How do you hold your steering wheel?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sn00pie
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How do you [i]usually[/i] hold your steering wheel, when driving normally?


  • Total voters
    56
A1 On a long or relaxed drive. I can rest my arm on the windowsill and do this for long periods of time.
B On a 'serious' drive (ie, most of the time - many of the roads around here require it), and when I'm autocrossing I'll be slightly above that.
C When I'm reversing.

I can just reach the turn signal from A1, and I can reach all the stereo controls with my hand on the shifter when I'm in 1st, 3rd, or 5th.

My knees occasionally make contact with the wheel, as well.
 
A or B. Unless you actually are changing gear, A1 and B1 do not leave you able to control the vehicle correctly in case of blowout or impact, etc.

And if you drive C, you're a Barry and you deserve to fall off the road horribly at less than 5mph so that you're not hurt but are the object of ridicule for everyone around you. Ask Famine what a Barry is. :D

A properly designed wheel and cockpit should also enable you drive with your arms in a a slightly bent position such that you can cross your arms to touch each other at the elbows when turning the wheel around half-a-turn - i.e. you have one complete turn of lock without taking your hands off the wheel. The vast majority of normal driving can be accomplished this way - and any racing circuit you'd care to mention. Driving a capable car with paddleshifts becomes great fun this way. :D
 
I used option B1 in the Volkswagen all the time, usually with the elbow resting on the armrest or on the windowsill. I will occasionally go to option A when I'm driving with some speedy intentions, but that doesn't happen too often. Or at least in this case, won't, since she isn't working any longer...
 
I drive on B, always. If I need to shift or do something else, I'll do it but go back to b when I'm done.

A or B. Unless you actually are changing gear, A1 and B1 do not leave you able to control the vehicle correctly in case of blowout or impact, etc.

And if you drive C, you're a Barry and you deserve to fall off the road horribly at less than 5mph so that you're not hurt but are the object of ridicule for everyone around you. Ask Famine what a Barry is.

A properly designed wheel and cockpit should also enable you drive with your arms in a a slightly bent position such that you can cross your arms to touch each other at the elbows when turning the wheel around half-a-turn - i.e. you have one complete turn of lock without taking your hands off the wheel. The vast majority of normal driving can be accomplished this way - and any racing circuit you'd care to mention. Driving a capable car with paddleshifts becomes great fun this way.

+invisible rep.👍
 
I voted other because I have two distinctly different driving positions based upon mood and such.

"Spirited" drving: Either C or B1 on that list and me holding my shifter with my right hand--yes even in an automatic. After owning alot of manual cars it's just instinct.
"Comfy" driving: My left hand on the bottom/left portion of the steering wheel usually holding the pillar inbetween the horn and actual wheel and my right arm on the armrest/console.
 
I normally go with option B, unless I'm changing gears :sly: Option B is what I was instructed to do by driving instructors (from proper safe drive schools) and performance booklets, and it's what the racing drivers do anyway.
 
I'd have to go with "C1", basically C with my right hand on the shifter...either that or my left hand on the left spoke.
 
Do you flail your arm around frantically if you get into a slide while doing spirited driving in the C position?

I've seen it happen too many times...

Nope, I'm quite competent on my drivng ability with one arm on the steering wheel where ever it is. I've owned enough RWD vehicles to know how to not only correct a tail out inadvertant skid but I also can do some respectable slides with said one arm. Don't automatically ASSUME I'm inept at driving. :D If I can drive my Camaro with enough torque to spin the earth in the opposite direction in the ice with no ABS and no traction control safely and effectively I'd call that some pretty decent enough skill. ;)
 
JCE
Nope, I'm quite competent on my drivng ability with one arm on the steering wheel where ever it is. I've owned enough RWD vehicles to know how to not only correct a tail out inadvertant skid but I also can do some respectable slides with said one arm. Don't automatically ASSUME I'm inept at driving. :D If I can drive my Camaro with enough torque to spin the earth in the opposite direction in the ice with no ABS and no traction control safely and effectively I'd call that some pretty decent enough skill. ;)
Just making sure, I'm so used to the typical "coming out of a corner, step on gas, rear breaks out, and then swerve, swerve, swerve," with the hand at the c position, and usually leads to spinning or worse.
 
When driving normally, I almost always use C. Purely force of habit.

My seat's never leaned back or anything like that either, so I avoid the idiot-look. My right arm rests on the console. I actually really hate driving cars that don't have a high enough center console for me to rest my elbow on.
 
I voted A and I usually use either A or B during normal or spirited driving. I was taught to do that so my hands usually end up there subconciously.
 
I actually really hate driving cars that don't have a high enough center console for me to rest my elbow on.

what cars have a high enough center console?

what I hate is when the highest position of the steering wheel is still in your crotch.
 
Just making sure, I'm so used to the typical "coming out of a corner, step on gas, rear breaks out, and then swerve, swerve, swerve," with the hand at the c position, and usually leads to spinning or worse.

Duely noted. :sly:
 
Bitemarks in your steering wheel hurt your resale value. 👎

:lol:

I'm an option A/A1 type, myself. I've been trying to get away from A1 and more to A, but I get lazy.
 
I do A, A1, B1 and C, but when just cruising along on a straight road/quiet motorway my hands are usually at 4 and 8 o'clock.

My driving instructor almost killed me when I started doing A1 on my PassPlus, but that's only cause I was cruising on the motorway with one hand resting on the gearstick.
 
Option A for me. That's how I was instructed to hold the wheel in the kart because it's easier to pull the wheel to turn. After that I tried it in the car and found that I could turn the wheel further without moving my hands to a new position. That's my position for sporty driving.

I rest on normal drives often, in which case I usually do B1. That way the spoke on the left side of my steering wheel holds my hand up for me, and I've got the other on the armrest.
 
I tend to shift between "A" and "B," Mostly "A" because of my steering wheel. I fidget greatly. I hate the "Gangsta Ryde" (C, with the seat tilted WAAAAY back) as I feel it makes said driver look lazy.

I also, while turning, tend to use something of a shuffle-steering technique. I'll usually move my hands to a new position coming into a turn, (usually hand on the outside of the corner goes lower) so that I can move the wheel a bit more, and so they're at "B" (or, at least, opposite each other,) Midcorner. I also sit fairly close, and upright. Better control.
 
Whenever I turn the wheel, I usually use my palm and spin the wheel (similar to using one of those knobs, except no wrapping of fingers around the rim).
 
How about all of the above, and more?

I use A1/B1 if I'm cruising, commuting, or doing minor spirited driving, A/B if I'm doing spirited driving, and C if I'm palm-steering or if I just feel like it. A or B depend on the design of the steering wheel (ie. the location of its spokes).

I also sometimes hold the wheel with one hand at the 8 or 6 o'clock position if I'm relaxing on a freeway trip, and sometimes hold it with one hand at the 2 or 3 o'clock position if I don't need to shift and am holding a drink.
 
I voted a1 but it's more b1 I think. With the window down and my elbow out. :sly:

Having a Mini is great like that - elbow on the door in the sun, hand still clamped on the rim. Try it in your car, bet ya can't do it. :D
 
I shift between 9 and 3 (B), and 5 and 7 (Other), depending on the situation. The former is used when I drive on the motorway or when I need manouverability, and the latter is for relaxed, straight-way driving.

I've also noticed that I "shuffle" when driving with my hand in the 9 and 3 position. Probably because I usually wear a jacket or a blazer when driving - not so easy to wrap the arms around then.
 
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