Correct driving positions
Discussion
cptsideways said:
I also note the slight sideways slouch has been mentioned, a special technique I find adept at reducing long range fatigue & offering a slightly different view from the mirrors, makes a nice occasional change. Its also a nice way to to warm the shoulder areas if you have heated seats 
Ah! That explains why all the homies around here drive like that
Ok lets put it another way...How much bent in the elbows 90" 120" wich is the proper>? If i sit with my shoulders all the way back and rest my wrists on top of the steering wneel is 90" if i be relaxed at the same position is 120" THe truth is the 90"position kinda feels awkward ...(i m driving a 520 e34 )Anyone can help?
>> Edited by lakebum on Monday 10th October 20:20
>> Edited by lakebum on Monday 10th October 20:20
lakebum said:
Ok lets put it another way...How much bent in the elbows 90" 120" wich is the proper>? If i sit with my shoulders all the way back and rest my wrists on top of the steering wneel is 90" if i be relaxed at the same position is 120" THe truth is the 90"position kinda feels awkward ...(i m driving a 520 e34 )Anyone can help?
>> Edited by lakebum on Monday 10th October 20:20
Do you sit hunched up against the wheel? The comfortable driving position for me is so with straight arms I can just rest my wrists on top of the wheel, holding the wheel at ten-to-two my arms are just slightly bent. I imagine that driving with my arms bent by 90 degrees or more would feel quite uncomfortable.
Rally drivers seem to have the wheel really close to their chest, I think it is to increase their leverage on the wheel because they're putting a lot of effort into it over a long time. I don't think the same applies to most of us pootling along in road cars. Having the wheel that close surely makes it a lot more awkward to steer though, in that your wrists have to go through more of an angle. With the steering wheel at the normal distance for me I can get about three quarters of a turn on before I run out of elbows so it's comfortable for cruising but also good for car control.
cptsideways said:
Does anybody "really" drive with two hands on the wheel if doing any great motorway type distance??(hoonage excepted) It makes your hands go cold holding them in the air (10-2) over any great distance & I mean not your average 30 min commute...more like 3-400 miles a day like reps & business types like myself often do.
From my observations the only people with two hands on the wheel are often nervous & don't like changing lanes!.
I think you can tell an awful lot about a driver & their attitude behind the wheel by their driving position, and a quick glance over when passing confirms what you thought when following them (usually).
Anyway, for high mileage I like a slightly laid back approach, with a comfy armrest ie not an horrible bit of lumpty plastic, a centre armrest & low steering wheel so you can keep your hands lower down. Best ever has to the Vauxhaul Omega Elite, followed by some of the Saabs or Volvo's. Worst are BMW Compacts with bus steering wheels that are fixed up in the air.
No doubt I'll be flamed & put in the sin bin & banned from this section for life & imprisoned in a locked Rover 600 with a rug on the shelf
I keep both hands on at quarter-to-three (because of the airbag) whether I'm driving 3 miles or 300. But then, I use push-pull steering almost all the time, too. And I maintain my 2 second gap. And I exercise lane discipline.
This week, I ar bin mosely polishin' my halo. </jesse>
And yes, the BMW compact wheel's lack of rake/reach is nutty, but not too bad if you're tall.
>> Edited by CommanderJameson on Thursday 27th October 07:33
>> Edited by CommanderJameson on Thursday 27th October 07:37
lakebum said:
Well...some instructors saying elbows bent 90o some 120o and some others 140o (degrees) wich one is the right one?
What ever is most biomechanically comfortable for you. Angle of elbow is unimportant, it's whether you can smothly apply steering using your wrists and elbows rather than moving your shoulders.
I think it's pretty important to consider the type of driving you are doing, and the type of car you're driving.
If you're on a track, giving large, and especially in a non-power steering car, then you want to be sure that you can comfortably apply sufficient leverage on the wheel very quickly should you need to.
My 964RS (without power steering), for example, requires me to work really quite hard at the wheel - whereas a GT3 (with power steering) requires a less physical approach.
If you're strolling along a motorway on a long distance cruise then a more relaxed position (within the bounds of what others have suggested) would be better than hunched over the wheel ready for the lurid oversteer!
>> Edited by Joe911 on Thursday 27th October 10:18
If you're on a track, giving large, and especially in a non-power steering car, then you want to be sure that you can comfortably apply sufficient leverage on the wheel very quickly should you need to.
My 964RS (without power steering), for example, requires me to work really quite hard at the wheel - whereas a GT3 (with power steering) requires a less physical approach.
If you're strolling along a motorway on a long distance cruise then a more relaxed position (within the bounds of what others have suggested) would be better than hunched over the wheel ready for the lurid oversteer!
>> Edited by Joe911 on Thursday 27th October 10:18
Sitting In The Car
It may sound silly, but many drivers do not sit behind the controls of their cars in a position that allows them to comfortably control the vehicle. Often they are too close to the steering wheel, or too far away from the pedals. Find a position where simultaneously:
1) When full depressing the brake your knee is slightly bent. (by adjusting the seat.)
