Hand position while driving?

[daleadbull]

Since you showed me yours, I'll show you mine.

Looks nice and chunky! I like.

[tankinbeans]

And slightly confusing. 21 buttons (including dual purpose, excluding horn).

[ClutchFork]

Well I drove the 1997 Escort today and noticed bulges on the wheel, sticking out the back of the wheel. They were located at about 8 and 4 o'clock, which is where the spokes are, so I assume the purpose of the bulges is so you don't get annoyed by the spokes because the bulges move your fingers away from the spokes. Am I over analyzing this?

Also, I don't recall these bulges being present in the Ranger or Voyager. Perhaps they are growths? Steering wheel goiter?

[theholycow]

I always figured the bulges are for grip.

I dislike bulges and steering wheels that are thick in general. A pre-1990s domestic wheel with a cover is just the right thickness for me, or no cover on my 2002 GMC wheel (but I like covers so I tolerate the extra thickness). Wife's 2003 Sunfire, the 1997 Grand Am I had, and most vehicles from the past 10-15 years, I just feel like I'm a baby gripping an adult's arm -- and my hands are decently large.

[tankinbeans]

I find I prefer tetraspoked wheels over trispoked wheels. They seem more natural.

[ClutchDisc]

I don't have any buttons on my steering wheel. That makes me happy.

[mtheis]

I don't have any buttons on my steering wheel. That makes me happy.

No buttons here either... not that I'd mind them on a newer car, just not this one.

[Squint]

I don't have any buttons on my steering wheel. That makes me happy.

No buttons here either... not that I'd mind them on a newer car, just not this one.

Add NOS + buttons on Tercel steering wheel. Do it now!

[theholycow]

So I was thinking about this thread today while I was driving and here are my observations...

1. No shuffle. No hand-over-hand. It's all finger-spin, thanks to ultra-light power steering. With heavier steering I suspect I do all three, finger spin, shuffle, and hand-over-hand. After cutting it far I let it self-center while it slides through my hand instead of following it around, often.

2. Two spokes in a frown shape FTW. Perfect way to hold the wheel.

3. No buttons except the previous radio's remote control, which I never used as a remote but I found that it makes a perfect finger hole. I guess you could say the entire surface of both spokes is a button, the horn button. When my wife drives it she grips it too hard and blows the horn randomly.

4. Positions when not holding the spokes:
- 10 and 5, elbows on window sill and center arm rest
- 9 and 12, elbow on window sill and right arm airborne
- 9 or 10 or 12, right hand on shifter
- 5 or 12, left arm out window/right elbow on arm rest

[RITmusic2k]

Shuffle is the preferred racing method, since you always have two hands controlling the wheel. If it's good enough for them in the extremest of driving scenarios, it's good enough for me on the street.

How about your right turns from a stop light/sign?

In that case it's either a shuffle or an arm-cross. By the latter, I mean that I have my seat, steering wheel, and hands set up such that I can turn the wheel 180­° in either direction without having to take my hands off the wheel. Please refer to the magnificent MS-Paint diagram below:

[Squint]

I'm fairly certain my driving instructor from those 5 classes I took years ago said that crossing your arms like that would be frowned upon by the driving instructors. Though my memory of 10 years ago could be poor. So.. yeah. Take that with a grain of salt.

[daleadbull]

I'm fairly certain my driving instructor from those 5 classes I took years ago said that crossing your arms like that would be frowned upon by the driving instructors. Though my memory of 10 years ago could be poor. So.. yeah. Take that with a grain of salt.

I assume you're talking about those middle aged men who teach you to pass the driver's test. They're no better than regular drivers, they just teach you what they know will be on the written and practical test.

I'd venture to say that most of us on here are better drivers than they are. Both hand over hand and the sliding/shifting is acceptable, I was taught hand over hand by the instructor but he also said I should have my hands at 10 and 2 at all times but we all know 9 and 3 is much better.

I use hand over hand when driving casually and when driving hard you want to keep both hands on the wheel so either I just hold at 9 and 3 and twist or if I need more steering lock I use the shifting.

[Squint]

I'm fairly certain my driving instructor from those 5 classes I took years ago said that crossing your arms like that would be frowned upon by the driving instructors. Though my memory of 10 years ago could be poor. So.. yeah. Take that with a grain of salt.

I assume you're talking about those middle aged men who teach you to pass the driver's test. They're no better than regular drivers, they just teach you what they know will be on the written and practical test.

I'd venture to say that most of us on here are better drivers than they are. Both hand over hand and the sliding/shifting is acceptable, I was taught hand over hand by the instructor but he also said I should have my hands at 10 and 2 at all times but we all know 9 and 3 is much better.

I use hand over hand when driving casually and when driving hard you want to keep both hands on the wheel so either I just hold at 9 and 3 and twist or if I need more steering lock I use the shifting.

It's funny, I was taught 9-3 as well, but then my Fiesta has the little bumps on the steering wheel for grip at 10-2. It's not uncomfortable either way, just think that's an interesting tidbit.

[Rope-Pusher]

Who teaches the driver's education teachers how to teach driving?