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?

Wheel grip. I've read several driving books that suggest 9 and 3 with through the hand, not over the hand, turning.

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.

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. :)

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')

9 and 3 is the method taught at most performance driving schools.

One hand lightly at 6. I need the other hand for my cell phone. :)

I drive with my knees so I have both hands free.

Good idea - you can drink your coffee whille you chat on the phone, or you can text two-handed.

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

My drivers ed teacher insisted on 10-2 but that was before the auto was invented. Right,, DANGER ????? Twice a day ???

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