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

vstech · #1 03-07-2007, 09:49 PM

I have been driving almost daily my 300SD and some trips are over 2 hours at a time, and my right hand is getting sore from holding onto the wheel. (yeah, yeah, I know I'm getting old...) I do have a small alignment issue with the Idler arm bushings that will be taken care of soon, then I can get it perfectly aligned!
anyway, I have wondered how everyone holds the wheel?
10 and 2?
left hand on lower side and rest elbow on door pull?

right hand on upper ear of the wheel and elbow to your side?

or this?

this?

12:00 position?

whatcha think?
John

oh, and perhaps taking pictures of the wheel on I-85 at night while driving was not really very smart...

300SD81 · #2 03-07-2007, 09:54 PM

For long, straight driving, I tend to put my hands flat on top of the rectangle part of the wheel. With my thumbs in the center star or have arms in my lap, holding the bottom of the wheel. For city driving, I move them around alot..

#3 03-07-2007, 09:56 PM

I usually use my knee while playing with the radio, drinking coffee, reading a map, and sending text messages from my cell phone.

Actually, if it's aligned well I usually have a couple of fingers resting on the wheel. I do switch hand positions often during long drives.

bgkast · #4 03-07-2007, 10:03 PM

I use the grip in the second picture. Never bothered me on 6+ hour drives.

sailor15015 · #5 03-07-2007, 10:04 PM

When doing long trips, I either have the left hand on the the top or bottom of the wheel with the right hand on the arm rest, or the right hand in either position with the left arm on the door arm rest. I fidget a lot so I switch positions frequently.

Brian Carlton · #6 03-07-2007, 11:19 PM

Join the club.

These wheels are killing me. I want to rest my hand on a spoke, but you can only get a couple of fingers in there..........a horrible position for the wrist.

It's a constant juggle between hands on a long trip.

I'd love to get a wheel with a decent spoke right at the 3:00 position.

DslBnz · #7 03-07-2007, 11:26 PM

Try getting used to the recent models without any center armrests or J-hooks.

I usually keep my center armrest retracted and rest my right hand on the shift knob. My left elbow is resting on the door's armrest while controlling the wheel with my left hand. In a relaxed grip.

JimmyL · #8 03-07-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DslBnz

I usually keep my center armrest retracted and rest my right hand on the shift knob. My left elbow is resting on the door's armrest while controlling the wheel with my left hand. In a relaxed grip.

Ditto. Exactly!
In 10 plus years in my F-150 there is a small crack matching my left elbow on the door, and the upper left of steering wheel is wearing off.
Don't drive the MB's enough to any rub off.....
It isn't part of the thread, but with an automatic I have to brake with my left foot! Have to! But with a standard I brake right footed of course, with no problems.
If is funny, my son drives the same way......

Boardmonger · #9 03-07-2007, 11:42 PM

I generally use my left hand, resting on the armrest or door panel, or lap and it at 6 o'clock. For more "spirited" driving, I go with 10 and 2 or 3 and 9.

Lycoming-8 · #10 03-07-2007, 11:43 PM

On long trips, especially where the roads ar fairly free of curvature, I have right hand at about 7 o'clock and the left hand is at 5 o'clock. Yeah, I know this is fairly unconventional, but the two arms can almost be at rest most of the time and the steering forces seem to be fairly well balanced, hand to hand. Both elbows are on the respective arm rests as well, and both hands are on the wheel!! This is not much good for any other kind of driving though, as it is only effective for a fairly minimal steering range.

pj67coll · #11 03-07-2007, 11:52 PM

I rest my left elbow on the door frame at the bottom of the window and hold the wheel in the top left with my left hand and my right arm rests on the arm rest and either grips the wheel on the right hand side or holds the shifter.

Or I hold the exact top of the wheel with my left hand and my right arm is on the center arm rest and holds the shifter.

- Peter.

TheDon · #12 03-07-2007, 11:59 PM

I rest my right elbow on the arm rest and my left hand is on the left armrest or on my ipod close to the wheel. I have two hands when im on the interstate or when about to corner.. I also have my left foot close to the seat or stretched out.

Quinn8it · #13 03-08-2007, 12:02 AM

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

kerry · #14 03-08-2007, 12:13 AM

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

justinperkins · #15 03-08-2007, 12:50 AM

I alternate between 10 & 2, left hand at 1 o'clock with right arm resting on armrest and then sometimes right hand at 11 o'clock with left arm resting on either driver door armrest or if it's nice outside, arm hanging out the window.

I never rest my thumbs, hands or anything on the "ears".

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