'll switch between left and right. My hand position on the wheel varies.

 

[marty5marty]

However, I drive with two feet as well. I guess I'm weird!

Like this? lol

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrAndRj1w...b3RRjo/s640/driving_in_the_bendy_position.jpg

 

[rrkhanna]

most of the time with one hand (left hand) if not 8 and 4.

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[SmoovC]

Like this? lol

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrAndRj1w...b3RRjo/s640/driving_in_the_bendy_position.jpg

The most attractive thing a woman can put behind her ears is her ankles....

 

[EXBMWGUY]

With all cars installed with airbags I've heard 3 and 9. Hook your thumbs around the steering wheel spokes

The reason for 3 and 9 is the number of broken arms caused by airbag deployments.

 

[Shawn33]

The reason for 8 & 4 is airbag deployment. It will push your arms down to your lap and keep them closer to your body then 10 & 2 or 9 & 3. They also suggest not sitting to close to the steering wheel. I have long legs so always wind up pretty far back as cars are not proportioned for people over 6'. Also I would discourage hooking your thumbs around the wheel because if the airbag does go off you don't want your thumbs trying to hold it back.

Shawn

 

[427435]

If you use 10 & 2 and have an airbag deployment, your hands are going to hit your chest very forcibly.

I use 3 & 6 for good control so I don't have to worry about airbag deployment!!


Edit: I just realized I misspoke above and that the poll is screwed up. I hold my hands at 9 & 3. Take my vote off off the 9 & 6!!!!

 

[homeofstone]

Like this? lol

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrAndRj1w...b3RRjo/s640/driving_in_the_bendy_position.jpg

So what does the photo of your last two girl friends have to do with anything.

 

[snork]

I suppose that makes sense for 8 & 4 and air bag deployment, but not for being able to effectively steer the car. Watch any professional race driver...10 & 2 or 9 & 3. And watch a NASCAR in-car video of a crash for why you DON'T want to hook your thumbs on the wheel. If you get spun around the wheel could rip them off

 

[stpetermi]

I tend to drive with one hand nearly all the time lol, driving with two hands feels so odd to me after using one hand for years. However, I drive with two feet as well. I guess I'm weird!

Same here-left hand about 8.5ish and both feet with a knee every now and then

 

[Qbedobedoo]

Not sure how I hold my hands when simply cruising, but when going faster and especially when cornering at higher speed, I hold my hands at 9 & 3, simply because it makes pushing the steering wheel easier and much more controlled. You never want to pull on the wheel to steer, always push it away from you.

I've driven manual transmissions most of my life, so I'm very comfortable using both feet, and now that I drive an automatic, it just makes for faster accelerations from a stand still!!!

 

[PMCErnie]

One hand at 8:30 and one hand over wife's mouth.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

One hand at 8:30 and one hand over wife's mouth.

That would not work for me -- her voice guidance has been known to be more accurate than my navigation, plus she's ok with inputting the city first.

The one thing I haven't learned to minimize are the permanent fingerprints she leaves on anything she can grab on to during periods of intense lateral acceleration.