NHTSA now recommends the technique known as "9 and 3". Place your left hand on the left portion of the steering wheel in a location approximate to where the nine would be if the wheel was a clock. Your right hand should be placed on the right portion of the wheel where the three would be located.
Hand position on steering wheel
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends drivers put their hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. One reason for the change is to potentially keep hands out of the way if the airbag deploys. Also, don't cross over.
For starters, 8 and 4 further reduces your risk of injury if the airbag should deploy because your hands will just be pushed into your lap instead of flying upwards or towards your face. 8 and 4 will also decrease your likelihood of swerving should an obstacle surprise you suddenly.
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.
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.
- Sit normally in your car with your hands at 9 & 3 o'clock. - Without turning the steering wheel, reach one hand to the top of the steering wheel. The steering wheel should be under your wrist when both of your shoulders are still comfortably touching the back of the seat.
Typical automotive steering ratios range from about 24:1 with manual steering to about 14:1 with power steering assist. The higher the steering ratio, the easier it is to turn the wheel and steer the vehicle. The lower the ratio is, the more effort is needed at the steering wheel.
The steering wheel: ideally, the steering wheel should be positioned so that its centre is at the same height as your neck. We recommend you flex your arms and place both hands on the steering wheel in a quarter-to-three position. Your elbows should be at 90 degrees.
While there is no one correct hand position or way to steer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided some basic guidelines. If you think of the steering wheel as the face of a clock, place your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, or slightly lower at 8 and 4 o'clock.
For example, 12 o'clock means directly ahead, 3 o'clock means directly to the right, 6 o'clock means directly behind, and 9 o'clock means directly to the left. The clock system is not confined to transportation.
At 3:00, the hands of the clock form a right angle of 90 degrees.
DESIGNED TO OFFER MORE MANEUVERABILITY
Available Four-Wheel Steer is designed to offer greater vehicle maneuverability while parking at low speeds and on tight off-road trails. The system increases low-speed agility and allows the driver to achieve a tighter turn circle.
It is best not to hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position unless you're reversing to the left or right and you have to turn in your seat to see where you're going.
Quadrasteer is the name of a four wheel steering system developed by Delphi Automotive while under the ownership of General Motors for use in automobiles.
The most common reasons for free play in the steering are looseness in the steering gear itself or looseness in one or more of the steering linkage sockets. Steering box or rack and pinion that is connected to the steering wheel by the steering column.
On straight roads, your hands should settle into an effective position on the steering wheel - 10 to 2 or quarter to 3, only tightening your grip when cornering or braking.
To pass the Q-SAFE: Practical Driving Test and get a provisional P1 licence (Red Ps) you should steer with both hands on the steering wheel (except when using other controls), using either the 'hand-over-hand' or 'pull-push' method with your hands on the outside of the steering wheel.
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.