Steering Wheel. Where to place hands?

yobarr · Guru

Steering Wheel. Where to place hands?

Possum3 · Guru

"Ten to Two" - Is how we were taught - Is also how I taught as a 4WD Instructor. Also placing thumbs under the steering wheel (encircling the grip) is not approved, particularly in 4WD, as thumbs can be broken if/when steering is jerked by hitting rock or pothole.

Driving with one hand and turning wheel with heel of palm (quite doable in modern vehicles with power assisted steering) would be an immediate fail.

Edit again 10 X 2.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

People in trucks should not be looking down into vehicles (and up ladies skirts).

Edit spelling and 10 X 2 Either uncle Al or just thumb in bum and mind in neutral.

-- Edited by Possum3 on Tuesday 20th of December 2022 01:27:56 PM

Wannabe nomad · Senior Member

This is what I learned when I did a 4x4 wheel driving course last year, and I bow to my instructors years of knowledge/experience.
10 & 2 (was the recommended one)
9 & 3
9 & 2
But whatever way you choose always have both hands on the wheel as much as possible to give yourself more control in the event of the unexpected. AND keep your thumbs on the outside of the steering wheel because if you get a blow out or hit a pot hole and your thumbs are on the inside you may well be to busy nursing damaged hands to be able to control your vehicle. This is super important if going off road, because a minor deviation in the road surface could cause your thumbs to get hurt quite badly.

Wannabe nomad · Senior Member

You beat me to it possum

Possum3 · Guru

Wannabe nomad wrote:
You beat me to it possum

But you got it right first time;

I was lucky enough to be taught pursuit and defensive by some of the best; They had some pretty good "Solo 1" riders as well.

Bobdown · Guru

I thought all truckies had a 'joint' in one hand and a stubby in the other....... confuse

vince56 · Senior Member

9 and 3 if going quick, ie racing, 10 and 2 on the highway thumbs in, 4x4 as Possum pointed out, thumbs definitely outside of the wheel.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

10 to 2 for me trained as an ECN T109 driver(Army), and as an Instructor, in same said license class, was always the way to use the steering wheel.

yobarr · Guru

Bobdown wrote:
I thought all truckies had a 'joint' in one hand and a stubby in the other.......

Only when on dirt roads, Bob, or at least 50km from towns. Important to obey other laws so there is less likelihood of being stopped. Cheers

jontee · Veteran Member

G`day ,
Mate is a driving instructor , 9 : 3 is the preferred position now because it is deemed safer when an air bag in steering wheel deploys
.
Cheers ,
Jontee

Long Weekend · Guru

I seem to remember hearing fairly recently that the switch from the approved 10 to 2 to the 20 to 4 position on the steering wheel was because of the introduction of air bags. That would account for all old time drivers sticking to 10 to 2 while younger ones are using the 20 to 4 position.

(iontee - you got in just as I started to type. A quarter to three would probably be better than twenty to four.)

Murray

Possum3 · Guru

The deployment of steering wheel airbag/s should only occur after a frontal impact in which case the elevated hands 10:10 position would assist in preventing facial fractures by dampening some of the airbag velocity.

The hands being in 3:3 or 8:4 may twist arms back and injure the clavicle/s.

The clavicle or collarbone is a long bone that serves as a strut between the shoulder blade and the sternum or breastbone.

There are two clavicles, one on the left and one on the right. The clavicle is the only long bone in the body that lies horizontally. Together with the shoulder blade it makes up the shoulder girdle.

10:2 is still the correct position for hands.

Ivan 01 · Guru

jontee wrote:
G`day ,
Mate is a driving instructor , 9 : 3 is the preferred position now because it is deemed safer when an air bag in steering wheel deploys
.
Cheers ,
Jontee

Yes, this is now the current suggestion.

In the past it was 10 to 2 but the new 9 to 3 apparently is being recommended now due to motor vehicle design with many controls on the steering wheel

at the outer area of the spoke and as well as the air bag statement.

The other argument is wether we should push the steering wheel or pull the steering wheel when turning.

One handed steering is cool, apparently, as are knobs on steering wheels. The biggest worry is which hand do you have on the *knob*

Whenarewethere · Guru

Usually about 9 & 3 to press all the buttons on the steering wheel with thumbs, to launch nukes, that sort of stuff!

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Left hand at 11 ! Right arm resting on arm rest . Have to be comfortable !! Swap when changing gears !!

gold dandelion · Senior Member

No one has even bothered to mention the distance from the steering wheel, just as important and taught in all high pursuit training

Possum3 · Guru

Steering Knobs (Spinners) are illegal in all States of Australia unless fitted and approved as a Disability Control and vehicle registered with said modification.

See Vehicle Standard, ADR 10/02 - Steering Column - 2008 Sect 3-2-1 & 7-1.

Edit Link added. Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/02 Steering Column) 2008 (legislation.gov.au)

-- Edited by Possum3 on Wednesday 21st of December 2022 10:18:08 AM

Possum3 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Usually about 9 & 3 to press all the buttons on the steering wheel with thumbs, to launch nukes, that sort of stuff!

