Archives

Seems pretty basic, and I haven't put any science to it, but keeping two hands on the wheel can increase FE.

I realized that with my old one-hand style of resting my left hand on the lower part of the wheel (right hand ready to shift), I was constantly correcting the wheel - albiet subtly. I found that it was much easier to keep the wheel straight and steady with two hands.

For me its the other way around. Keeping a light grip with one hand allows me to adjust for the cratered roads I travel without hunting around the lane as much.

I noticed myself doing the same thing when I started ridge riding, so back to the basics . . . two hands on the wheel and my FE is climbing all-be-it slowly it is climbing. My other techniques are getting better also :)

You probably could get excellent FE with one hand, but anyone familiar with my rants on this knows I doubt many drivers get good FE when they are doing this:

http://www.spencerthelion.com/images/fullofit01.jpg
Yes, that's me impersonating what I see daily - not necessarily that exaggarated.



A posture like that suggests lack of attention or concern for driving. Yes, you might get good FE, but it's not likely someone in that pose is into that.

The picture may not be typical of most one-handed drivers, but I do see this and it sends a lot of negative signals, inattentiveness being among them.

You probably could get excellent FE with one hand, but anyone familiar with my rants on this knows I doubt many drivers get good FE when they are doing this:...
A posture like that suggests lack of attention or concern for driving. Yes, you might get good FE, but it's not likely someone in that pose is into that.

Not like that. More like a pilot. Seat up and either forward for sporty driving or slightly back for better FE. One hand bent and grasping the wheel. Other arm either on the window/armrest or on the shifter depending on which arm. For the pilots out there, its the "one hand on the yoke and one on the throttle" position.

It feels like a grip at the side, aka at the same vertical
height as the axis of the steering column, lends the best
intuitive feel for what a hand movement is going to do. Top
or bottom introduces an out-of-phase component that makes it
harder to predict where a given tiny correction is going to
place the nose of the car in the next ten seconds. The fist
draped across the top is probably the worst, inherently unstable
position, but I see it all the time.
.
_H*

Not like that. More like a pilot. Seat up and either forward for sporty driving or slightly back for better FE. One hand bent and grasping the wheel. Other arm either on the window/armrest or on the shifter depending on which arm. For the pilots out there, its the "one hand on the yoke and one on the throttle" position.If the pickup drivers in my area were driving like real pilots, I would not be reading about rollovers daily - see Hobbit's remarks.

When I have a long trip and a sore back (side effect of working I guess) I rotate among five different driving positions to shift the pain around. Two of them are one handed (left hand on top, right hand on bottom.) Choice of hand position doesn't appear to effect my FE. YMMV

Seems pretty basic, and I haven't put any science to it, but keeping two hands on the wheel can increase FE.

I realized that with my old one-hand style of resting my left hand on the lower part of the wheel (right hand ready to shift), I was constantly correcting the wheel - albiet subtly. I found that it was much easier to keep the wheel straight and steady with two hands.

I drive most often with my left hand relaxed, lower-left part of the wheel. The right hand is stuck manipulating the shifter, so short of being on the open highway two hands is out. On longer trips I'll alternate hands since hey, one hand gets sore after a while.