Hand position while driving?

Off-topic posts, quotes of the day and anything else you just would like to vent to the world. PG-13 or below PLEASE!
User avatar
RITmusic2k
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 2078
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:32 pm
Cars: 2004 BMW 330i ZHP
Location: Anaheim, CA
Contact:

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by RITmusic2k »

InlinePaul wrote:...On rare occasion in automatics I have found myself with both hands on top of the wheel and crossed--right hand left of left hand...
HOLY SHIT. You reminded me that I do this sometimes; it's a strangely natural position for me when I want to stretch/rest my hands on a long straight cruise. Haha!
tankinbeans
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 4029
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Cars: 17 Mazda6 To, 18 Mazda3 i
Location: Shakopee, MN

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by tankinbeans »

RITmusic2k wrote:
InlinePaul wrote:...On rare occasion in automatics I have found myself with both hands on top of the wheel and crossed--right hand left of left hand...
HOLY SHIT. You reminded me that I do this sometimes; it's a strangely natural position for me when I want to stretch/rest my hands on a long straight cruise. Haha!
I occasionally do that in Clifford, and shift with the opposite hand.
17 Mazda6 Touring
18 Mazda3 iSport
InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
Image
daleadbull
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 370
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:18 pm
Cars: VW Golf R

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by daleadbull »

Since we're posting pics of steering wheels, this is how mine looks (not my car but...):

Image

When cruising right arm in on the side and I hold the bulge at 8 o'clock.
2012 VW Golf R
Rope-Pusher
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 11607
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:44 pm
Cars: '08 Jeep Liberty
Location: Greater Detroit Area

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by Rope-Pusher »

daleadbull wrote:When cruising right arm in on the side and I hold the bulge at 8 o'clock.
Image
Heh, Heh,Heh. He said "Hold the bulge"
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
daleadbull
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 370
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:18 pm
Cars: VW Golf R

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by daleadbull »

Rope-Pusher wrote:
daleadbull wrote:When cruising right arm in on the side and I hold the bulge at 8 o'clock.
Image
Heh, Heh,Heh. He said "Hold the bulge"
Haha, I left that one especially for you Rope.
2012 VW Golf R
User avatar
Saabstory02
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 126
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:40 am
Cars: 2008 VW .:R32
Location: Southern MD
Contact:

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by Saabstory02 »

daleadbull wrote:Since we're posting pics of steering wheels, this is how mine looks (not my car but...):

Image

When cruising right arm in on the side and I hold the bulge at 8 o'clock.

My steering wheel looks identical (Did a Golf R swap into my TDI). I also swapped in the matching shifter and e-brake handle :wink:

This thread has me laughing; as it brings this to mind:

Image

:mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:
2012 Golf TDI - 6M, 4 Dr
| Chrome GTI Switches | Stainless Sport pedals | Golf R Steering Wheel, Shift Knob/boot & E-Brake | Moda MD6 wheels |
Image
User avatar
zenfiz6
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 200
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:40 pm
Cars: 2011 Audi A4 6MT
Location: Newport News, VA

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by zenfiz6 »

On long drives on open roads, I'll often stick my arms through the steering wheel BIG hole, rest my hands on the steering column, and drive with my wrists/forearms. It's a nice way to stretch out on the long, boring portions.

I wouldn't suggest this any time you might need to rotate the wheel more than 5-10 degrees.
2013 -- Present: 2011 Audi A4 6MT (45k---???)
2001 -- 2013 .... 1999 Honda Accord AT (RIP 239k)
1999 -- 2005 .... 1987 Acura Legend 5MT (RIP 174k)
daleadbull
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 370
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:18 pm
Cars: VW Golf R

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by daleadbull »

Saabstory02 wrote:My steering wheel looks identical (Did a Golf R swap into my TDI). I also swapped in the matching shifter and e-brake handle :wink:
It really is one of the best looking steering wheels imo (but I may be biased :wink: ). Too bad they changed it up for the MK7.
2012 VW Golf R
User avatar
Saabstory02
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 126
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:40 am
Cars: 2008 VW .:R32
Location: Southern MD
Contact:

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by Saabstory02 »

Agreed on both counts.
2012 Golf TDI - 6M, 4 Dr
| Chrome GTI Switches | Stainless Sport pedals | Golf R Steering Wheel, Shift Knob/boot & E-Brake | Moda MD6 wheels |
Image
tankinbeans
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 4029
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Cars: 17 Mazda6 To, 18 Mazda3 i
Location: Shakopee, MN

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by tankinbeans »

daleadbull wrote:Since we're posting pics of steering wheels, this is how mine looks (not my car but...):

Image

When cruising right arm in on the side and I hold the bulge at 8 o'clock.
Since you showed me yours, I'll show you mine.

Image
17 Mazda6 Touring
18 Mazda3 iSport
InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
Image
tankinbeans
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 4029
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Cars: 17 Mazda6 To, 18 Mazda3 i
Location: Shakopee, MN

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by tankinbeans »

Slightly related: shuffle steering or hand over hand?

My friend has her permit and does a lot of shuffle steering. Drives me nuts, but is there one that is better than the other? Should I continue to mention it when I'm her licensed passenger (in Minnesota the examiners look for hand over hand)?
17 Mazda6 Touring
18 Mazda3 iSport
InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
Image
User avatar
zenfiz6
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 200
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:40 pm
Cars: 2011 Audi A4 6MT
Location: Newport News, VA

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by zenfiz6 »

tankinbeans wrote:Slightly related: shuffle steering or hand over hand?

My friend has her permit and does a lot of shuffle steering. Drives me nuts, but is there one that is better than the other? Should I continue to mention it when I'm her licensed passenger (in Minnesota the examiners look for hand over hand)?
We've all done this, but I'm procrastinating, so I'll be verbose:

If I'm not in a high-acceleration turn, I'll typically stick an index finger in the proper crotch of the wheel (behave!) and spin it. Which finger depends on how tight the turn.

But if I'm, say, doing 50MPH on a 25MPH off-ramp... I might be a wee bit more careful and hang on a bit more securely to the wheel and do it hand-over-hand.
2013 -- Present: 2011 Audi A4 6MT (45k---???)
2001 -- 2013 .... 1999 Honda Accord AT (RIP 239k)
1999 -- 2005 .... 1987 Acura Legend 5MT (RIP 174k)
User avatar
Squint
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3390
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:44 pm
Location: KY

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by Squint »

I did a quick skim of the Kentucky Driver's Manual and didn't see anything about hand position while turning. However, I seem to remember being taught that you should do hand over hand (but don't let them cross too much - as in.. right hand at 9 oclock and left hand at 3 oclock. The hands should cross between ~10-2 oclock on the wheel). I always seem to see old people doing the shuffle hands :lol: :lol:
'15 Mazda 3 iSport Hatch 6MT
'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi

For Pony!
User avatar
RITmusic2k
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 2078
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:32 pm
Cars: 2004 BMW 330i ZHP
Location: Anaheim, CA
Contact:

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by 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.
User avatar
zenfiz6
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 200
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:40 pm
Cars: 2011 Audi A4 6MT
Location: Newport News, VA

Re: Hand position while driving?

Post by zenfiz6 »

RITmusic2k wrote: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?
2013 -- Present: 2011 Audi A4 6MT (45k---???)
2001 -- 2013 .... 1999 Honda Accord AT (RIP 239k)
1999 -- 2005 .... 1987 Acura Legend 5MT (RIP 174k)
Post Reply