How To Hold The Steering Wheel When Driving

The steering wheel is a critical piece of the driving experience. Depending on where you live, how old you are, and how serious you are about driving, you may or may not be able to get behind the wheel of a car or truck without first taking a moment to position the steering wheel in relation to your body. In some places, it’s a given that you can only get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you have your legs fully extended. In others, it’s a crime to even question the wisdom of having a steering wheel. The truth is, there are lots of factors that go into whether or not you can get behind the wheel of a car or a truck without sitting down. But regardless of your situation, there are a few basic rules that can keep you safe and help you have the most enjoyable driving experience possible. Before getting into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick primer on how to hold the steering wheel when driving a car or a truck.

How To Hold The Steering Wheel

• There are two basic ways to hold a steering wheel: with your hands on the wheel, or with your hands off of the wheel.
• The most common way to hold a steering wheel is to have your hands on the top of the steering column, where it meets the dash. Your thumbs should be resting right below where the turn signal stalks meet up with the dash, and your forearms should be resting above them.
• Some drivers like to keep their thumbs on the bottom of the steering column, under their forearms, and some drivers like to keep their thumbs on top of the steering column near where they would rest a hand while holding onto something else while driving like a gear shift button.
• If you’re holding onto something else while driving like a gear shift button or armrest when you’re not using them as a steering wheel holder, make sure you place that item between your elbow and wrist so that it doesn’t interfere with how you hold your arms when you’re driving.
• Another thing to keep in mind is that the steering wheel should be resting on your forearm, not your elbow. When you’re driving, your arm should be straight and relaxed so that it doesn’t interfere with how the steering wheel turns.
• If you’re wearing a seatbelt, you should also make sure that it’s positioned correctly so that it doesn’t interfere with how you hold the steering wheel and how your arms move when driving.
• If you want to use a phone while driving, make sure that whatever device is attached to the steering wheel is positioned where it won’t get in the way of how you hold your arms when driving or in any other position while behind the wheel.

Get A Proper Gripping Surface

1. Make sure the steering wheel is turned so that it’s resting on your forearm, not your elbow.
2. Make sure that the steering wheel is sitting upright and not tilted to one side or another when you’re driving.
3. If you’re wearing a seatbelt, make sure that it’s positioned correctly so that it doesn’t interfere with how you hold the steering wheel and how your arms move when driving or in any other position while behind the wheel.
4. If you’re using a phone while driving, make sure that whatever device is attached to the steering wheel is positioned where it won’t get in the way of how you hold your arms when driving or in any other position while behind the wheel.
5. Make sure your seatbelt is properly fastened before starting up your car and every time you get out of it once you are safely inside (and don’t forget to take note of how long it’s been since your last inspection).
6. Make sure you are wearing a seatbelt before driving. If you don’t want to wear one, then make sure that it’s positioned correctly so that it doesn’t interfere with how you hold the steering wheel and how your arms move when driving or in any other position while behind the wheel.
7. Finally, if you’re using a phone while driving, make sure that whatever device is attached to the steering wheel is positioned where it won’t get in the way of how you hold your arms when driving or in any other position while behind the wheel.

Use The Right-Sized Wheel For Your Body

• The steering wheel is designed to fit the hand of a person who is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds, or about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. If you are not this height or this weight, you should consider getting a smaller steering wheel.
• The steering wheel should be turned towards the center of your body in all directions of travel.
• The distance between your arm and your body should be about equal to the width of the steering column (the space between where the wheels are attached to the car) when you’re in the driving position with your arms at their maximum length.
• Your elbow should be placed on top of your forearm as you hold onto the steering wheel, with your forearm resting on top of the hood (the part that covers up where all of the wheels go). This puts your forearms parallel to one another so that they can move independently from each other while driving.
• Your wrist should be placed on top of your forearm as you hold onto the steering wheel, with your forearm resting on top of the hood (the part that covers up where all of the wheels go). This puts your forearms parallel to one another so that they can move independently from each other while driving.
• The back of your hand should be resting on top of the hood (the part that covers up where all of the wheels go) when you’re in the driving position with your arms at their maximum length.
• Your fingers should be lightly touching the steering wheel at all times while you’re in the driving position with your arms at their maximum length.
• If you want to use a phone while driving, make sure that whatever device is attached to the steering wheel is positioned so it doesn’t get in the way of how you hold your arms when driving or in any other position while behind the wheel.

Avoid Driving If You’re Tired

1. If you’re tired, you may want to consider taking the day off from driving.
2. If you’re tired, your reaction time may be slower and you may be more likely to make mistakes when driving.
3. If you’re tired, it’s possible that your judgment will be impaired and that you won’t pay as much attention to your surroundings as a driver should.
4. If you’re tired, it could be harder for your nervous system to adjust to the same set of physical reactions that occur when a person is awake and alert while driving.
5. If you’re tired, it could be hard for your mind to keep up with all of the tasks required by being in a car while driving: monitoring traffic conditions, keeping an eye on the road ahead and on other drivers, adjusting the car’s speed and direction according to road conditions or other drivers‘ reactions, anticipating what might happen next with other cars and the environment, and making sure that you’re also paying attention to your own reactions and actions.
6. If you’re tired, it could be harder for your body to maintain the same posture while driving that it does when you’re awake and alert.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

• If you’re afraid to ask for help, you may be more likely to drive erratically or become distracted when someone else is driving, especially if the other driver is a friend or relative.
• If you’re afraid to ask for help, it could be harder for you to remember what to do when you’re in a car and someone else is driving.
• If you’re afraid to ask for help, it could be harder for your nervous system to adjust and react properly when someone else is driving.
• If you’re afraid to ask for help, it could be harder for your body’s muscles and joints and the parts of your brain that control them to adjust and react properly when someone else is driving.
• If you’re afraid to ask for help, it could be harder for your mind and nervous system to adjust and react properly when someone else is driving.

Conclusion

In order to keep your driving experience safe and comfortable, it’s important to have a proper griping surface, use the correct size wheel for your body, curve the wheel to your liking and be mindful of your tiredness. All of these factors will affect your ability to drive safely and efficiently. As long as you follow these simple tips, you’ll be able to keep driving for a long time.