Steering Wheels with audio controls, etc - controls are fitted at 9:3 - the area between 10:11:12:1:2 & 8:7:6:5:4 remains clear. To grip steering wheel at 9:3 your palm of hand is likely to foul audio controls.

Whenarewethere · Guru

gold dandelion wrote:
No one has even bothered to mention the distance from the steering wheel, just as important and taught in all high pursuit training

The handbook for my car notes safe distance from steering wheel airbag.

I have noticed quite a few drivers who take this to the extreme & they have their the driver's seat in a nanometre of horizontal position. I am surprised that they can actually see over the dashboard.

A bit like a neighbour who is vertically challenged & has the seat more upright than the Pope with a quoir full on school boys after hours & the still has issues seeing the real situation!

Roy E · Senior Member

When I lived in Dubai, I occasionally saw Arab youths driving large 4WDs, steering with their feet with driver's seat a long way back, seat back partly reclined, a phone in one hand and a water bottle in the other.
They didn't seem to care at all where their feet were placed on the steering wheel.
Cheers,
Roy.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Forget to mention the arm rests left & right, & the power steering when hitting potholes. Not really aware of potholes.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

What are pot holes ? Ahahaha

Gundog · Guru

You could use a suicide knob.

86GTS · Senior Member

Screenshot_20221221-152952_Samsung Internet.jpg

Hylife · Guru

The modern steering wheel is designed for 20 to 4 and to hook in the index finger (and perhaps the thumb) around the radial.

Better control when your arms can use your torso to lessen movement.

Watch a vid on high performance vehicles that don't have a full circle wheel, the hand holds are 20 to 4.

Oh, and the old hand over hand for tight turns with a wheel is no longer taught, just palms now.

Whenarewethere · Guru

I had my own car & a company car at the same time.

One had a steering wheel a metre diameter with 4 turns lock to lock.

The other 2.7 lock to lock turned with little finger.

If I hadn't driven my car for some time I forget the effort it took. My arm muscles have disappeared due to power steering.

iana · Guru

The proper way to work the steering wheel, if you watch Mark Webber driving his cars, is to put the palm of your right hand at about 2 0clock and keep the left hand on the gear stick. With the pressure of the ball of your hand on the wheel, you can easily turn the wheel in any direction. (Yeah, I know, but he's meant to lead by example)

yobarr · Guru

Hylife wrote:
The modern steering wheel is designed for 20 to 4 and to hook in the index finger (and perhaps the thumb) around the radial.
Better control when your arms can use your torso to lessen movement.
Watch a vid on high performance vehicles that don't have a full circle wheel, the hand holds are 20 to 4.
Oh, and the old hand over hand for tight turns with a wheel is no longer taught, just palms now.

Would be most interesting to learn where you sourced this "information". We are not discussing high performance cars, such as F1 models, where the steering is much more direct, and there never is a need to turn the wheel anywhere near a full turn. We are discussing everyday cars, 4wds and tow vehicles etc that we all drive, and without "shuffling" your hands it is physically impossible to turn a steering wheel more than a few degrees if you have your hands at 20 to 4, not to mention the extended time that this takes. Try it, and see how long it takes you to turn the wheel 360 degrees by "shuffling" your hands on the wheel. Ian clearly understands the wisdom of the "10 and 2" position, where it is easy to swing the wheel in either direction, even with only one hand on the wheel. Just watch Sleepy Tripp in action. Although I haven't studied racing drivers' actions I would be most surprised, even astounded, to see any one of them holding the steering wheel at 20 to 4. Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 22nd of December 2022 10:59:33 PM

Greg 1 · Guru

As someone who has been a driving instructor, taught advanced driving and raced cars as a hobby including taking instruction from some very experienced ex touring car drivers, you never ever drive with your hands at 20 to 4. 10 to 2 or 9 and 3 are the two correct positions to maintain proper control of the car. Anyone teaching otherwise isn't a drivers fundamental. In a race car the 9 and 3 position is preferred or just slightly above. It is frowned upon by good racing driver instructors to drive one handed and very few do. Change gear, hand back on wheel until next gear change. At high corner speeds and quick racks you need both hands on the wheel to muscle the car around the corner. Whilst most people will never drive at the speeds reached on a race track, the fundamental things that make for good car control on the track, translate straight across to driving our road cars. I would like to see more people take the opportunity to take some advanced instruction on a race track because I believe it makes for better drivers, both in skill and attitude.

Possum3 · Guru

Greg 1 wrote:
I would like to see more people take the opportunity to take some advanced instruction on a racetrack because I believe it makes for better drivers, both in skill and attitude.

It would be more practical to take an advanced driving course period. Most GN readers will never drive Rally Sport (Rallye) nor Formula 1 - But Defensive Driving and Vehicle Control may save someone's life.

It is a pity that the average Australian Male believes themselves to be above the average with regard to their capabilities - as one that has witnessed the aftermath of many of these "better than average drivers" tragedies that occur on our roads daily, all I can say is they are delusional to the extreme.