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Old 02-29-2012, 03:39 AM   #1
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Steering wheel bulges

Something I have always wondered about is the purpose of the bulges in our steering wheels at 10 and 2 o'clock.

Is Porsche encouraging us to hold the wheel on the bulges? 10 and 2 o'clock seems too high to me. Or are we supposed to hold the wheel at 9 and 3, and the bulges serve to have something for our thumbs to push against?

Personally, I usually grip the wheel at 8 and 4, palms-up, feeding the wheel from one hand to the other. I adopted this style after reading about Ferrari and Lamborghini test drivers that hold the wheel that way.

What do others think about the purpose of the bulges?

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Old 02-29-2012, 04:22 AM   #2
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Wheel grip. I've read several driving books that suggest 9 and 3 with through the hand, not over the hand, turning.
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Old 02-29-2012, 04:33 AM   #3
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My wheel bulges are at 9 and 3. Maybe Auf los bulges are at 10 and 2 because he's in the eastern time zone, and I'm in the central?
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Old 02-29-2012, 05:27 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Flavor 987S View Post
My wheel bulges are at 9 and 3. Maybe Auf los bulges are at 10 and 2 because he's in the eastern time zone, and I'm in the central?
Don't know if that is it. I am in the Eastern time zone and mine are there all the time. No matter what time my DIGITAL clock says they are still on the wheel.
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Old 02-29-2012, 05:45 AM   #5
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I think this is automotive navel gazing at its finest. My Mother used to say 1O to 2 but that was 40 years ago. I would say whatever feels comfortable. Now you have got me going to the garage to check out the bumps.
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Old 02-29-2012, 06:53 AM   #6
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Yeah, 10 and 2 was "pre-airbag" logic -- 9 and 3 keeps your hands & arms out from between the airbag and your face. (at least that's what I've heard as the logic for the changing 'standard')
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Old 02-29-2012, 09:05 AM   #7
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9 and 3 is the method taught at most performance driving schools.
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Old 02-29-2012, 11:24 AM   #8
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One hand lightly at 6. I need the other hand for my cell phone.
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Old 02-29-2012, 12:02 PM   #9
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I drive with my knees so I have both hands free.
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Old 02-29-2012, 01:13 PM   #10
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Good idea - you can drink your coffee whille you chat on the phone, or you can text two-handed.
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Old 02-29-2012, 01:33 PM   #11
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Seems to me they're for reference... If you're turning through corners and shuffling the wheel a lot the bumps help you know when your hands are back on center. To me it's sort of a subconscious thing. Feel the bumps and the brain is happy with the hands at center... Just a thought
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Old 02-29-2012, 02:20 PM   #12
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My drivers ed teacher insisted on 10-2 but that was before the auto was invented. Right,, DANGER ????? Twice a day ???
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:19 PM   #13
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Nobody has any hard info as to what the bulges might be for? I don't think Porsche necessarily "invented" the bulges...I've seen them on too many wheels over the years. But I thought maybe they were mentioned in some Porsche literature that someone may have read...or something...
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Old 03-01-2012, 03:50 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auf los! View Post
Nobody has any hard info as to what the bulges might be for? I don't think Porsche necessarily "invented" the bulges...I've seen them on too many wheels over the years. But I thought maybe they were mentioned in some Porsche literature that someone may have read...or something...
I believe they are for better grip when you are at speed and cornering hard, your hand won't slip down over the bump thus losing grip. I think that is why they are also fatter than, say, '60s and '70s wheels or going back further to those large diameter thin wheels in Buicks and such.

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