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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  02-29-2012, 05:27 AM | #4 |  
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	Quote: 
	
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					Originally Posted by Flavor 987S  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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		|  02-29-2012, 05:45 AM | #5 |  
	| recycledsixtie 
				 
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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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  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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		|  03-01-2012, 03:50 PM | #14 |  
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	Quote: 
	
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					Originally Posted by Auf los!  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.
 
  AKL
		 
 
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