Better steering wheel grip for cruising

wdkwang · 03-07-2011, 04:04 PM

I've noticed most new and old car steering wheels have a design where the bottom point of the wheel is obstructed by a pillar. This makes grabbing the wheel from the bottom uneasy and doesn't feel natural.

So what I have resorted to doing (and some of you as well, I assume) is using an underhand grip around 7-8 o'clock on the wheel.

This is a picture of a 92 Acura Integra, a car that was in my family for 19 years, until I sold it temporarily to a friend a few weeks ago. Despite it having a large steering wheel, I loved the design and the fact that I could comfortably and naturally grip it underhand/overhand style at the bottom (6 o'clock)

I understand performance cars aren't meant to be gripped from the bottom but I mean, most people don't drive their cars in battle mode 24/7 with 2 hands on the wheel.

theDreamer · 03-07-2011, 04:06 PM

I am always in battle mode.

wdkwang · 03-07-2011, 04:11 PM

lol

Dreezy562 · 03-07-2011, 04:12 PM

EazyD · 03-07-2011, 04:13 PM

Agreeing with Wdkwang. Arms get tired on the highway - maybe I just néed to exercise more.

bigdog1250 · 03-07-2011, 04:14 PM

I think grabbing the wheel at the bottom in the first place is unnatural and odd. If I do find my hand down there it is usually my left hand and its on the outside of the wheel at the 7 position, while my right hand is at the opposite side of the wheel at about 1 or 2.

Not a good driving habbit IMO to be holding at the bottom of the wheel, slower for quick reactions

m4a1mustang · 03-07-2011, 04:14 PM

I do the underhand grip when cruising as well (if the road conditions allow for it). The key is to find a grip on the wheel that is most comfortable to you and always remain alert.

bigdog1250 · 03-07-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EazyD

Agreeing with Wdkwang. Arms get tired on the highway - maybe I just néed to exercise more.

Rest your left shoulder on the top of the door, or on the door's armpad. That usually helps.

kenchan · 03-07-2011, 04:17 PM

i dont even use my hands to drive these days.

toxik · 03-07-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i dont even use my hands to drive these days.

yeah I use my 3rd leg.

kenchan · 03-07-2011, 04:21 PM

but you drives in reverse....

toxik · 03-07-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

but you drives in reverse....

with the vdc off, what's your point?

kenchan · 03-07-2011, 04:24 PM

you're doing it all wrong...

6MT · 03-07-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I am always in battle mode.

Classic

wdkwang · 03-07-2011, 04:26 PM

I find myself switching between 3-4 positions just about every time I hop in the Z.

1. There's the typical Vin Diesel grip. One handed at 12 o'clock.
2. Two handed at 9 and 3. 10 and 2 feels weird for me.
3. One handed understand grip for cruising at 7 o'clock.
4. One handed at the left pillar at 9 o'clock while resting my arm on the door sill. But this gets uncomfortable pretty fast since the door sill is so high up. And this is coming from a 6'2" guy that goes to the gym.

Coming from an Integra, I can't help but feel like the Z intentionally tries to keep you in battle mode, given that there's not too many positions you can have.
For comparison, the Integra windows were huge and, as a side effect, the door sills were low so you could rest your arm on it all way without tiring. Given, it was a econo sporty car back in its day, it seemed to have more in mind for driver comfort.

03-07-2011, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
wdkwang Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 899 Drives: slidewayz Rep Power: 20	Better steering wheel grip for cruising I've noticed most new and old car steering wheels have a design where the bottom point of the wheel is obstructed by a pillar. This makes grabbing the wheel from the bottom uneasy and doesn't feel natural. So what I have resorted to doing (and some of you as well, I assume) is using an underhand grip around 7-8 o'clock on the wheel. This is a picture of a 92 Acura Integra, a car that was in my family for 19 years, until I sold it temporarily to a friend a few weeks ago. Despite it having a large steering wheel, I loved the design and the fact that I could comfortably and naturally grip it underhand/overhand style at the bottom (6 o'clock) I understand performance cars aren't meant to be gripped from the bottom but I mean, most people don't drive their cars in battle mode 24/7 with 2 hands on the wheel. __________________ Powerhouse Amuse \| K&N Typhoon Intakes \| MotorDyne ART Pipes \| Borla Catback Exhaust \| B&M Short Shifter \| Intake Ducts \| Ichiba 25mm F/R Spacers \| Carbon Fiber Interior Vinyl Wrap \| Tints \| 10000k HIDs \| Vtak, yo!

03-07-2011, 04:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I am always in battle mode. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

03-07-2011, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
wdkwang Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 899 Drives: slidewayz Rep Power: 20	lol __________________ Powerhouse Amuse \| K&N Typhoon Intakes \| MotorDyne ART Pipes \| Borla Catback Exhaust \| B&M Short Shifter \| Intake Ducts \| Ichiba 25mm F/R Spacers \| Carbon Fiber Interior Vinyl Wrap \| Tints \| 10000k HIDs \| Vtak, yo!

03-07-2011, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 25	Agreeing with Wdkwang. Arms get tired on the highway - maybe I just néed to exercise more. __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

03-07-2011, 04:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 17	I think grabbing the wheel at the bottom in the first place is unnatural and odd. If I do find my hand down there it is usually my left hand and its on the outside of the wheel at the 7 position, while my right hand is at the opposite side of the wheel at about 1 or 2. Not a good driving habbit IMO to be holding at the bottom of the wheel, slower for quick reactions __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

03-07-2011, 04:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dreezy562 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long beach, ca Posts: 419 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 14

03-07-2011, 04:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I do the underhand grip when cruising as well (if the road conditions allow for it). The key is to find a grip on the wheel that is most comfortable to you and always remain alert. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

03-07-2011, 04:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i dont even use my hands to drive these days.

03-07-2011, 04:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	but you drives in reverse....

03-07-2011, 04:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	you're doing it all wrong...

03-07-2011, 04:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
wdkwang Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 899 Drives: slidewayz Rep Power: 20	I find myself switching between 3-4 positions just about every time I hop in the Z. 1. There's the typical Vin Diesel grip. One handed at 12 o'clock. 2. Two handed at 9 and 3. 10 and 2 feels weird for me. 3. One handed understand grip for cruising at 7 o'clock. 4. One handed at the left pillar at 9 o'clock while resting my arm on the door sill. But this gets uncomfortable pretty fast since the door sill is so high up. And this is coming from a 6'2" guy that goes to the gym. Coming from an Integra, I can't help but feel like the Z intentionally tries to keep you in battle mode, given that there's not too many positions you can have. For comparison, the Integra windows were huge and, as a side effect, the door sills were low so you could rest your arm on it all way without tiring. Given, it was a econo sporty car back in its day, it seemed to have more in mind for driver comfort. __________________ Powerhouse Amuse \| K&N Typhoon Intakes \| MotorDyne ART Pipes \| Borla Catback Exhaust \| B&M Short Shifter \| Intake Ducts \| Ichiba 25mm F/R Spacers \| Carbon Fiber Interior Vinyl Wrap \| Tints \| 10000k HIDs \| Vtak, yo!

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