Resting hand on the gear stick

[ymwoods]

Obviously some of this will come into a post a while back on what position is best to hold the steering wheel, the general idea was that however you felt comfortable as long as you could "feel" and control the car was fine.

Well pearsonally i go for the arm on top style unless im taking a hard corner or delicate monouver then i usually swap back to "L" driver style grip.

However when im in the arm on top style i usually rest my other hand on the gear stick, a friend noticed me doing this and said that i could be causing damage to the gearbox, clutch etc as im putting pressure on the gearstick whilst resting my arm on it. not to the point it comes out of gear or anything, probably more down-pressure than anything and i was just wondering if he was right? i have done it since i first started driving and no problems so far yet when resting my hand on the gearstick it obv does move ever so slightly from the position it sits in normally when i am not however.

Edited by ymwoods on Thursday 30th July 02:30

[scoobydude]

Yes He's right. You could be putting strain on the Synchros without realising it.

[Pigeon]

ymwoods said:

Well pearsonally i go for the arm on top style

Are you for real?

[The Riddler]

Pigeon said:

ymwoods said:

Well pearsonally i go for the arm on top style

Are you for real?

True rude bwoi stylee.

[ymwoods]

haha, its just my most comfortable style to drive with. not always on top though, sometimes at the side etc etc

[DaveL86]

scoobydude said:

Yes He's right. You could be putting strain on the Synchros without realising it.

I've also heard this so I don't touch my knob (gear of course) while driving... lol

Having an arm rest has its advantages and means I don't have to anymore.

[p1esk]

scoobydude said:

Yes He's right. You could be putting strain on the Synchros without realising it.

Maybe, but I think it very unlikely. If he's merely resting his hand on the gear knob and perhaps moving it very slightly he may be doing no more than taking up a bit of slack in the linkage, and not involving the synchromesh mechanism at all. I doubt if there is much of a problem there, but the hand/arm on the steering wheel sounds a bit more suspect.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[ymwoods]

p1esk said:

scoobydude said:

Yes He's right. You could be putting strain on the Synchros without realising it.

Maybe, but I think it very unlikely. If he's merely resting his hand on the gear knob and perhaps moving it very slightly he may be doing no more than taking up a bit of slack in the linkage, and not involving the synchromesh mechanism at all. I doubt if there is much of a problem there, but the hand/arm on the steering wheel sounds a bit more suspect.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

I dont mean my actual ARM on top...i mean holding the steering wheel from the top??

And thanks for the help guys, think i will stick to 2 hands on the wheel from now on, just to be safe

[grumpyscot]

In my own car (a manual) I drive with both hands at 10 :2. In SWMBO's car - an auto - I drive with one hand on the wheel, the other left on the armrest. Maybe her car (a CRV) is just too different a driving position - I tend not to be so aggressive when driving it compared with my own.

[RobM77]

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind. It's a game I play when bored on the road There are plenty of situations where you're going to make the car slide when it needn't do, and plenty of situations where you're going to crash when you needn't. I'd suggest putting both hands on the wheel at quarter to for a while and see if you notice a difference.

[p1esk]

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind.

Hmm, I find that hard to believe.

BTW, have you established a method of following them from in front.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[GreenV8S]

Pigeon said:

ymwoods said:

Well pearsonally i go for the arm on top style

Are you for real?

Somehow I doubt it.

[RobM77]

p1esk said:

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something ) Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind.

Hmm, I find that hard to believe. BTW, have you established a method of following them from in front. Best wishes all, Dave.

:-) I don't have a 100% success rate, otherwise it wouldn't be a game :-) It's usually possible to spot though. The car turns in gently then increases the rate of turn.

[7mike]

p1esk said:

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind.

Hmm, I find that hard to believe.

BTW, have you established a method of following them from in front.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Even easier, look in the mirror & see a set of knuckles at 12o'clock.

[Loque]

Hmm, I have an issue here. This is definitely something I do, all the time. I just don't see what to do with the other hand, it looks out of place in my lap, I look like some drift magnate if it's on the handbrake and I can't put it on the wheel because it feels unnatural, unless I'm driving hard. Damn two spoke steering wheels.

[ymwoods]

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind. It's a game I play when bored on the road There are plenty of situations where you're going to make the car slide when it needn't do, and plenty of situations where you're going to crash when you needn't. I'd suggest putting both hands on the wheel at quarter to for a while and see if you notice a difference.

Hi, i see your point but as i said if i am doing any kind of difficult corners or anything that needs more than normal concentration to achieve the other hand goes on the steering wheel. One arm is just more comfortable, I don't find that i cant put lock on as quick as if i needed to lock while going forward at speed...which so far havnt, by the time my arm reached the bottem of the steering wheel my second hand would be ready to turn it the rest of the way. In car parks, corners etc the second hand is still getting used. The only danger i have really seen for myself is braking, as i dont have ABS on unstable surfaces sometimes the car tries to pull and it helps 100% to have two hands on the wheel. but again within half a second my other hand is on the steering wheel

[RobM77]

ymwoods said:

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind. It's a game I play when bored on the road There are plenty of situations where you're going to make the car slide when it needn't do, and plenty of situations where you're going to crash when you needn't. I'd suggest putting both hands on the wheel at quarter to for a while and see if you notice a difference.

Hi, i see your point but as i said if i am doing any kind of difficult corners or anything that needs more than normal concentration to achieve the other hand goes on the steering wheel. One arm is just more comfortable, I don't find that i cant put lock on as quick as if i needed to lock while going forward at speed...which so far havnt, by the time my arm reached the bottem of the steering wheel my second hand would be ready to turn it the rest of the way. In car parks, corners etc the second hand is still getting used. The only danger i have really seen for myself is braking, as i dont have ABS on unstable surfaces sometimes the car tries to pull and it helps 100% to have two hands on the wheel. but again within half a second my other hand is on the steering wheel

Treat any corner with respect, you never know what's round it or on the road surface (try controlling a slide on wet mud with one hand on the top of the wheel!). Also, you can't predict what's going to happen next, even in a straight line. It's like riding the Tube without holding on - it's easy to do but someday you will fall over when the train brakes unexpectedly or rattles over a rough section of rail.

