Whenever I watch a tv programme that features a camera inside the car, Deals on Wheels, etc, 90% of the drivers involved seem to spend most of their time with their left hand resting on the gear lever. Apart from the loss of steering control should an emergency arise, it is just plain uncomfortable.
I've never understood why people do this, but anytime I give tuition to an experienced driver for whatever reason, it will invariably be the first fault I pick up on. The second will often be steering from the inside of the wheelrim, which is uncomfortable and limits the range of turn considerably. Let alone what will happen to their arm should the airbag go off.
Any Backroomers practise either of the above, and why?
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When driving on a twisty mountain road in an underpowered car it's often preferable to have one hand at the centre top of the steering wheel and the other permanently on the gearlever. You actually have more control rather than less control that way.
HJ
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I seem to remember reading in a rover 214 handbook about 10 years ago that resting a hand on the gear lever for extended periods can wear out the transmission.
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I guess it could wear the synchromesh.
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"I seem to remember reading in a rover 214 handbook about 10 years ago that resting a hand on the gear lever for extended periods can wear out the transmission."
Good to see someone at Rover has a sense of humour............
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I've no experience of twisty mountain roads, but all the cases I've seen have been strictly urban, with nothing higher than a hump back bridge.
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"When driving on a twisty mountain road in an underpowered car it's often preferable to have one hand at the centre top of the steering wheel and the other permanently on the gearlever. You actually have more control rather than less control that way."
Remember the works driver who piloted an Imp through the forests with his right hand only? Who was that?
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I do like driving the Citroen Picasso with the armrest down, one arm on the windowsill and the other hand ready for the gearlever, but I do have long arms and could have my elbow on the parcel shelf and still reach the wheel. (slight exageration).
Hands always grip wheel in correct location.
Ben
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Ben....have you ever tried to avoid a sudden hazard, whist driving in monkey mode?
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Yes, must admit I do drive with one hand on the wheel most of the time but I am trying to force myself to use both at higher speeds.
I guess a high-speed blowout could catch you unawares if you only had one hand on the wheel . . .
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That was one of the main reasons given to me by a Police Traffic officer who gave me a lesson. By having one hand on the wheel if you have a blow out you are almost guaranteed to die...
I have a mate who always drives with one hand even at 70+, the car gets dragged into the sides of lorries by the slipstream etc, he quickly pulls the other hand up, veers the car back into a straight line and then promptly puts his hand back down again and continues with one hand! The same happens when the car hits a pothole, road camber etc. :(
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That was one of the main reasons given to me by a Police Traffic officer who gave me a lesson. By having one hand on the wheel if you have a blow out you are almost guaranteed to die...
There are plenty or one armed drivers and motorcyclists about.
One biker did his test the same week as me. He'd lost his arm illegally riding an RD350 fell off and had his arm ripped off by the central reservation.
Despite the above he was a nice guy.
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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That was one of the main reasons given to me by a Police Traffic officer who gave me a lesson. By having one hand on the wheel if you have a blow out you are almost guaranteed to die...
There are plenty or one armed drivers and motorcyclists about.
One biker did his test the same week as me. He'd lost his arm illegally riding an RD350 fell off and had his arm ripped off by the central reservation.
Despite the above he was a nice guy.
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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Guilty.
I have driven an auto for 4 yrs now, and still drive with my left hand [1] on the lever. Still it makes it handy for the "Sport" button on top the lever. Never understood why manufacturers don't put the "S" button on the end of one of the steering wheel control stalks though. However, don't get me wrong, I use the "S" button for slowing down the vehicle to save fuel and the continual need for braking more than actually using it to make the gearbox more sporty.
[1] Only because the right one won't reach :o)
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For motorways, better to brace one hand between your leg or knee and the wheel. That way you hold it a lot more firmly than in the 10 to 2 position and the wheel will not be turned out of your control in the event of a blowout.
HJ
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I was taught two positions for holding the steering wheel
(1) The ten to two
(2) The twenty to four.
Both give comfort and max control, the later position more suitable to the portly gent.
Middle age spread HJ?
DVD
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Ferrying our 'aging' WO to his office at the section, I was going round the peri(miter) track, hands lightly resting at the bottom of the wheel of a SWB Landrover.
He said in his lovley irish brogue, "Corporal, were you not taught to drive with your hands at the 10 past 2 position...?"
So I moved them there...
!!!Now I know why I was never promoted!!!
John R
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JR
You've still not joined the RAFPA ?
DVD
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DVD,
Errr, I'm waiting to get a full 12 months for my subscription...
John R
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Whenever I watch a tv programme that features a camera inside the car, Deals on Wheels, etc, 90% of the drivers involved seem to spend most of their time with their left hand resting on the gear lever.
So what do they scratch their crotch with?
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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The Focus has 'handles' on the steering wheel at 10 to 2, which makes it difficult to hold the wheel any other way.
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"90% of the drivers involved seem to spend most of their time with their left hand resting on the gear lever"
Not to mention the fact that they frequently turn to address the camera instead of, perhaps, watching the road............
Never fails to amaze me just how many drivers can't hold a conversation without turning to look at their companion. Scary stuff!!
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