How to Keep the Steering Wheel Steady When Shifting Gears?
2 Answers
When holding the steering wheel, gently rest your thumbs on the inner side of the wheel and let your other fingers naturally hang down. Avoid inserting any fingers into the steering wheel, and maintain a light grip. You can practice with an actual car or a simulator. Once you are familiar with gear operations, it will take less time, and briefly removing your right hand from the steering wheel won't cause panic.
I've been driving for over 20 years and found that the stability of the steering wheel during gear shifting entirely depends on operational coordination. When shifting gears, the vehicle's power is interrupted, and momentary imbalance can easily cause the steering wheel to deviate. My experience is to firmly hold the steering wheel at the three o'clock position with the left hand, without applying too much force, while the right hand shifts gears quickly, accurately, and decisively. At the same time, the right foot must synchronize the throttle and clutch—lightly tapping the throttle before downshifting to match the revs. In city traffic with frequent gear changes, I opt for early operation to avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration that causes body sway. When starting or downshifting uphill, mismatched revs make the steering wheel wobble more, so practicing repeated upshifts and downshifts in an open area to develop a feel is crucial. Don’t forget to check tire pressure and suspension system for normal operation, as these affect stability. The more you drive manual transmission cars, the more naturally you’ll grasp the rhythm, and the steering wheel will feel as stable as if fixed in place.