Mainly though, you just don't have proper control when operating the steering wheel - your inputs will be non linear and unbalanced. It's a shame to drive like a learner when otherwise you're experienced and astute.

[ymwoods]

RobM77 said:

ymwoods said:

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind. It's a game I play when bored on the road There are plenty of situations where you're going to make the car slide when it needn't do, and plenty of situations where you're going to crash when you needn't. I'd suggest putting both hands on the wheel at quarter to for a while and see if you notice a difference.

Hi, i see your point but as i said if i am doing any kind of difficult corners or anything that needs more than normal concentration to achieve the other hand goes on the steering wheel. One arm is just more comfortable, I don't find that i cant put lock on as quick as if i needed to lock while going forward at speed...which so far havnt, by the time my arm reached the bottem of the steering wheel my second hand would be ready to turn it the rest of the way. In car parks, corners etc the second hand is still getting used. The only danger i have really seen for myself is braking, as i dont have ABS on unstable surfaces sometimes the car tries to pull and it helps 100% to have two hands on the wheel. but again within half a second my other hand is on the steering wheel

Treat any corner with respect, you never know what's round it or on the road surface (try controlling a slide on wet mud with one hand on the top of the wheel!). Also, you can't predict what's going to happen next, even in a straight line. It's like riding the Tube without holding on - it's easy to do but someday you will fall over when the train brakes unexpectedly or rattles over a rough section of rail.

Mainly though, you just don't have proper control when operating the steering wheel - your inputs will be non linear and unbalanced. It's a shame to drive like a learner when otherwise you're experienced and astute.

Hmmm, point taken, The push pull grip isnt for me though, so i think im gonna go look back on one of the older threads on different ways to hold the steering wheel, try a few out that people have said were good for control and feel etc

[RobM77]

ymwoods said:

RobM77 said:

ymwoods said:

RobM77 said:

Yes, resting your hand on the gearstick isn't a good idea. It's also pointless (unless you're accelerating hard in an R500 or something )

Regarding your steering, I'd advise you to change your grip. Firstly, holding the wheel with one hand is unsafe because your limited in the amount of lock you can put in suddenly if required. Secondly, and probably most importantly, your inputs aren't balanced - you'll be "falling" to one side and the other. I can bet that no matter how hard you try your inputs are noticeably non-linear. It's a bold claim, but I reckon I can tell a "one arm" steerer just from following them from behind. It's a game I play when bored on the road There are plenty of situations where you're going to make the car slide when it needn't do, and plenty of situations where you're going to crash when you needn't. I'd suggest putting both hands on the wheel at quarter to for a while and see if you notice a difference.

Hi, i see your point but as i said if i am doing any kind of difficult corners or anything that needs more than normal concentration to achieve the other hand goes on the steering wheel. One arm is just more comfortable, I don't find that i cant put lock on as quick as if i needed to lock while going forward at speed...which so far havnt, by the time my arm reached the bottem of the steering wheel my second hand would be ready to turn it the rest of the way. In car parks, corners etc the second hand is still getting used. The only danger i have really seen for myself is braking, as i dont have ABS on unstable surfaces sometimes the car tries to pull and it helps 100% to have two hands on the wheel. but again within half a second my other hand is on the steering wheel

Treat any corner with respect, you never know what's round it or on the road surface (try controlling a slide on wet mud with one hand on the top of the wheel!). Also, you can't predict what's going to happen next, even in a straight line. It's like riding the Tube without holding on - it's easy to do but someday you will fall over when the train brakes unexpectedly or rattles over a rough section of rail.

Mainly though, you just don't have proper control when operating the steering wheel - your inputs will be non linear and unbalanced. It's a shame to drive like a learner when otherwise you're experienced and astute.

Hmmm, point taken, The push pull grip isnt for me though, so i think im gonna go look back on one of the older threads on different ways to hold the steering wheel, try a few out that people have said were good for control and feel etc

Personally, I'd recommend you try a light hold at quarter to three so your hands are on a diameter (balanced inputs). This is how racing drivers steer, for a very good reason. The reason for ten to two, as used on tractors and yachts, is to provide leverage for heavy steering, which is unecessary nowadays. You'll find that most bends can be taken with your hands fixed in this position, and when you need to feed do it in large sweeps.

Another thing I've just thought of: for the equivalent grip on the wheel with one hand you'll need to grip twice as hard as with two hands. Grip is a bad thing on a wheel because it loses feel. Therefore both hands gives you twice the feel.

[BertBert]

I think that you could try the 30-day approach. It is said by clever people that a habit takes 30 days to change. The reason that you feel uncomfortable with two-hands and comfortable with 1 hand steering and 1 hand gearstick, is that it is habitual behaviour.

I have two examples. I had a painful L shoulder for a year. I ended up using one handed stearing just as you describe, but with my left hand in my lap (often holding the bottom of the wheel!). When my shoulder was fixed, I carried on holding the wheel in that way as it was comfortable. I decided to make a positive change. So basically for just over a month I made a mental effort every day to hold the wheel with two hands. Easy, that became the comfortable habit.

I did it again recently. I hurt my L hand so decided to wear my watch on my right hand. It took 34 days before I felt comfortable and habitually looked at my right wrist to tell the time!

So whatever new way you decide to hold the wheel, do it for 30 days and let us know if it becomes comfy!

Bert