 Think of the steering wheel and pedals as your control panel when it comes to getting more power and better (and safer) maneuvering when taking your travels off-road. 10 and 2: The old clock position analogy is right on the money when it comes to off-roading. Think of your steering wheel as a clock face, and keep your hands at 10- and 2-o'clock (or 9- and 3-o'clock, whichever feels most comfortable to you). These are the positions that will give you the most control. Thumbs outside: Be sure to keep your thumbs on the rim of the steering wheel (where they are safest from injury) and away from the spokes inside the wheel. Hitting a rock, stump or other obstacle can sometimes cause the steering wheel to turn quickly and the result can be broken, dislocated or jammed thumbs. These injuries are common off-road injuries that can be avoided by following this simple tip. Feed the wheel: Most on-road drivers use a wax-on/wax-off motion to turn the wheel by letting it slide through their hands as the tires straighten out. When off road, it's important to feed the wheel from one hand to the other, making deliberate movements, so your hands are on the wheel at all times. Not only will you have more control, but it will also be easier to keep track of where the wheels are pointing. Make sure your wheels are properly aligned with our wheel alignment service. Sawing the Wheel: When facing a rutty situation, "sawing the wheel" is a useful steering technique for getting more traction. Sawing is just like it sounds – rapid back-and-forth/side-to-side movements of the steering wheel. This action shifts the load of the vehicle from side to side which helps the elements on the tires' sidewalls and shoulders bite into the sides of ruts for extra traction. (See "Ruts" in Part 3 for more information.)
Reduces reaction time. You maintain more control when you don't have to switch between the gas and brake pedals with your right foot. In some off-road situations, that second or so that it takes to move your right foot from the throttle to the brake pedal can be critical. Left foot braking equals faster reaction time when braking. Controls the load transfer. Braking or accelerating causes your vehicle's weight to shift from axle to axle. Left-foot braking on rough terrain helps to balance the load across all four tires for a smoother ride. Maintains maximum ground clearance. Left-foot braking slows suspension compression – a must so you don't bottom out and damage critical components on the underside of the vehicle. Takes slack out of the drive train and torque converter. Left-foot braking in a low gear helps you control your speed and RPMs, and keeps the drive train loaded and ready to go. No slamming: When you slam on the brakes, the front of your vehicle dips down and the vehicle's weight shifts to the front. Were you to slam on your brakes while on a steep incline or slant, such a drastic shift in weight puts you at major risk for losing tire traction and control of your vehicle. Apply enough brake pressure to stop the vehicle, but no more. No pumping: Similar to slamming, pumping your brakes can also cause your car to lurch forward and backward, which puts traction and control at risk. Keep brake pressure constant. No revving: Revving your engine can cause tires to spin, resulting in a loss of traction and potentially leaving you stuck! Apply just enough gas to move the vehicle as slow or fast as desired. Yes. When climbing over obstacles, press the brake and gas together. With your left foot on the brake, apply just enough throttle to make the vehicle move forward. The throttle will keep you moving over the rough terrain, while the brake will keep you from going so fast that you can't maintain control. This also allows you to control the suspension and speed of the vehicle over the obstacle instead of the vehicle and the obstacle controlling you. This technique is obviously more difficult with manual transmission and it also becomes less necessary when the vehicle uses lower gearing. These steps will help you securely stop, reduce the chances of roll and ensure the weight of your car is resting on the emergency brake instead of the transmission.
Read more off-road driving tips – Part 1: Gears and Part 3: Maneuvering. Check out the off-road video featuring the BF Goodrich Mud Terrain boulder crawl. Before you head out on the open road, be sure your off-road ride is properly lubed with our fast and affordable oil change service. You may have heard that you need to keep your hands on the steering wheel in the 10 and 2, but new evidence has determined that a new hand position for the steering wheel actually allows you better control, is more ergonomic and can help you avoid an accident. By shifting your hands down the steering wheel to the 9 and 3 o’clock position, you can actually get better control of your vehicle and will be more comfortable when you drive. The following are a few in-depth examples why this hand position is optimal for avoiding crashes or even injury during a crash. Some drivers keep both hands on the top or the bottom of the steering wheel. Some use only one hand to steer. While different people grip the steering wheel different ways, anything besides both hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 reduce the amount of control you have over your vehicle and can lead to collisions if you are ever in a situation where you have to react quickly to avoid a hazard. The 9 and 3 position allows for better control because it offers balance with the vehicle, your turning radius increases, and both hands let you maneuver with less difficulty. In addition to control, the 9 and 3 o’clock position is optimal because it’s considered a parallel position, making it more comfortable. It keeps the driver’s body stable to reduce excessive steering wheel movement. This is an issue with many young drivers, who tend to overcorrect when faced with a situation in which they must quickly maneuver their vehicle. Excessive steering wheel movement tends to cause serious crashes and even fatalities. The 9 and 3 o’clock position also allows drivers to change lanes safely because they can go 180 degrees either way and arrive back at the center. It’s also better for your arms and hands and reduces fatigue, making it the ideal hand position for a long drive. In the past, drivers were recommended to position their hands at 10 and 2 o’clock. This was before airbags were invented. If you were to keep your hands in that position now, you could break your hands or arms in the event of an airbag deployment. More serious—and rather repulsive—injuries include amputations and degloving. Airbags tend to deploy upward, so your chest and head are protected. This force of deployment—up to 250 mph—can cause your hands, if placed at the top of the steering wheel, to hit you in the head. If your hands are not amputated, then you could still suffer a concussion or a broken nose. These injuries may sound extreme, but they happen. Remember, keeping your hands in the optimal 9 and 3 o’clock position prevents airbag injuries in the event they deploy in a collision. Car Accident Attorneys Can HelpThere are many things you can do to avoid accidents, and putting your hands in the proper position on the steering wheel is a preventative measure you can take. The following list continues more tips on how to stay safe in Las Vegas. However, if you have been injured, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for help.
The two most important considerations when steering a motor vehicle are Steering Wheel Grip and Steering Wheel Technique. Steering Wheel Grip Rules
Steering Wheel TechniqueThere are two methods of steering a motor vehicle that demonstrate correct steering wheel technique. These are the pull-push steering method and the hand-over-hand method. Your Driving Instructor should assist in deciding which method is most suitable for you. Pull Push Steering vs Hand Over Hand SteeringThere is some debate over which steering wheel technique provides a safer driving experience. Recent laws mandating airbags in new vehicles have made some question the safety of the hand over hand method. This is because crossing arms in front of the air bag may increase the likelihood of injury should the airbag be deployed. Approved Driving School doesn't provide a specific recommendation on which steering wheel method you should use, however we suggest taking this under consideration. Older vehicles without power assisted steering may be controlled more efficiently using the hand over hand steering method. The following video demonstrates the pull push vs hand over hand steering methods... |
Why do you want to straighten your car front wheel and then position your hands on the steering wheel at the nine and 3 oclock position before driving off?
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