Steering Wheel Hand Placement

I’ve been teaching people this technique for many years, but it isn’t easy to convince people to keep at it until it becomes their new norm.   But those that do convert love it.  

One concern I still have is that even at low speeds, I.e. parking lot speeds, air bags can still deploy from minor bumps, like running into a 6” divider at 10 km/hr. 

Too bad there isn’t a minimum deployment speed specified in vehicle standards, I.e. 15 km/hr for example.   

So I don’t like hand-over-hand even at low speeds.

While I appreciate your comments of reading the owners manual, it would only apply to newer vehicles.

If I read my owners manual, it says because of the airbag, to place hands at the 10 & 2 Position. So, even though I read my manual, I still may not be getting the most current information you are speaking about.  

If you drive a new vehicle, it would likely tell you differently or as you specified, as that is what is the current standard for hands on the wheel.

For me, if I were having to take a driving test to renew my license I would probably go and find the latest booklet for new drivers and review it, but lots wouldn't.

I happen to be one of those people who read the owners manual from cover to cover when I get a new vehicle, or when I need some information. If I were to consult my manual it would tell me to place my hands at 10 and 2 as that was the standard for my vehicle when it was produced.

I am astounded by the number of people who don't read their manuals and have no idea the vast amount of great information that is available in there.

From your comment, I am assuming that you are thinking that everyone is driving a vehicle that was manufactured over the past few years. I am sure it would be in those manuals.

For reference, I think ICBC still excepts 10-2, 9-3 or 8-4 as hand positions for road tests, the key being balance.

If you have balance then you can relax your arm and shoulder muscles, reducing fatigue during long hours of driving.

I wasn’t as keen on 7-5 when we wrote the road test criteria as it tends to be like standing with your feet really close together (less passive leverage, so not as self balancing as the other positions) but as far as I know, examiners don’t mark it as an error.

I use (and taught) 10-2 or 9-3 as preferred options because it allows you to use gravity to overcome the static friction and self centering of the wheel when you initiate a turn, by releasing one hand and letting the weight of the other arm start the turn (pull-push rather than push-pull) further decreasing fatigue.

10-2 still puts your arms outside of or on the edges of the wheel (so the airbag might not displace your arms, or would blow them outward, rather than into your face)

Hello Tim, I'm a long time reader and appreciate the work you do.  I'm puzzled by your recent article on steering wheel hand placement. I've done many high performance driving courses and had significant race track experience. The very first thing that is taught is seating and hand position. Seat position should be such that with your back against the seat you can hang your wrist over the top of the steering wheel. Hand position should be 9 and 3. Nothing else is acceptable.  Grip on the wheel should be relaxed.  I was initially roundly criticized for my 10 and 2 style. I can tell you without hesitation that the 9 and 3 position gives much much better control of the car than any other placement. Having experienced very high speeds, over 250 km/hour, in close proximity of other cars this is without doubt the best way to control a vehicle. Using this seating position and steering techniques apply equally to everyday road use.