2) When holding the steering wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock there is about a 45° bend in your elbows. You can comfortably reach the top of the steering wheel without stretching or lifting your shoulder blade off the seat back. (by adjusting the rack of the seat back.)
3) Your back is comfortable and well supported. You are able to move your hands on the steering wheel completely around without straining.
4) You can adjust your seat belts so you feel secure and held tightly in position. (A trick is to shove a wad of folded paper or cardboard into the take-up reel to hold the seat belt in a tight position.)
I read this article at www.gglotus.org/ggtech/autox-how2/howtoaut.htm
45° bend in your elbows??? Doesnt that sound like too close!?
It may sound silly, but many drivers do not sit behind the controls of their cars in a position that allows them to comfortably control the vehicle. Often they are too close to the steering wheel, or too far away from the pedals. Find a position where simultaneously:
1) When full depressing the brake your knee is slightly bent. (by adjusting the seat.)
2) When holding the steering wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock there is about a 45° bend in your elbows. You can comfortably reach the top of the steering wheel without stretching or lifting your shoulder blade off the seat back. (by adjusting the rack of the seat back.)
3) Your back is comfortable and well supported. You are able to move your hands on the steering wheel completely around without straining.
4) You can adjust your seat belts so you feel secure and held tightly in position. (A trick is to shove a wad of folded paper or cardboard into the take-up reel to hold the seat belt in a tight position.)
I read this article at www.gglotus.org/ggtech/autox-how2/howtoaut.htm
45° bend in your elbows??? Doesnt that sound like too close!?
lakebum said:Yes that's the praying mantis position.
Sitting In The Car
2) When holding the steering wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock there is about a 45° bend in your elbows. You can comfortably reach the top of the steering wheel without stretching or lifting your shoulder blade off the seat back. (by adjusting the rack of the seat back.)
I read this article at www.gglotus.org/ggtech/autox-how2/howtoaut.htm
45° bend in your elbows??? Doesnt that sound like too close!?
with elbows at 45 you'd have your face taken off by an air bag if it activated
i use
seat as high as possible, distance of seat from pedals gauged by ability to press the clutch just beyound biting point, little need to go any further, rake of seat so internal elbow angle no greater than 120, fine tune based on abilty to reach significant controls
i use
seat as high as possible, distance of seat from pedals gauged by ability to press the clutch just beyound biting point, little need to go any further, rake of seat so internal elbow angle no greater than 120, fine tune based on abilty to reach significant controls
Ok, so this supose to be an expert advise from www.racingschools.com
So, what has this to do with driving your car better and more safely? The answer is that if you are focused, you are going to be a better, safer driver. The seating position should be with the back of the seat slightly reclined, maybe one or two notches from the vertical. Your legs should have a 60-80 degree bend at the knee.
Your hand positioning is easy to set. When you get into your vehicle, put your wrists on top of the steering wheel. They should be at the top of the wheel at the 12 o'clock position, with the wheel 1/2-1 1/2" behind the wrist joint. Some drivers like the wrists to just "cut" the top of the steering wheel. Try to find you most comfortable position that gives you the required wheel authority.
If you are now leaning forward, move your seat up to achieve both the wrist and knee bent positioning. Together the position should be comfortable and relaxed. I really can't stress the importance of taking time to get this right. Your arms should have an 80-90 degree bend at the elbow once you have settled in. You will probably be somewhat nearer the wheel than customary for you, but try it both on short and longer journeys. Correct seat placement, along with steering wheel adjustment should ensure that you are in the correct position for a safe controlled drive.
What do you people think? Doesnt that sound like too close?...
So, what has this to do with driving your car better and more safely? The answer is that if you are focused, you are going to be a better, safer driver. The seating position should be with the back of the seat slightly reclined, maybe one or two notches from the vertical. Your legs should have a 60-80 degree bend at the knee.
Your hand positioning is easy to set. When you get into your vehicle, put your wrists on top of the steering wheel. They should be at the top of the wheel at the 12 o'clock position, with the wheel 1/2-1 1/2" behind the wrist joint. Some drivers like the wrists to just "cut" the top of the steering wheel. Try to find you most comfortable position that gives you the required wheel authority.
If you are now leaning forward, move your seat up to achieve both the wrist and knee bent positioning. Together the position should be comfortable and relaxed. I really can't stress the importance of taking time to get this right. Your arms should have an 80-90 degree bend at the elbow once you have settled in. You will probably be somewhat nearer the wheel than customary for you, but try it both on short and longer journeys. Correct seat placement, along with steering wheel adjustment should ensure that you are in the correct position for a safe controlled drive.
What do you people think? Doesnt that sound like too close?...
Sounds a lot closer than I am used to driving, I find that I need to keep my elbows relatively straight to enable me to use fixed grip steering through relatively large angles - with my elbows very bent I can only turn the wheel 90 degrees or so before my elbows and wrists lock up.
(Not that I used a fixed grip all the time, but I choose a driving position that enables me to use it when I choose to.)
(Not that I used a fixed grip all the time, but I choose a driving position that enables me to use it when I choose to.)
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