You steer a steering wheel by applying controlled pressure with your hands to rotate it in the direction you want the vehicle to turn.
While seemingly simple, the technique behind steering can greatly affect control and smoothness, especially for new drivers. Here's a breakdown of steering techniques:
Hand Positioning
While individual preference varies, some common and generally recommended hand positions include:
- 9 and 3: Imagine the steering wheel as a clock face. Placing your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions allows for a good grip and balanced control.
- 8 and 4: Similar to the 9 and 3 position, but slightly lower. This can be more comfortable for some drivers.
Steering Techniques
-
Hand-over-hand: This is a traditional method often used for making sharper turns at lower speeds. To execute it, one hand pushes the wheel up and over, while the other hand releases its grip, moves up to grab the wheel, and continues the rotation. This method allows for quick and significant turns.
-
Push-pull steering (or shuffle steering): This technique involves pushing the steering wheel up with one hand and pulling it down with the other. Your hands generally stay on opposite sides of the wheel and "shuffle" back and forth to maintain control. This is often recommended for general driving as it promotes smooth and controlled movements. This technique helps maintain your elbows down and your thumbs up, promoting smoother turns, according to the provided reference.
Considerations for Smooth Steering
- Elbow Position: Avoid raising your elbows excessively. Keeping your elbows down promotes smoother, more controlled movements.
- Thumb Position: Keeping your thumbs up can also promote smoother control.
- Vision: Look where you want to go. Your hands will naturally follow your gaze.
- Speed: Adjust your steering input based on your speed. Higher speeds require smaller, more subtle adjustments. Oversteering at high speeds can be dangerous.
- Practice: Like any skill, steering requires practice. Find a safe, open area to practice different steering techniques to become more comfortable and confident.
By mastering these techniques and considerations, you can steer a steering wheel effectively, safely, and smoothly.
