How to use a steering wheel

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 5 Jun 2020 14:46
How to use a steering wheel - Silas Marner

Staring out of my window on lockdown at the passing traffic, and watching people drive cars on TV, I estimate 80% of folk hold the steering wheel with one hand placed on the very top of the rim. Why?? I've tried it briefly and it's very awkward and uncomfortable - surely another indication the 21st century is doing to the dogs?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 17:24
How to use a steering wheel - Engineer Andy

Staring out of my window on lockdown at the passing traffic, and watching people drive cars on TV, I estimate 80% of folk hold the steering wheel with one hand placed on the very top of the rim. Why?? I've tried it briefly and it's very awkward and uncomfortable - surely another indication the 21st century is doing to the dogs?

You must have REALLY good eyesight to be able to see how drivers hold their car's steering wheel from your home's window. I somehow think that people doing so, whilst daft, is not an indication of the world going 'to the dogs', given I'm sure lots of people did this before 2000.

Besides, I'm getting the distinct whiff of future canned pork products being posted, 'dude'.

Y'all have a good day.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 17:36
How to use a steering wheel - Zippy123

A whole society is going to the dogs because some people are holding the steering wheel incorrectly. Get real! You may as well say society is going to the dogs because someone cannot get their idioms right.

The correct position is now quarter to three to give room for the airbag to deploy and to avoid being de-gloved - an absolutely horrible injury where the hand loses its skin due to the force of an airbag.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 17:43
How to use a steering wheel - alan1302

canned pork products

I think you are obsessed with them - I have visions of your kitchen cupboards full of the stuff!!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 17:59
How to use a steering wheel - Avant

Agreed. 'Silas Marner' has been with us since 2016.

If someone posts a dodgy link, they'll be out. Otherwise we have to assume that queries on here are genuine, unless they're either completely fatuous or posted on here in error instead of on an American website.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 6 Jun 2020 13:47
How to use a steering wheel - Engineer Andy

A very odd comment then from the OP, who's been a member for 4 years. To me, it sounded like the prelude to them posting an advertisement for male potency cream or witchdoctor services...

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 6 Jun 2020 13:50
How to use a steering wheel - Engineer Andy

canned pork products

I think you are obsessed with them - I have visions of your kitchen cupboards full of the stuff!!

Whilst I've bough 'fresh' spam occaionally at the supermarket deli counter, I've never bought any of the (original) canned variety. Perfectly OK to taste (spam fritters being a fave at school), but I prefer ordinary (proper) ham.

I just don't like spammers. :-)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 18:20
How to use a steering wheel - Manatee

There are some markers for poor driving. One is things dangling from the mirror, another is driving with one hand on top of the wheel.

I can drive with one hand but I choose not to. Control is so much better with two. Plus, if the airbag were to go off while the arm is resting across it, there's likely to be be a resultant injury.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 20:26
How to use a steering wheel - Bolt

There are some markers for poor driving. One is things dangling from the mirror, another is driving with one hand on top of the wheel.

I can drive with one hand but I choose not to. Control is so much better with two. Plus, if the airbag were to go off while the arm is resting across it, there's likely to be be a resultant injury.

The way I see it is as long as your driving is safe and controlled, no reason why you cannot drive with one hand on wheel, I do occasionally, and if driving instructors do as I have seen a few -then anyone else can

I wouldn't call it bad or poor driving unless car was not being controlled properly, speeding lately is more of a problem imo

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 20:40
How to use a steering wheel - S40 Man

With modern power steering I don't think it will make much difference.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 22:49
How to use a steering wheel - alan1302

With modern power steering I don't think it will make much difference.

If you have to suddenly swerve having both hands on the wheel means you ca react quicker and with more force if required.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Jun 2020 23:02
How to use a steering wheel - bathtub tom
If you have to suddenly swerve having both hands on the wheel means you ca react quicker and with more force if required.

With modern power steering you don't need any force.

What does alarm me is seeing folk grab the top of the wheel underhand to swing it. If for any reason they need to turn it the other way, they can't. If they then hit anything and the airbag goes off - instant broken forearm. Ask any A&E staff.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 6 Jun 2020 15:36
How to use a steering wheel - Manatee

The way I see it is as long as your driving is safe and controlled, no reason why you cannot drive with one hand on wheel, I do occasionally, and if driving instructors do as I have seen a few -then anyone else can

I wouldn't call it bad or poor driving unless car was not being controlled properly, speeding lately is more of a problem imo

It's easy to drive with one hand and keep proper control until it isn't.

Most of the time you don't need a high level of control and most of the time it's predictable when you won't. It's the other times when it matters.

I made it a habit a few years back to use both hands and I believe it has improved my driving, and in particular positioning on the road. Hard to say why - probably because I'm thinking about what I'm doing a bit more, and it's easier quickly to make adjustments when needed.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link