Steering Wheel Configuration

[KevinRS]

I guess I'll have to try 8 and 4, though most steering wheels seem to have grip positions at 10 and 2. There shouldn't be too much difference with airbag deployment, but if you have thumbs hooked, you may lose the thumbs.

 

[Luxrage]

The Slate wheel looks a fair amount like the Rivian wheel, I think:

I was just thinking the spoke layout is a lot like my Fit's, just without the bottom taper:

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I guess I'll have to try 8 and 4, though most steering wheels seem to have grip positions at 10 and 2. There shouldn't be too much difference with airbag deployment, but if you have thumbs hooked, you may lose the thumbs.

This is interesting. I tried looking up injuries associated with steering wheel airbag deployment and couldn't find any reference to hand or thumb injuries. There were notes on face and chest injuries, mostly due to drivers being too close to the steering wheel, but nothing about hands or thumbs. Maybe I searched wrong?? 🤷🏼‍♂️


Back in the day instead of taking a vacation to some beach somewhere (which didn't really appeal to me) I signed up for a SCCA driver's school. That's where I was instructed to hook my thumbs on the steering wheel spokes for positive control of the vehicle in a variety of situations both on and off the track. 10 & 2 isn't helpful in an accident because the hands have a tendency to move/slide to the top of the steering wheel. Hooking thumbs gives best control (especially when wearing gloves) with the approach of pulling the steering wheel down while maneuvering rather than pushing it up. There was probably more to it that I've since forgotten.
I've adopted this technique for all my driving and find benefits beyond maintaining control of the vehicle. But there was an adjustment period where I had to break my old bad habits. Now I can maintain this steering wheel technique for longer periods of time and find I don't need an armrest on either the door or center console. It's been especially helpful when driving my CJ-7 with no such creature comforts.

But that's just me. Everybody has to find what works best for themselves.

Take the Tesla butterfly steering wheel for example. Just how in the world does Tesla expect us drivers to be able to eat a footlong Subway sub at highway speeds when we cannot steer with our knees? Maybe that's why they had to develop Autopilot & Full Self Driving? 🤔

 

[cadblu]

Take the Tesla butterfly steering wheel for example. Just how in the world does Tesla expect us drivers to be able to eat a footlong Subway sub at highway speeds when we cannot steer with our knees? Maybe that's why they had to develop Autopilot & Full Self Driving? 🤔

I was a big fan of the "yoke" steering wheel as it looked futuristic and created a 'gaming' experience for everyday driving. But as many have pointed out, it would later become a deterrent when trying to sell or trade-in. Early on, it was available as a no-cost option on the Model S, then later it became a $1k option. A conventional round steering wheel with a flat-bottom makes more sense in mostly all driving situations.

 

[Shrink36s]

IIRC 9 & 3 is the airbag recommendation keeping your hands the furthest apart and prevented from being mashed and mangled when the bad go off.

 

[4hotshoes]

This is my favorite steering wheel configuration, with a single hand-resting spot at 6 during easy driving. It is low fatigue. When in dense traffic or bad weather, my hands go to 10 and 2 with those comfortable palm flares on the inside. Then there are the less-used alternatives at 8 and 4. (My steering locked, thus the background angle).

 

[sodamo]

This is my favorite steering wheel configuration, with a single hand-resting spot at 6 during easy driving. It is low fatigue. When in dense traffic or bad weather, my hands go to 10 and 2 with those comfortable palm flares on the inside. Then there are the less-used alternatives at 8 and 4. (My steering locked, thus the background angle).

Yes, similiar to my Tundra, the Subbie is the 3 spoke type but honestly not a problem going back an forth.

 

[AKrietzer]

My 2012 Tundra has the 4 spoke.

 

[Luxrage]

This is my favorite steering wheel configuration, with a single hand-resting spot at 6 during easy driving. It is low fatigue. When in dense traffic or bad weather, my hands go to 10 and 2 with those comfortable palm flares on the inside. Then there are the less-used alternatives at 8 and 4. (My steering locked, thus the background angle).

My Element has a similar gap in the middle and I find myself holding it by the bottom right spoke with my hands in a sort of C shape around it for keeping it straight during long drives. I think the Slate one will work out.

I