Sitting close to the wheel: More dangerous?
04-07-2007, 08:37 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Posts: 72
Sitting close to the wheel: More dangerous?
Hey all,
I'm not the tallest person. I'm 5'7 and my height's balanced pretty evenly between my upper torso and legs (much to the detriment of my amateur Muai Thai career!). I'm also a private and aspiring commercial pilot and I'm used to sitting real close to the action. As a result, I tend to sit very close to the wheel, close enough that I can steer the car with my knees.
Someone who was riding with me once said this was incredibly dangerous. However, if I sit much farther back I have to really stretch to push in the clutch. Is it more dangerous (especially in these next-generation Mustangs) to sit close to the wheel, or does it not really matter?
I'm not the tallest person. I'm 5'7 and my height's balanced pretty evenly between my upper torso and legs (much to the detriment of my amateur Muai Thai career!). I'm also a private and aspiring commercial pilot and I'm used to sitting real close to the action. As a result, I tend to sit very close to the wheel, close enough that I can steer the car with my knees.
Someone who was riding with me once said this was incredibly dangerous. However, if I sit much farther back I have to really stretch to push in the clutch. Is it more dangerous (especially in these next-generation Mustangs) to sit close to the wheel, or does it not really matter?
04-07-2007, 09:10 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Posts: 72
RE: Sitting close to the wheel: More dangerous?
I guess it's just me. I like to sit very close and cramped. It makes me feel more in-tune with the car. I feel what it's doing when I'm right up close. When I sit far back and reclined like that I feel like I'm riding in the back seat and out of control of the situation.
04-07-2007, 09:56 PM
#7
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 2,173
RE: Sitting close to the wheel: More dangerous?
ORIGINAL: JochenHeiden
I guess it's just me. I like to sit very close and cramped. It makes me feel more in-tune with the car. I feel what it's doing when I'm right up close. When I sit far back and reclined like that I feel like I'm riding in the back seat and out of control of the situation.
I guess it's just me. I like to sit very close and cramped. It makes me feel more in-tune with the car. I feel what it's doing when I'm right up close. When I sit far back and reclined like that I feel like I'm riding in the back seat and out of control of the situation.
I sit very close too.
04-08-2007, 04:32 PM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Maui, Baby!
Posts: 1,050
RE: Sitting close to the wheel: More dangerous?
Sit withyour chest at least 10 inches away from the center of the steering wheel.Many of the newer airbags take into account seating position and deploy with less force if an occupant is sitting close.
