[supremeBaleno]

rks has a point - have read it elsewhere also (Maruti manual ?). The gear lever is for shifting, not leaning on. I used to rest the left hand on the gear lever when I started driving. Stopped after reading that it is not a good practice.

With the Baleno, I have picked up this new (wrong) practice, left hand on the hand brake lever. Need to quit that because in an emergency, I might unwittingly engage the brakes, when I did not actually intend to.

[esteem_lover]

why isn' t there a 7-5 choice. that would suit me most times, unless there is a serious turn or something.

[turbofreak]

ME Drive with one hand...the other hand is mostly busy in changing gears, tampering with the car audio

[condor]

Originally Posted by Samurai

But when I switch to 2 hands for finer control, I initially use 9-12 and then slowly slip to 9-1 position. Looks like my style is very different from others here.

9-1 is something I have found quite comfortable - and used often. The spoke at 9 helps. Also, the right hand at 9 means it's easy to get the right hand back to the gear lever for a gear shift.

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by condor

Also, the right hand at 9 means it's easy to get the right hand back to the gear lever for a gear shift.

Right Hand for gear Shifting

[condor]

sorry, technocrat - driving is second nature, and I just happened to slip back to my 4+ yrs of driving LHD's

[Thil]

One handed is for me.Some how i feel more comfortable in one handed position.
Infact when i went for a driving test in US.I drove one handed and the instructor adviced me to use both the hands (!)

[dustDevil]

One-handed is the way to go for me.... i have ben driving for only 2 years(officially) now and thats the way it suits me best! though in emergency situations or sharp turns the other hand automatically springs up for assistance!

[naveendhyani]

voted for 10-2

use 10-2 for city traffic & 8-4 for highway traffic. gear shifts do need a hand but immidiately put the hand back on the wheel, makes much more sense there

[1100D]

9-3 for me as the weight of one hand balances the other. and for breif moments its the gear shift. But 10-2 gives better feedback. But with modern cars with airbags 10-2 can be dangerous. as the hands would be forced up on deployment of the airbag causing sever injury to both arms and shoulders

[gd1418]

8-4 is the way friends. The most comfy position. Not talking through the hat but it is the experience of 29 yrs on the roads with varying machines like Mercury Ford, Morris minor, Baby Hindustan, Landmaster, Amby Mark II, Fiat 1100, M800 Dx, Gypsy, Volkswagon, Esteem, Safari 4x4 & Scorpio, that is speaking...:-)

Originally Posted by naveendhyani

voted for 10-2

use 10-2 for city traffic & 8-4 for highway traffic. gear shifts do need a hand but immidiately put the hand back on the wheel, makes much more sense there

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by gd1418

8-4 is the way friends. The most comfy position. Not talking through the hat but it is the experience of 29 yrs on the roads with varying machines like Mercury Ford, Morris minor, Baby Hindustan, Landmaster, Amby Mark II, Fiat 1100, M800 Dx, Gypsy, Volkswagon, Esteem, Safari 4x4 & Scorpio, that is speaking...:-)

This is one place where experience doesn't count, it depends on the physical build of the person, type of car, seat height, etc. I too have driven more than 50 models of cars, but I have seen my position change according to the placement of the spokes on the wheel and type of car. In fact I didn't even recall my steering postion until I consciously noticed yesterday while driving. BTW, I am still wondering about my steering position in my Santro, yesterday I drove the Baleno.

[ballkey]

Originally Posted by Samurai

This is one place where experience doesn't count, it depends on the physical build of the person, type of car, seat height, etc. I too have driven more than 50 models of cars, but I have seen my position change according to the placement of the spokes on the wheel and type of car. In fact I didn't even recall my steering postion until I consciously noticed yesterday while driving. BTW, I am still wondering about my steering position in my Santro, yesterday I drove the Baleno.

While I generally agree with your statement, it is possible that a few of us have learnt pretty uncomfortable driving habits, which could be rectified. For example, I started driving with both hands now, and can already feel the reduction in effort. Though it's pretty difficult to letgo of the gear lever ...

Another thing is people give you weird looks when you're all strapped up, both hands on the wheel, and sit erect without stooping. Even your close friends and relatives think you're a dork :P

[supremeBaleno]

Originally Posted by ballkey

While I generally agree with your statement, it is possible that a few of us have learnt pretty uncomfortable driving habits, which could be rectified. For example, I started driving with both hands now, and can already feel the reduction in effort. Though it's pretty difficult to letgo of the gear lever ...

All said and done, I feel the safe bet is to have both hands on the wheel with a decent grip. Especially in our kind of roads where a pothole could spring up all of a sudden. More so, during hi-speed runs on highways.

You are right about wrong habits. Even though I am driving for 20 odd years, it is only since the last 5 years or so that I could drive with footwear on. Had learnt driving without footwear, courtesy my Dad's driver, who used to drive that way and finally it became practice and became impossible to drive with shoes on. While going to work, I would get into car, remove shoes and socks, drive to work, put them back on. Repeat in the evening drive back home. It became very irritating and finally I resolved that I will change this habit. Was tough initially as I had this feeling that with shoes on, I would not be able to use the brake/accelerator properly in critical situations. Persevered for a few days and finally overcame the problem.

I still know guys at work, who have the same problem and remove shoes while driving to work.

Originally Posted by ballkey

Another thing is people give you weird looks when you're all strapped up, both hands on the wheel, and sit erect without stooping. Even your close friends and relatives think you're a dork :P

You are worried about others wierd looks, when you are doing the right thing (using seat belts, holding the steering as it should be and keeping good posture) ?? I would say, disregard those looks.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by ballkey

While I generally agree with your statement, it is possible that a few of us have learnt pretty uncomfortable driving habits, which could be rectified. For example, I started driving with both hands now, and can already feel the reduction in effort. Though it's pretty difficult to letgo of the gear lever ...

I agree with you, but you mistook my statement. I was trying to say that one can't say this is the right way, there are many right ways when it comes steering position, each will have to find their best way.

Originally Posted by ballkey

Another thing is people give you weird looks when you're all strapped up, both hands on the wheel, and sit erect without stooping. Even your close friends and relatives think you're a dork :P

That used to happen to me in 1995-96 when I first started driving in India after 2 year stint in USA. But now I can turn that back to them with a "What do you know...". Heh, heh, there are certain advantages to growing old.