3-Spoke Steering Wheels

[Merkava_4]

I've been wondering why car manufacturers use 3-spoke steering wheels. If you ever want to rest your hand at the 6:00 o'clock position, you can't. The 4-spoke steering wheel in my Buick LeSabre allows me to rest my right hand at the 6:00 o'clock position while driving at low speeds on up to 25 miles per hour. At higher speeds, I'll switch to my left hand at the 1:00 o'clock position. I've never been able to drive at the textbook 10 and 2 o'clock position with both hands on the wheel; doing so, makes me feel uptight for some reason.

What about you guys, how do you position you hands on the wheel?

Here's a Google image of a Buick LeSabre steering wheel for your reference:

 

[Silk]

Elbow out the window and one hand on the spinner.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I've never been able to drive at the textbook 10 and 2 o'clock position with both hands on the wheel

That's old school of thought. In the day and age of airbags, 9 and 3 o'clock is the new recommended hand position. Alas, I don't follow it either. Never had a problem with any 3-spoke wheel myself, but I never hold it at 6 o'clock either. I typically hold it somewhere near the top with one hand. Yes, I know it's not correct.

 

[KrisZ]

Nover a problem for me either and people driving with their left hand at 1 o'clock position, usually stretched to the limit, aka gangsta style, look like dorks.

 

[Hokiefyd]

My hands are typically at about 9:30 and at 2:30. That, or my elbow is on the door sill and hand at about 10:00. Our Honda has a 3-spoke wheel, and our Acura has a 4-spoke wheel. Never thought much about it really.

 

[Eddie]

+1 Quattro Pete: I drive with my thumbs hooked over the two horizontal spokes. Ed

 

[Spazdog]

Seems like an unnatural way to drive. I think the only thing I ever drove at the 6:00 position was our 1965 Chevrolet van and that was because the steering wheel was nearly horizontal.

You got your hand down by your lap moving back and forth.....yeah.....you might end up on a YouTube video.

I'm sure that somewhere out there, someone else is complaining that they can't drive at 4 and 8 because they have a 4 spoke wheel.

 

[SLCraig]

I love the 3 spoke wheels.
The steering wheel in my Civic is awesome, I love it. One of my favorite things about the car.

 

[dishdude]

The 3 spoke is usually the "sport" wheel, while the 4 spoke is typically the "luxury" wheel.

Don't ask me why or how they came up with that one...

 

[Mykl]

I've never put this much thought into it.

I typically drive at 9 and 3 with those positions pinched between my thumb and index finger. If I'm feeling lazy I'll hook my thumbs in and let my hands rest. If I'm feeling really lazy I'll keep one hand on the wheel at either 7 or 5 with my palm up; usually this is when I'm on the highway and I just need to keep the car moving straight.

 

[meep]

I've had similar observations on a 3-spoke. while the 3 might give a better resting place for your palms inside the wheel, you lose 6 o'clock. I don't use 6 very often, but on long drives when I start looking for a variety of positions, I like to have the option.

 

[Eddie]

I found allot has to do with the steering ratio. My CX7 has a fairly quick ratio so when I hold my thumbs over the horizontal spokes, I need only turn the wheel 90 degrees or so to make a city corner. I do not want to get in the habit of holding the wheel so I punch myself hard in the face if I get into an accident. Ed

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I grip the steering wheel without putting my thumbs around the steering wheel.

Pretty sure that comes from learning to drive on a Peterbilt in a parking lot with a lot of potholes ... It looks like I'm iving a thumbs up

 

[bdcardinal]

My Volvo is a 3 spoke, Mustang is a 4 spoke. The Volvo wheel is really nice, with thumb contours for 9 and 3.

 

[dwcopple]

My 2011 Civic had the best wheel in it, hands down. Honda just plain gets it.

 

[GreeCguy]

Originally Posted By: Silk
Elbow out the window and one hand on the spinner.


Ditto, elbow out the window, right hand at one o'clock, turn wheel with palm.

 

[Win]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
The 3 spoke is usually the "sport" wheel, while the 4 spoke is typically the "luxury" wheel.

Don't ask me why or how they came up with that one...


Interesting. Both the Jaguars have four spoke wheels, the later model is wood.

The G8 and Torrent GXP have three spokes. It's been almost a year since I sat in the Solstice, I don't recall what it has.

I prefer four spoke wheels.

edit: found a pic, the Sol is three spoke.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
My 2011 Civic had the best wheel in it, hands down. Honda just plain gets it.


Wrap it in leather and that is steering wheel bliss! (Mine has leather wrap)

 

[SLCraig]

 

[Traction]

I recall reading that the steering wheel are designed now to encourage drivers to keep their hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, so if the air bag deploys it has a clear path.