What is the correct way to steer a steering wheel?
3 Answers
The correct way to steer a steering wheel is: Hold the left and right sides of the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Use your right hand to rotate the steering wheel counterclockwise. When your right hand rotates past the center of the dashboard, switch to your left hand to take over from the right. Grip the right half of the steering wheel with your left hand and continue rotating counterclockwise. When your left hand rotates past the center of the dashboard, switch back to your right hand to take over from the left, then repeat this cycle. The steering wheel is a wheel-shaped device used to control the direction of vehicles such as cars, ships, and airplanes. It is generally connected to the steering shaft via splines. Its function is to convert the force applied by the driver to the edge of the steering wheel into torque, which is then transmitted to the steering shaft. When using a larger-diameter steering wheel, the hand force required from the driver can be reduced.
I've been driving for twenty years, and the way you hold the steering wheel really affects safety. The correct posture is to place both hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, like clock hands. When holding the wheel this way, lightly hook your fingers and keep your arms relaxed but in control. In emergencies, such as suddenly avoiding an obstacle, this grip allows me to turn the wheel quickly, preventing skidding or loss of control. I recommend never driving with one hand on the highway, especially when turning—smoothly rotate the wheel instead of jerking it. Additionally, adjusting the steering wheel height based on seat position is crucial; too high or too low increases arm fatigue. I've seen novice drivers almost get into accidents at intersections while holding the wheel with one hand, but after switching to the 9-3 position, their driving became much steadier. On slippery roads during rain or snow, grip technique is even more critical—hold lightly and anticipate turns.
I think the way you hold the steering wheel while driving should be both comfortable and safe. I'm used to placing my hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, just like holding bicycle handlebars. This is much steadier than driving with one hand and reduces the risk of wobbling. In daily city driving, I avoid gripping too tightly, otherwise my arms can easily get sore; when turning, I slowly rotate the steering wheel and avoid sudden braking. A related topic is seat adjustment: I adjust the backrest angle so that my upper body is upright, making it effortless to hold the steering wheel. On the highway, the advantage of keeping both hands in a fixed position is that I can respond to curves in time. I've tried driving this way in rainy and foggy weather and felt much more in control. Remember, driving posture, including foot placement, is also crucial—keep both feet comfortably on the floor to avoid fatigue. In short, develop good habits to make driving easier.
