Steering Wheel Position

[grober]

I would encourage the 10 to 2 position rather than the quarter to three since ergonomically this would dictate a slight bent arms position which conveys a better mechanical advantage to exert a turning force on the wheel. I reckon this is the origin of the 10 to 2 recommended position dating from a pre power steering era. With regard to the "thumbs position" if you ever go on an off road course one of the first things they teach you is not to wrap your thumbs round the wheel rim. I am surprised Mercedes don't mention this in their ML owners handbook- maybe they do.

 

[Gemdo]

I see there are strong opinions on the 10 to quarter to saga. There is a stupid 'rule' about driving properly due to the DVLA and their genius ways. But I believe its a rule of thumb, so long as your comfy and you adapt to the wheel thats offered infront of you when you get in the hot seat. Some 3 spoke wheels make it impossible to achieve a comfortable quarter to. But ten to seems to always be available in nearly every car steering wheel you come across. I have a feeling the rule of thumb say that 10 to is the 'ideal' manner. But i drive anyhow so what does it matter to me?! Fight your corners guys!

 

[steve333]

After an 'event' this afternoon when I had to take some extreme evasive action, I wonder how others hold the wheel.

To describe, I was planning to overtake a number of cars on a upcoming straight, after a right hand turning.

For whatever reason (I suspect either late braking, and indicating or non-working brake lights) I misread the first cars intentions. As I was about to start the overtake, it suddenly became clear that they were in fact turning right.

I had nowhere to go, apart from to swerve around her to avoid a confrontation. If I had not been holding the wheel at '10 to 2' there is no way I would have managed to complete the maneuver. I was very impressed with the cars composure under severe pressure.

Just wondered how others hold the wheel? I was lucky as I am normally more relaxed, and it was only the fact that I was preparing to overtake that meant I was more 'prepared'.

PS The assumptions and mistakes were mine, and I was lucky to get away with it. Some thinking to do on that - closest I have been to an accident for some time.

Glad to hear you came out of a potentially bad situation ok & have had the balls to come on a public forum & admit you may have made a mistake(none of us are perfect drivers,i've been driving for over 30 years & do so for a living now & i'm definately not the best driver in the world but i don't think i am either)

 

[Mercy1]

I must be a truly appalling driver. I dislike 10 to 2 and quarter to three, especially on a long run, because if you momentarily lift one hand from the wheel then invariably the car seems to drift a fraction offline the other way. (This is definitely the case when MOH is driving and makes me wince). I am obviously wrong, but my view is that cars do not need steering in a straight line - all modern cars sit nicely on the road and their direction only need adjusting to keep it on the straight and narrow, or, obviously, to manoeuvre. So I confess I usually steer with my right hand at around the five o'clock position - poised to react to whatever unfolds in front of me. That's clearly wrong from what everyone says, so it seems unlikely that I will get through my 45th year of unblemished driving (touch wood!) without suffering a prang!

 

[SilverSaloon]

10 to 2 and push pull steering. I also sit very close to the wheel for greater control over the car.

 

[st4]

 

[jefrs]

I generally prefer one hand on either side of the wheel, but I do find the best place for the wheel is in front of me.

Now the missus prefers the 5 to 1 hamster position which means that as the car rocks, the steering goes left-right and so everyone gets seasick.

 

[The mallard]

A bit of thread drift, but I understand the origins of the 'ten to two' position go back to very early issues of Roadcraft, which was partly written by a racing driver of the time.

These were the days of no power steering, steering boxes, and large steering wheels, and the ten to two, push/pull method was considered best practice for the cars of that period, as was double de clutching for the crash gear box etc.

Cars developed, power steering became common, steerng wheels smaller, gearboxes became with 'synchomesh' but did Roadcraft change???

It has evolved, but very slowly. as all changes have to be approved by numerous Police driving schools, and the 'old habits die hard,we have always done it this way' mentality prevails.

I recall some years ago, (probably more than I realise) a fundamental review was proposed and industry experts suggested teaching keep the hands fixed on the wheel and cross your arms as current racing techniques used etc, but of course it is very hard to change the mind set of some and what could have been a massive overhaul became another gentle fiddling exercise, although they did remove the requirement to double declutch!!

I would suggest hold the wheel in whatever manner is most comfortable and appropriate that will give you control of the car in the circumstances you are in.

 

[st4]

The issue with keeping the hands fixed on the wheel for road use is a silly one, a crossed hands position allows for a very fast turn through 180 degress either way, i.e. a full 360 turn of the wheel, or 1 turn. Modern cars are usually 3 turns lock to lock and as such this does not allow for a full turn at the wheel.

You often need to turn the wheel more than 180 degress, say turning a sharp bend, turning at a junction etc. Until cars have a very fast steering racks, its impractical for day to day driving. I tend to mix the road craft pull push method with keeping the hands fixed, depending on what the situation I am encountering, but I am no expert, just a bloke on the internet