My hand hurts, how do you hold the wheel? suggestion pics - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

justinperkins · #16 03-08-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

What kind of gear ratio do you have in that thing to be turning those rpm's at that speed?

*scrolls up to look at pics again*

taking pics of the floor while driving at 70 per, tsk tsk. fix that tach too.

vstech · #17 03-08-2007, 08:49 AM

HA, never would have thought of that one!
lemme see, 72is mph, 0 rpm.... what's that work out to be? assuming stock 14" rims and tires... whoah!

where did I get a shot of the mess on my floor?

oh, the cool thing about my camera is I don't have to look at the camera to frame the shot! the samsung digital I got has a red light that shines at the subject of the photo! so I took all those shots without taking my eyes off the road! my peripheral vision could see the red light and I just had to glance at the screen to be sure I had the wheel in the frame.
cool no? it's a digimax u-ca5 they go for around 60.00 on ebay...
John

Shawn D. · #18 03-08-2007, 08:54 AM

I said "random" 'cause you didn't offer an option for the way I do it.

I have my hands roughly at 9 and 3, with the thumbs barely over the top spokes, and do not wrap my fingers around as you show in some pictures. This position gives the best overall ability to maneuver. Look at how folks who do a lot of track driving place their hands.

One thing I NEVER do is place my hand with the palm facing me and gripping the upper half of the wheel. This is the worst way to drive for maneuvering and will get your arm and shoulder broken in a wreck (and if you have an airbag, your broken arm will break your face). I tell folks about this all the time and they SWEAR that they don't do it, but then I'll be a passenger and say "Do not move -- now take a look at your hand position. Where is it? Didn't you say you never did that?" Then they'll swear to never do it again, but will do it dozens of times again in the same drive! Take a look at yourself and other drivers (especially women). About half of the drivers out there do this, especially when turning at lights or into or out of parking lots. DO NOT DO THAT!

retx · #19 03-08-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinn8it

Remember these???
http://www.thehotrodgirl.com/8basukn.html

yep, i do. are those even legal anymore. i know they arent back home.

i broke my back in a car accident when i was 21. it still hurts today, and even with the amazing "lumbar support" in my worn out drivers seat, ha, i have to move body positions all the time, and so my hands are never really comfortable. so im random. but most of the time they are right hand at about 2-3 and left hand in my lap.

SwampYankee · #20 03-08-2007, 09:13 AM

Definitely a random process for me but "left hand with elbow resting" is probably the most used out of all of them.

If I'm really chillin', seat nearly fully reclined with my foot.

Magoo · #21 03-08-2007, 09:17 AM

Usually like photo one, but I tend to reposition occasionally because my hand/wrist starts to ache too. I think that's the key, change positions occasionally/frequently.

vstech · #22 03-08-2007, 09:21 AM

tch tch tch... my old drivers ed teacher would be ashamed at all of you!
NO BODY claims 10 and 2...
(me either...)
anyway, the joints in my thumb on the right hand make it difficult to hold the wheel with the thumb, so I gotta constantly swap positions, haven't found a good position yet, but I mostly use the left hand with elbow resting. usually with my right arm sitting on the chair back like I got a date over there getting a shoulder massage... sometimes I just rest the right elbow on the armrest with it in the up position, it drives my daughter nutty that I don't like the armrest down... but my shoulders don't like to bend down that far.
now if I could just find the time to fix the springs in the seat...
John

patbob · #23 03-08-2007, 12:33 PM

On long car trips, in every car I've owned, I've always balanced one arm on top of the steering wheel with the other on the armrest bracing it from sudden turning. I can only get away with that when I don't expect to have to be doing more than a leisurely, well-considered lane change, and when the car is in good condition (which the 300d isn't right now). These conditions are pretty much never the case anymore.

The rest of the time I've taken to the standard 10&2 position because there are enough incompetent, distracted drivers out there that maximum steering nimbleness is now required to stay out of accidents. That's not terribly restful because I'm tall, but at least the weight of each arm can balance, so it's not too bad.

Life would be sooo much easier if I could just drive for the other drivers on the road around me as well

DeliveryValve · #24 03-08-2007, 12:43 PM

I usually start off at the 10-2 position. But I have carpal tunnel and then I have my hands at what ever position feels comfortable on that day.

300SD81 · #25 03-08-2007, 03:37 PM

The main problem I have when driving, isn't my hands/arms getting tired, but my hands getting sweaty, I need a cloth wheel cover..

softconsult · #26 03-08-2007, 04:21 PM

I've done a lot of driving in the last 10 years. I would say that if it's interstate driving and the car is perfectly set up, a Mercedes should almost drives itself. I have very light grip with left or right arm on armrest and wheel lightly squeezed between thumb and forefinger. Of course I change position depending on traffic conditions.

Most of the last 200,000 miles was in 2 different W124's. My newest addition is a '97 S320. That one can be driven with one finger. An interstate dream machine.

Steve

MBeige · #27 03-08-2007, 08:24 PM

The second pic is how I do it but I try to keep my thumbs outside when in the twisties

benzforlife · #28 03-08-2007, 08:29 PM

i usually have my left hand/ palm on top of the whell while having my right elbow on the armrest with my right hand on the shift knob, its so nice being able to do 85mph and steer with just one hand, now thats simplicity/quality!

Ara T. · #29 03-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Rest one arm on the driver door handle, rest the other on the center arm rest. Very comfortable if you do that. I removed my rubber school bus wheel and put in a wooden, 3 aluminum spoke Nardi and like it much better though.

barry123400 · #30 03-08-2007, 11:05 PM

There are a few things that occur to me. Is there any vibration noticable transmitted to the wheel? You could rest a cup of water against the rim at speed to rule it out as a test. When you say you are getting older that means over twenty one on this site it seems.

I suspect one of three things might be tiring your hands . Either circulation problems, transmitted vibrations or the effort of holding the wheel. Tape a piece of foam on your usually normal position temporarily and see if that helps. If it does invest in a padded steering rim cover. The only other approach I can think of is changing hands frequently to give one hand a rest. The last thought is that you may have your seat positioned too far back causing your hand to carry or support too much weight in an extended or awkward position. If your spring seat bottom has sagged on one side it might be it too. Also you might try changing your elevation by trying out a cushion under you.

View Poll Results: How do you hold the steering wheel?
Always at 10 and 2	9	14.06%
left hand with elbow resting	30	46.88%
right hand upper ear of wheel	2	3.13%
right hand center of ears	2	3.13%
right hand lower ear	6	9.38%
12:00 position	6	9.38%
random, no pattern at all	20	31.25%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll