Steering
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The wheel in front of the driver is the steering wheel. This usually operates the front wheels and is used to change the direction of the car.
Both hands should be kept on the wheel at all times unless one hand is needed to operate another control such as the gear lever. When driving in a straight line the wheel should be held in the ‘ten to two’ position. To do this, imagine the steering wheel as a clock face. Place the left hand on the steering wheel where the number 10 would be and the right hand on the wheel where the 2 would be.
The 'ten to two' steering position
If your seat is correctly adjusted, your elbows should be slightly bent when holding the steering wheel in the ten to two position.
When turning the wheel, try not to cross your arms. Use the push/pull method. When turning the vehicle left, pull the wheel down with your left hand and push up with your right. When turning right, pull the wheel down with your right and push up with your left.
'Push/pull' steering.
Push/pull steering can be difficult to master to begin with, but it is well worth perservering as it gives you good control. At a later lesson, find a quiet place and practice push/pull steering with the car moving.
