Proper steering wheel technique?
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From: Central Massachusetts
Originally Posted by Saki GT,Nov 5 2006, 12:16 PM
9 & 3 - you rest your palms on the spokes, so to speak. When cruising you can use 7 & 5 and should use that for normal driving now - 10 & 2 is dangerous anymore because airbags will break your wrists if you're clutching the wheel at 10 & 2 or really anywhere above 9 & 3.
I learned 10 / 2 o'clock using the crossover technique for turning. I agree that 9 /3 makes more sense on a modern car, and that's pretty much where my hands fall on the Ss wheel. I think in general, relaxed driving my hands tend to more into a 4 / 8 position.
Often, I'm left hand only on the wheel (at 8 or 9 o'clock). My right hand is resting on the elbow pad. Oh, did I mention I love the S2000 gearbox!?
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i dont know if anybody else feels it but when driving the S it feels unstable with my hand at 12. any other car i feel comfortable cruising with one hand at the top of the wheel. but in the S it doesnt feel right. feels more comfortable and stable at 9+3.
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From: Heart of England
Originally Posted by cthree,Nov 5 2006, 06:19 PM
The correct technique is turn the wheel left to go left, turn it right to go right. Beyond that whatever works
right I've got that 
Now can you tell me how to "drive stick"
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From: Knoxville, TN
Originally Posted by jeggy,Nov 5 2006, 11:41 AM
i dont know if anybody else feels it but when driving the S it feels unstable with my hand at 12. any other car i feel comfortable cruising with one hand at the top of the wheel.
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From: Stockbridge, Georgia
Originally Posted by mikey k,Nov 5 2006, 05:43 AM
I use the fixed hands technique taught to me by an ex F1 driver. Works really well.
Two hand on @ 9 and 3, thumbs in steering wheel above the spars, the trick is to ALWAYS keep the hands in this position on the steering wheel however much lock you have on.
Turning left - push left with right hand. As the arms start to cross take left hand off pull under the right arm and then put it over right arm back in the the same postion on the steering wheel. Now pull with you left hand to add more lock. Don't worry about crossing your arms at full lock.
Straightening up is the reverse, as is turning right!
Two good thing about this!
1) You always know what angle the wheels are at and how much turning you need to do to get dead center again. (unlike shuffling)
2) Two movements of the arms gets you from lock to lock in the S so it is MUCH quicker!
Two hand on @ 9 and 3, thumbs in steering wheel above the spars, the trick is to ALWAYS keep the hands in this position on the steering wheel however much lock you have on.
Turning left - push left with right hand. As the arms start to cross take left hand off pull under the right arm and then put it over right arm back in the the same postion on the steering wheel. Now pull with you left hand to add more lock. Don't worry about crossing your arms at full lock.
Straightening up is the reverse, as is turning right!
Two good thing about this!
1) You always know what angle the wheels are at and how much turning you need to do to get dead center again. (unlike shuffling)
2) Two movements of the arms gets you from lock to lock in the S so it is MUCH quicker!
I have found that if I have my fingers below the spokes, I am less inclined to reposition my hands. That puts my thumbs on or just over the top of the spokes.
He has also been teaching me to push up on the wheel rather than pull down. That helps keep your shoulders planted against the seat back, especially if you don't use a five point harness. Shoulders firmly against the seatback helps you feel the motion of the car.
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From: So Cal USA
10 and 2 for the street and 9 and 3 for the track...
Many track cars have faster steering ratios, so by holding the wheel at the the 9 and 3 you can go from lock to lock with only some (or none)arm cross, on the street the ratios are slower and 10 and 2 with "the shuffle" is the preferred technique. Remember, also, that you should sit so that you can easily rest your wrists on top of the wheel for street driving, maybe a bit closer for the track.
Why is arm crossing bad??? Because if you suddenly need to input more steering you can't and if you need counter steer your arms and hands will be in the wrong positions UH-OH!!!
Many track cars have faster steering ratios, so by holding the wheel at the the 9 and 3 you can go from lock to lock with only some (or none)arm cross, on the street the ratios are slower and 10 and 2 with "the shuffle" is the preferred technique. Remember, also, that you should sit so that you can easily rest your wrists on top of the wheel for street driving, maybe a bit closer for the track.
Why is arm crossing bad??? Because if you suddenly need to input more steering you can't and if you need counter steer your arms and hands will be in the wrong positions UH-OH!!!