Why do people drive with both hands on the steering wheel?

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
Well in this case boy you think WRONG!

Trust me when I say 2 hands is way faster.. I drive a manual, and its almost imposible to make a turn while shifting gears - i know i have had to do it in an emergency. (needless to say doing that is not safe - a sudden loss / gain in traction can be really bad if the conditions arent right).

My one handed crank method allows me to shift easily while steering. Thats the #1 reason I started doing it.

 

[Bulk Beef]

What are you doing with the other hand, Dari?

 

[Mandos]

I drive with my left hand mainly, right hand rests on the shifter that is on the floor (auto :-( )

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Ynog
Oh and if you think one hand is easier, find a car with no power steering. That should change your mind.

As soon as a I build that time machine to go back to 1930 when those cars existed, I'll let you know.

 

[Mandos]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: Dari
I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel.

are you a thug?

LMFAO

 

[StageLeft]

There must be something wrong with one of your arms. I see what you're saying, but in practical terms all race car drivers use both hands at both times unless they're changing gears.

 

[Red Dawn]

For the vast majority of people two hands gives them better control.

 

[Mandos]

I need to add something to this.

I drive with my one hand at like... 7-8, NOT 12. I think 12 looks ridiculously stupid.

I cant see how stupid fvcks drive, with their seat LAYING DOWN, and using the ONE HAND THEY ARE STEERING WITH to hold themselves up to see over the steering wheel.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
For the vast majority of people two hands gives them better control.

Yes, assuming they are seated correctly

This is at the expense of the turning radius that you can achieve without having to let go, but it is usually enough, and I've seen at elast one new car (BMW) that has variable turning ratios that increase or decrease depending onthe severity of the turn or the current speed.

 

[Beattie]

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

Are you really THAT dumb that you cant coordinate the motion of your hands subconsiously?

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy


from a guy who has driven quite a bit.. in rather tight situations.. let me tell you nothing is better than 3/9. When you want fast reflexes.. and solid control of a turn, the positions of 3/9 are the best.

12 o clock is for gangsta.... it is for the loser who believes in Bling. If you seriously think you can outhandle me with one hand.. your nuts..

When it comes to handle an understeer even an over steer if you happen to do that on a FWD car, then you wont have enough control with one hand on teh wheel. The only time one hand on the wheel works, is if your going in a straight line..

Even so I dont put it at 12, I put it at 3/9.. However the forces required to make a turn with one hand is a lot more with one hand. If I put it at 12 it would be a bit lesser, but it still isnt an acurate turn nor is it a turn with ease..

I suggest you drive with 2 hands.. cause your going to crash one day with your hand on the top of the wheel.. and if you got an airbag car, careful, it can deploy and break your hand if its in the 12oclock position.

As someone whos done quite a bit of driving myself Let me tell you your full of it. In todays cars you can respond just as quickly due to the aid of power steering. The biggest factor in you fast you turn that wheel isnt how many hands you use but how many turns to lock your rack and pinion have. I ALWAYS drive with 1 hand on the wheel. Using 2 hands with power steering for most people means a gross overcorrection and a wreck. Also, its harder to initiate a turn to lock situation with 2 hands then 1, as with one you can instantly slide into a open palm and spin the wheel around whereas with 2 hands you need to remove 1 hand, or you can go about 90 degrtees MAX before your arms are crossed and you cant turn it anymore.

And for the race car driver comment, thats easy. They dont have power steering!! And they have about 1 turn to lock!! So obviously with no power steering and quick response you want 2 hands for better control. Because you may very well miss your turn if you use 1 hand due to it being much harder to turn a car without power steering then with.

Ultimately its user preference. Some people drive better with 1 hand (Me) and some people drive better with 2 hands. Do whatever you are most comfortable with.

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: Mandos
I need to add something to this.

I drive with my one hand at like... 7-8, NOT 12. I think 12 looks ridiculously stupid.

I cant see how stupid fvcks drive, with their seat LAYING DOWN, and using the ONE HAND THEY ARE STEERING WITH to hold themselves up to see over the steering wheel.

One hand at 12 ain't that bad. I drive like that at times (left or right hand) and I am far from a "gangsta." Although I see what you're saying about the laying down thing, I've seen kids do that, haha!

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Also, its harder to initiate a turn to lock situation with 2 hands then 1, as with one you can instantly slide into a open palm and spin the wheel around whereas with 2 hands you need to remove 1 hand, or you can go about 90 degrtees MAX before your arms are crossed and you cant turn it anymore.

Don't they teach you the hand-over-hand technique in KS? You fail your test in NJ if you don't know how to do it.

BTW, are you a professional driver?

Regardless, I stand by my original claim that someone who lacks the coordination to operate both hands at the same time probably shouldn't be driving.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

Tell that to Michael Shumacher.

 

[StageLeft]

Using 2 hands with power steering for most people means a gross overcorrection and a wreck.

