There are two methods of steering a motor vehicle that demonstrate correct steering wheel technique. These are the pull-push steering method and the hand-over-hand method. Your Driving Instructor should assist in deciding which method is most suitable for you.
There are two correct hand positions on a steering wheel: "9 and 3" and "8 and 4." These methods refer to visualizing the steering wheel as the face of a clock, and positioning the left hand at the 9 or 8 and the right hand at the 3 or 4 o'clock position.
There are three main types of steering movements: hand-over-hand, hand-to-hand, and one-hand steering.
There are four common manual steering gears in use. The worm and sector, worm and roller, recirculating ball steering and the rack and pinion. In the worm and sector style the worm is connected at the end of the steering shaft. The sector is mounted on a sector shaft.
Hand position on steering wheel
You probably learned to keep your hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends drivers put their hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions.
Hand-To-Hand Steering
NHTSA recommends the driver use the area of the steering wheel area between “11 and 8 o'clock” with their left and the “1 and 8 o'clock” area with their right, regardless of which way they're turning. Using the hand-to-hand or push/pull steering method helps prevent injuries.
Both hands should be placed outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides. Your grip should be firm, yet gentle. Use your fingers instead of the palms of your hands and keep your thumbs up along the face of the steering wheel. Never turn the wheel while gripping it from the inside of its rim.
There are broadly two types of steering system: Rack and Pinion Steering System. Recirculating Ball Steering System.
Most modern cars use a “rack-and-pinion” steering system. Rack mounting bushings are attached to the steering wheel, and move side-to-side to absorb impacts from the suspension.
Lean Back (A Little) The angle of your seat back should be a little greater than a perpendicular 90 degrees. At 100 to 110 degrees, the seat will put the least pressure on your back. Leaning too far back forces you to push your head and neck forward, which can cause neck and shoulder pain and tingling in the fingers.
In a study, published in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Sensors journal, IIT Madras scientists have concluded that during long-distance drives, holding the steering wheel in the 8 o'clock-4 o'clock position causes the least risk of muscle fatigue and other injuries to drivers.
You must keep both hands on the wheel at all times unless changing gears or indicating. It doesn't matter whether you're driving an automatic or a manual – the law is the same across Australia. At all times, keep your hands at the 9 and 3 position.
Proper placement of your hands on the steering wheel is essential to driving your vehicle safely. Remember to place your hands in the nine and three position at all times while driving. Never drive with only one hand, your fingertips, or, even worse, with your knees.
“Kindly exercise the five C's – care, caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy when using the roadways.
In the past, some have called the topics in this lesson Aggression, Alcohol, Accidents and Awareness.
Keep your hands at opposite sides of the steering wheel. Imagine that the steering wheel is a clock. The most effective positions for your hands are at 8 and 4 o'clock.
Early Childhood Development Practitioner Course.
Another popular driving myth is that driving examiners will penalise you for placing your hands in the 'wrong' position on the steering wheel. In actual fact, you are allowed to hold the wheel however you want, with the caveat we're all used to by now: so long as you can maintain control of the car.