Why do Women sit so close to the Steering Wheel?

[UncappedTag]

It's related to the kitchen sink. Because they have small feet

[james_gt3rs]

I think it's because they often like to drive with their hands at 12 o'clock, so this is the best position for it.
Also, I think they like to have their hands off the wheel for as little time as possible, so they want the gearstick, pedals and wheel as close as possible.

[Stevorocket]

They lean forward to see over the wheel, it also helps when they reach for the lip stick, comb and eye shadow which is in their make-up bag on the dash next to the Daily Mail/Hello magazine and mobile phone.

[sleep envy]

the need to see the furthermost edges of the bonnet, for what reason I've no idea

[The Black Flash]

flemke said:

jellison said:

Nothing to do with height you see average height or tall women get out most of the time with the wheel MUCH closer than you would for a man of similar height.

It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.

I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.

Did not think on the airbag thing.

Maybe it is driver instructor lead?

It depends on what you mean by "so close".
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.

Very true.
Out of interest, look at a WRC in-car shot and you'll see that they have the steering wheels very close to them. The closer it is, the better leverage you get...obviously there's a point when that gets outweighed by not being able to move

[JamesK]

I hadn't considered the airbag issue but it staggers me how these people can drive properly with NO peripheral vision whatsover! The only thing these people must be able to see out of the corners of their eyes is the A-pillar. You must have to turn your head at least 45 degrees just to see the wing mirror!

[pits]

SimonV8ster said:

They like the feeling when they turn the wheel, turns them on. Scania wheel nuts come to mind.

Actually its scammel wheel nuts

Google image results for Scania wheel nuts


And now Scammel wheel nuts
http://www.peanutsmuggling.co.uk/largepink.jpg

[BigLepton]

paulmurr said:

BigLepton said:

paulmurr said:

My missus is only 5'1" so sitting close to the wheel is necessary for her to be able to drive.

My mum is also 5'1" so I made sure she bought a car with a steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake so she can be close enough to reach the pedals, but still have the wheel far enough away so the airbags don't kill her in a 30mph bump.

The steering wheel doesn't adjust on her Clio (I don't think it does anyway )

TBH, she's already put one upside down in a cow field and walked away from it so I suspect that she'll be fine in most events

Yeah, they're tougher than they look, just keep up the life insurance payments!

[SimonV8ster]

pits said:

SimonV8ster said:

They like the feeling when they turn the wheel, turns them on. Scania wheel nuts come to mind.

Actually its scammel wheel nuts

Google image results for Scania wheel nuts


And now Scammel wheel nuts
http://www.peanutsmuggling.co.uk/largepink.jpg

Thank you. I had the right vision in my mind clearly.

I started to type Scammel but couldn't remember if it had two M's or two L's so rather than get a yellow card issued by the spelling police I went for Scania. Wish I hadn't bothered now.

BTW - I've just noticed the title of the website where that photo comes from - how strange.

[sleep envy]

pits said:

http://www.peanutsmuggling.co.uk/largepink.jpg

you could hang wet duffle coats off them!!

[sleep envy]

pits said:

http://www.peanutsmuggling.co.uk/largepink.jpg

you could hang wet duffle coats off them!!

[Zod]

flemke said:

jellison said:

Nothing to do with height you see average height or tall women get out most of the time with the wheel MUCH closer than you would for a man of similar height.

It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.

I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.

Did not think on the airbag thing.

Maybe it is driver instructor lead?

It depends on what you mean by "so close".
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.

most male drivers, so many of whom seem to believe that straight arms allow best control of the wheel.

[Boosted LS1]

sleep envy said:

pits said:

http://www.peanutsmuggling.co.uk/largepink.jpg

you could hang wet duffle coats off them!!

I'd rather hang me off them, yummy.

[barchetta_boy]

flemke said:

jellison said:

Nothing to do with height you see average height or tall women get out most of the time with the wheel MUCH closer than you would for a man of similar height.

It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.

I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.

Did not think on the airbag thing.

Maybe it is driver instructor lead?

It depends on what you mean by "so close".
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.

Agreed. First thing my instructor did at my first track driving lesson was move my seat 6 inches forward. "Now you can actually control the car properly".

Joel

[The Riddler]

sleep envy said:

pits said:

http://www.peanutsmuggling.co.uk/largepink.jpg

you could hang wet duffle coats off them!!

Like chappel hat pegs!

[Lucie911]

I'm a 5'9'' woman, I find sitting further back comfier, but I found that my driving instructor and then IAM instructor both wouldn't accept it and made me sit 'so that your wrist can rest on the top of the steering wheel if you rested your arm on it'.

[Rich_W]

flemke said:

It depends on what you mean by "so close".
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.

jellison said:

Ok I sit much like most men I think arms a little bent (certainly not straight), say at 140deg's.

Most women even the short ones sit much closer than the should (assuming they can reach the peddles) with arms closer to 90 degress!

Your Mrs has better a better set up than you!

The Black Flash said:

Very true.
Out of interest, look at a WRC in-car shot and you'll see that they have the steering wheels very close to them. The closer it is, the better leverage you get...obviously there's a point when that gets outweighed by not being able to move

Zod said:

It depends on what you mean by "so close".
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.

most male drivers, so many of whom seem to believe that straight arms allow best control of the wheel.

For the majority on here who have no idea how to set up your controls. Heres the short version.

Put belt on.
Reach out in front of you.
Rest your wrists on the edge of the steering wheel.

Obviously you may need to tweak things if you car has option for column or pedal adjustment. But that's the easist way to explain it.

[topless_mx5]

Lucie911 said:

I'm a 5'9'' woman, I find sitting further back comfier, but I found that my driving instructor and then IAM instructor both wouldn't accept it and made me sit 'so that your wrist can rest on the top of the steering wheel if you rested your arm on it'.

I used to sit quite far back but now sit upright so my wrists can touch the top of the wheel without having to stretch. If you look at any video of an F1 driver driving a road car they are sitting pretty close to the wheel. If for example the back end steps out, you want to be able to reach anywhere on the wheel without having to straighten your arms.

[Dr Jekyll]

There is a theory that drivers with short sight but no glasses/lenses tend to sit too close, subconciously they are trying to get closer to the view in front.

[tenohfive]

Personally I reckon its just so they can see where the edge of the bonnet is. Theres an old much quoted statistic that women's spacial awareness is crap but they're less aggressive drivers, and I suspect theres an element of truth to it.