I'd argue the opposite. I'm able to make more minute adjustments with two hands instead of one. Sure one hand is strong enough to turn the wheel, but it doesn't mean that it can do it as well, especially considering your leverage and force against the steering wheel can change so much as it turns. There are race cars with power steering and people still use both hands

--

I drive with my left at 12 o clock much of the time. It's the most comfortable position because I can lean my arm's weight on the steering wheel, whereas if I am at 10 oclock I can't rest the weight on it.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

As someone whos done quite a bit of driving myself Let me tell you your full of it. In todays cars you can respond just as quickly due to the aid of power steering. The biggest factor in you fast you turn that wheel isnt how many hands you use but how many turns to lock your rack and pinion have. I ALWAYS drive with 1 hand on the wheel. Using 2 hands with power steering for most people means a gross overcorrection and a wreck. Also, its harder to initiate a turn to lock situation with 2 hands then 1, as with one you can instantly slide into a open palm and spin the wheel around whereas with 2 hands you need to remove 1 hand, or you can go about 90 degrtees MAX before your arms are crossed and you cant turn it anymore.

And for the race car driver comment, thats easy. They dont have power steering!! And they have about 1 turn to lock!! So obviously with no power steering and quick response you want 2 hands for better control. Because you may very well miss your turn if you use 1 hand due to it being much harder to turn a car without power steering then with.

Ultimately its user preference. Some people drive better with 1 hand (Me) and some people drive better with 2 hands. Do whatever you are most comfortable with.

Exactly. Some people prefer two hands, and I have no problem with that. But since suicide knobs are illegal, I just press my palm hard on the wheel and crank. If need be, I can turn the wheel really fast using this method. I KNOW I couldn't do it as fast with two hands.

 

[StageLeft]

Exactly. Some people prefer two hands, and I have no problem with that. But since suicide knobs are illegal, I just press my palm hard on the wheel and crank. If need be, I can turn the wheel really fast using this method. I KNOW I couldn't do it as fast with two hands.

True, but unless you're parking your car how often do you need to use the entire range of motion of your turning wheels?

I think that if you've got only one arm you can buy a suicide knob!

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Jzero
Don't they teach you the hand-over-hand technique in KS? You fail your test in NJ if you don't know how to do it.

They teach you lots of stupid things in drivers ed. Like to slow down for yellow lights, and to always go under the speed limit. You do them for the test, then you go out and learn how to really drive.

Regardless, I stand by my original claim that someone who lacks the coordination to operate both hands at the same time probably shouldn't be driving.

Agreed.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I think that if you've got only one arm you can buy a suicide knob!

I knew a dude who had muscular dystrophy and his license had a classification on it that allowed him to use one legally.

 

[cronos]

Originally posted by: oniq
I drive with my thumb

yeah, in the 6 o'clock position.

only in a long highway drive though. with cruise control on.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Exactly. Some people prefer two hands, and I have no problem with that. But since suicide knobs are illegal, I just press my palm hard on the wheel and crank. If need be, I can turn the wheel really fast using this method. I KNOW I couldn't do it as fast with two hands.

True, but unless you're parking your car how often do you need to use the entire range of motion of your turning wheels?

Not often. But I personally feel I have better control with the crank, and it frees up my right hand to shift while turning.

I think that if you've got only one arm you can buy a suicide knob!

Unfortunately, I was born with two arms. I think you can buy them for tractors if you want, you just aren't suppose to put them on cars.

 

[andrewjm]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: Dari
I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel.

are you a thug?

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Exactly. Some people prefer two hands, and I have no problem with that. But since suicide knobs are illegal, I just press my palm hard on the wheel and crank. If need be, I can turn the wheel really fast using this method. I KNOW I couldn't do it as fast with two hands.

True, but unless you're parking your car how often do you need to use the entire range of motion of your turning wheels?

I think that if you've got only one arm you can buy a suicide knob!

What's a suicide knob?

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Exactly. Some people prefer two hands, and I have no problem with that. But since suicide knobs are illegal, I just press my palm hard on the wheel and crank. If need be, I can turn the wheel really fast using this method. I KNOW I couldn't do it as fast with two hands.

True, but unless you're parking your car how often do you need to use the entire range of motion of your turning wheels?

I think that if you've got only one arm you can buy a suicide knob!

What's a suicide knob?

Its basically a handle that mounts on the steering wheel, turning the wheel into a crank. It makes it easy to steer with one arm. I think they call them suicide knobs because if your hand slips off them while steering...

 

[farmercal]

I usually just drive with both hands resting on the pad in the middle of the steering wheel (becausing I am normally cruising down the highway). When in heavy traffic I use two hands. That just feels more confortable to me. I can't imagine anyone steering out of a bad situation with only one hand. I know a lot of you are going to say you can do anything with that one hand but I bet in a emergency you use that other hand.