How do you hold your steering wheel?

**Monseratto** · July 17th, 2012 04:15 PM

If you don't want to slap yourself when the airbag suddenly deploy...

4 things you didn't learn in driver's ed - Yahoo! Autos

Use Thumb Hangers... and Forget 10 and 2

A cop I know was once fiddling with the in-car computer with his right hand while driving the car with his left hand at 12 (the top of the steering wheel, for those of you young enough to be unfamiliar with analog clocks. We know you're out there.) When the distracted police officer smashed into a stopped car, the force of the airbag deployment flung his hand back into his face, and he broke out his front teeth with his own hand.

That, my friends, is why you don't drive with a hand at 12 o'clock. The 10 and 2 position, once the common wisdom of driver's ed classes, is also dead (or at least it should be) thanks to airbags. The proper position is 9 and 3, while the Italian-esque 8 and 4 is more than acceptable. Don't do those hand-over-hand turns anymore, either.

Most modern steering wheels have "thumb hangers" that naturally put your hands at 9 and 3 so you won't smack yourself if an airbag deploys. Below 14 mph (the approximate speed for airbag deployment) I don't care where put your hands. Nor will I get bent out of shape if you cross over 11 or 1 in an urgent situation. But my students need a good reason to cross 12 o'clock.

**JohnM** · July 17th, 2012 04:21 PM

Left hand 6 o'clock. Right hand :naughty2:

**vinj** · July 17th, 2012 04:25 PM

I use 9 and 3 o clock approximately... a free lesson thought to us by Kookie R. many years ago. Aside from the airbag factor, it's really the amount of movement leeway that the said position gives when you're driving and have to do an immediate move/turn/maneuver.

My cousin learned the hard way. He held the steering at 12-o'clock and injured his hand in an auto accident (due to airbag deployment).

**IMm29** · July 17th, 2012 04:28 PM

9 and 3 for me. More comfy coz of the "hangers", and this allows me to saw at the wheel if needs be.

**JohnM** · July 17th, 2012 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by vinj

I use 9 and 3 o clock approximately... a free lesson thought to us by Kookie R. many years ago. Aside from the airbag factor, it's really the amount of movement leeway that the said position gives when you're driving and have to do an immediate move/turn/maneuver.

Leverage could be a factor because the hands are as far apart as possible for more torque.

**chua_riwap** · July 17th, 2012 04:42 PM

sa 'kin 10/9 & 6. relax mode.
pero syempre pag gitgitan, shift to 9/3.

parang nakakangalay naman yung 9/3 kung matagalan.

**ZENMasterTYL** · July 17th, 2012 05:01 PM

most of the time 9

kapag singitan 9/3

relax mode 6

**cast_no_shadow** · July 17th, 2012 05:01 PM

lefthand at 12 is officially for douchebags!

Yan ang hindi ko magets, ang hirap kaya mag steer ng wheel pag naka one hand ka at 12.

Ako pag relax nasa 7.
pag gitgitan 10 and 2.

**vinj** · July 17th, 2012 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by chua_riwap

sa 'kin 10/9 & 6. relax mode.
pero syempre pag gitgitan, shift to 9/3.

parang nakakangalay naman yung 9/3 kung matagalan.

Angas boy mode? Baseball cap on, seatback all the way down low and crusin on your putol springs with one hand at 12 o' çlock. :D

**ecneret** · July 17th, 2012 05:05 PM

ako 9 and 3 din... pero pag relax mode, 6 lang, as in 2 or 3 fingers lang ang nakahawak..

pag racing mode, 12 and 4/5...

ang alam ko may tamang distance din dapat... parang yung wrist mo dapat sakto sa 12 ng steering wheel pag pinatong mo.. yun daw ang proper na distance... cmiiw...