No jokes here, but just wondering everyone's thoughts are on this. I feel most comfortable holding the steering wheel at around 11 o'clock on mountain roads.

Hands at 9 and 3. Right hand leaves the wheel long enough to shift, then immediately returns to the wheel - never steer one-handed with the other resting on the shifter.

Originally posted by eccles
Hands at 9 and 3. Right hand leaves the wheel long enough to shift, then immediately returns to the wheel - never steer one-handed with the other resting on the shifter.

thats right
it is the very correct wayand benifit in many ways(anti fatique, responsive and shifter last longer.

I like to rest my hands behind my head.. but only when using the cruise control

Originally posted by eccles
Hands at 9 and 3. Right hand leaves the wheel long enough to shift, then immediately returns to the wheel - never steer one-handed with the other resting on the shifter.

Exactly! And it just happens to be the most comfortable spot on the steering wheel.

When you are driving hard, think of the shifter as a hot potato, you want your hands on it for as little time as possible.

Interesting. Never thought of shifting/steering that way. I'm surprised I haven't taken a detour off the side of a mountain. I will give it a try the next time I come a cross some S turns.

Concur with eccles -- both hands... though I have found I can set the cruise control and steeer with my knees, on occasion...:D

You guys are perfect for a driving school... i drive with both hands on IF i'm on a twisted area, on the HW at 70 mph on the cruise? my left is on and my right is ... wherever i feel like it.

"This is my rifle, this is my gun! This one's for fighting, this one's for fun!"

Just kidding, left hand at 9, right at three, with brief trips to the shifter.

People say that the most wear and tear on a MT is when someone drives their car with the hand resting on the gear shift.

I don't know if this is true or not, but kinda makes sense....

Not sure if additional wear and tear can result from resting your hand on the shifter, but even the slightest resting of your left foot on the clutch pedal can produce premature wear and tear on the clutch...

"This is my rifle, this is my gun! This one's for fighting, this one's for fun!"

GOOD ONE

Originally posted by SpacerX
Not sure if additional wear and tear can result from resting your hand on the shifter

Yes, it can - force on the shifter can result in pre-load on bearings or shift forks.

I'm with eccles - the shifter is only for shifting. Unless you are in the act of changing gears, your hand belongs on the wheel. I can't believe people who are writing that their shift knob is wearing out! That makes it obvious what they're doing...

If you've never tried keeping both hands on the wheel while driving twisties, you really should - much better control. Try attending an autocross and doing your one hand at 11 0'clock and one hand resting on the shifter style - you will be very embarrassed at first, and then you'll realise how much better you control the car with two hands on the wheel!

Regards,
Gordon

Left hand at 9 (so i can control the radio) right hand at 2 once im in 3rd gear

9 and 3 works for me and my wife.

Use the opposite arm to make the turn and the other to balance. For example, you use your right arm to make left turn.

I generally do not shift while turning unless it is a 1-2 shift at the stop light. Get into the right gear before entering a turn and upshift after exiting a turn. You need both arms to maintain a precise path through the turn.