Where do you guys hold the wheel?

[Oli77]

Blue

[johnrando]

Everyone of those positions depending on mood, traffic, how long in car, etc. Generally 10 n 2, 9 n 3 when driving hard.

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[Rovert]

98% of the time it's 9 and 3. Any other way is a compromise to handle your 3400lbs of joy or yourself should something happen. I don't like being driven to do things on "what if" circumstances but I've had the pleasure (or displeasure) to experience an airbag go off in a full frontal collision that decimated the front of a non BMW product which saved me from harm. After that experience I just can't have my arms in anyway shape or form in the path of an airbag. When properly seated it's very comfortable to be at 9 & 3 as my driving instructors have taught since I learned to drive two decades ago.

In really slow traffic after many cars bunch up behind me creating a good buffer if a semi decides not to see traffic, I'll sometimes use my knee to hold the wheel steady so I can pretend I'm in a new BMW that autonomously steers for me.

[Sockethead]

Everyone of those positions depending on mood, traffic, how long in car, etc. Generally 10 n 2, 9 n 3 when driving hard.

This about sums it up for me too !

[cakM3]

When cruising I usually tend to favor the "red" position but occasionally go to the 7 o'clock position. In twisties, I go to the 9n3.

[az3579]

THIS right here is a perfect explanation, one hand on twelve slightly leaned over to the right is such a comfortable position for tall people/people with long arms



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Funny thing is, you're not reaching as much if you have a proper seating position with your hands at 9 and 3. Less of a reach = less stress = more comfort.

98% of the time it's 9 and 3. Any other way is a compromise to handle your 3400lbs of joy or yourself should something happen. I don't like being driven to do things on "what if" circumstances but I've had the pleasure (or displeasure) to experience an airbag go off in a full frontal collision that decimated the front of a non BMW product which saved me from harm. After that experience I just can't have my arms in anyway shape or form in the path of an airbag. When properly seated it's very comfortable to be at 9 & 3 as my driving instructors have taught since I learned to drive two decades ago.

This, 1000%. I get a VERY uneasy feeling when I see people around me driving with one hand at 12, not necessarily because of the airbag, but because if any accident avoidance maneuver has to be done, they're not gonna make it.

The FIRST thing I do as a Street Survival coach is make sure the student is seated properly and has the correct hand position.


9 and 3, all day long. Best control, best comfort, and safest.

[BMWCurves]

Also, if you're afraid of an accident, don't loop your thumb around the wheel. That can do some serious damage to your thumb joint in an accident.

[BADCLOWN]

I'm between yellow and purple on the plastic trim above the buttons when casually driving/avoiding putting g my hands all over the Coby rewrapped wheel. If not there then my elbow is resting on the door and I'm holding it at blue area

[az3579]

Also, if you're afraid of an accident, don't loop your thumb around the wheel. That can do some serious damage to your thumb joint in an accident.

Out of curiosity, where did you see this information?
Watching the E46 Euro NCAP crash test, it seems as though the thumb wouldn't be affected based on how the airbag is coming out of the center of the wheel.
For reference - skip to 29 seconds. For some reason it's not starting where I told it to start:

[BMWCurves]

No statistics, unfortunately. It's what I've heard from both my driving instructor from over a decade ago as well as my sister who's an ortho surgeon. She has had to repair various hand injuries due to car accidents, most often caused by head-on accidents according to the EMTs/ER docs who have transferred the patients to her service.

Take it as you may. I still loop my thumbs around the steering wheel so...