
The correct method for adjusting the steering wheel position is: The steering wheel should not obstruct the view of the instrument panel; When holding the steering wheel at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions with arms extended, the arms should be parallel to the ground. The steering wheel, seat, and pedals are the main components affecting driving posture. As a crucial factor, the steering wheel plays an irreplaceable role in safety. Most modern vehicles support vertical adjustment of the steering wheel, meeting the needs of the vast majority of drivers. Steering wheel adjustment is extremely important. The main components affecting driving posture include the steering wheel, seat, and pedals, among which the adjustability of the steering wheel is particularly significant for proper driving posture adjustment.

I've driven a taxi for twenty years, and an improperly adjusted steering wheel is pure misery! Here's the trick: after settling in, your wrists should naturally rest on the top rim of the steering wheel. As for height, make sure it doesn't block your view of the dashboard. After turning off the engine, release the adjustment lever and slowly adjust it up, down, forward, or backward. Before locking it with a click, move your shoulders around a bit—driving shouldn't feel like being strapped to the seat; leave some room to stretch. Keep the steering wheel from getting too close to your legs, or you might bang your knees during sharp turns. Check the locking mechanism every six months for looseness—once, in my old Camry, the steering wheel dropped on a bumpy road, scaring me half to death.

I used to suffer from backaches until I realized it was due to improper steering wheel adjustment. Now, every time I adjust the driver's seat, I follow these steps: First, recline the seatback to a slight 100-degree angle. The ideal position is when I can fully grip the 3 and 9 o'clock positions of the steering wheel with my palms facing upward. For height adjustment, ensure the entire dashboard is visible, especially without the tachometer being blocked. Here's the key point! Keep your elbows bent at a 120-degree angle, as naturally as holding a rice bowl, to prevent arm numbness during long drives. Last week, while driving my friend's new Model 3, I discovered that electric vehicles even allow you to set steering wheel assistance modes on the screen. In sport mode, the steering becomes heavier, requiring corresponding adjustments to the assistance level when changing the height.

When I first got my driver's license, the instructor only told me to adjust the seat, which caused me to wear out three pairs of shoe heels. The steering wheel should be adjusted together with the seat: after your toes can fully press the brake pedal, with your back firmly against the seat, your arms should be straight and your wrists should just rest on the top of the steering wheel. Don’t follow my dad’s habit of setting it to a high position like a bus—if the airbag deploys, it could hit your head directly. Nowadays, new cars come with memory functions. For example, my Mazda6 can store three positions, and it automatically adjusts when my wife and I take turns driving. A friend who modified race cars reminded me that when adjusting the height of a car with paddle shifters, make sure the paddles don’t block your fingers, as it could cause accidents during aggressive driving.


