9 and 3 vs. 10 and 2: What Today’s Safety Guidance Says About Steering Wheel Grip

The recommended hand position for most modern cars is 9 and 3 on the steering wheel; 10 and 2 is considered outdated because of airbag-related injury risks and reduced control. Driving instructors, safety agencies, and many state DMVs now teach 9 and 3 (with 8 and 4 as an acceptable alternative for relaxed cruising) due to better leverage, stability, and compatibility with airbags and driver-assistance features.

Why the Guidance Changed

For decades, 10 and 2 was the default advice, based on older vehicles without airbags and with heavier steering. As airbags became standard and steering systems evolved, safety bodies updated guidance. When an airbag deploys, hands positioned high on the rim (10 and 2) are more likely to be thrown into the face, neck, or windshield. At 9 and 3—or slightly lower at 8 and 4—drivers maintain a clear airbag path, a wider range of motion without overreaching, and more precise control for sudden maneuvers.

What Most Safety Authorities Recommend Today

Organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), AAA driver education programs, and many state driver handbooks endorse 9 and 3 as the primary grip, citing airbag clearance and vehicle control. A lower 8 and 4 grip is also acceptable for long, steady highway driving to reduce fatigue, provided you maintain readiness to steer decisively. The older 10 and 2 position is generally discouraged in airbag-equipped vehicles, though it may still be used in classic cars without airbags.

Key Advantages of 9 and 3

The following points explain how a 9 and 3 grip improves safety, control, and comfort in everyday driving and emergencies:

• Airbag clearance: Lowers the risk of wrist, hand, and facial injuries if the airbag deploys.
• Greater steering range: Allows large steering inputs without immediately resorting to hand-over-hand, aiding quick lane changes and evasive moves.
• Balanced leverage: Places hands opposite each other for symmetrical, precise inputs and better vehicle stability.
• Better access to controls: Keeps fingers close to turn signals, wipers, and wheel-mounted buttons without compromising grip.
• Improved lane-keeping: Enhances fine corrections at speed, reducing “twitchy” inputs.
• Reduced fatigue: Promotes a neutral shoulder and wrist posture for long drives.

Taken together, these benefits explain why 9 and 3 has become the modern default for both routine and emergency driving tasks.

When 8 and 4 Makes Sense

Some drivers and instructors accept 8 and 4 during steady, high-speed cruising to reduce shoulder tension, especially in vehicles with sensitive steering or for taller drivers. You should still be ready to move your hands back to 9 and 3 for tight turns, complex traffic, or poor road conditions.

How to Execute Proper Steering Technique

Hand placement works best when paired with a correct seating position and a steering method that preserves airbag clearance and control.

Set Up Your Driving Position Correctly

The steps below help you position your body and wheel for a safe, effective 9 and 3 grip:

1. Seat distance: Sit so you can rest your wrists on the top of the wheel with shoulders against the seatback, producing a slight arm bend (roughly 120–150 degrees).
2. Wheel height: Adjust so the rim doesn’t block the gauges; the wheel hub should aim at your chest, not your face.
3. Wheel reach and airbag space: Maintain at least about 10 inches (25 cm) from your chest to the airbag cover, per common safety guidance.
4. Hand placement: Rest hands at 9 and 3 with thumbs on the spokes or lightly along the rim—avoid hooking thumbs inside the wheel.
5. Finalize mirrors and seatback: Set mirrors to minimize blind spots and keep the seatback fairly upright for better control.

With this setup, you gain comfort, clear sightlines, and room for the airbag to deploy safely while maximizing steering precision.

Turning Methods to Pair With 9 and 3

These techniques help you steer effectively while preserving airbag clearance and control:

• Hand-to-hand (push-pull) steering: For most turns, one hand pushes the wheel up while the other pulls it down, and your hands do not cross over the airbag zone.
• Hand-over-hand: Acceptable at very low speeds (parking lots, tight U-turns) or during an urgent evasive maneuver; promptly return to 9 and 3 afterward.
• Avoid one-handed “palming” or 12 o’clock driving: These habits reduce control and can increase injury risk in a crash.

Using push-pull for routine turns and reserving hand-over-hand for tight, slow maneuvers strikes a practical balance between safety and responsiveness.

Exceptions and Special Cases

In classic cars without airbags, 10 and 2 may still be acceptable. Performance driving on closed courses generally favors a firm 9 and 3 with minimal hand shuffling for fast, precise inputs. Off-roaders may temporarily adjust grips to manage terrain but typically return to 9 and 3 on-road. In large trucks or buses with different wheel sizes and steering ratios, follow the vehicle-specific guidance. Always defer to your local driver handbook and your owner’s manual.

Bottom Line

Use 9 and 3 as your default grip in modern, airbag-equipped vehicles. Shift to 8 and 4 for relaxed highway cruising if comfortable, and avoid 10 and 2 except in vehicles without airbags. Pair this with proper seating, adequate airbag distance, and push-pull steering for most turns. The result is better control, less fatigue, and improved safety in everyday driving.

Summary

Today’s consensus is clear: 9 and 3 is the safest, most effective steering wheel position for modern cars, with 8 and 4 as a secondary option for steady cruising. The older 10 and 2 guidance persists mainly for vehicles without airbags. Set your seat and wheel correctly, keep thumbs relaxed on the spokes, use push-pull for routine turns, and reserve hand-over-hand for low-speed or urgent situations.

Do you put your hands at 10 and 2 or 9 and 3?

Also have controls in the steering wheel. Which can be accessed easily from this position. Again without your hands leaving the wheel another reason to not drive at 10 and two has been shown.

Why 10 and 2 and not 9 and 3?

One of the biggest reasons is airbag safety. When an airbag deploys, it comes out fast and forcefully, often at speeds of 200 miles per hour. With your hands at the 10 and 2 position, your arms are more likely to be thrown into your face or chest when the airbag deploys. This can lead to serious injuries.

Is it best to grip the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o’clock?

No, your hands should not be at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions; the 9 and 3 o’clock positions are now recommended for safer airbag deployment and better vehicle control, a significant change from previous advice. Holding hands at 10 and 2 could lead to injuries like broken bones or amputations when an airbag deploys, as it positions your hands in the airbag’s path. The 9 and 3 position, or even 8 and 4 for some turning methods, provides better leverage and reduces the risk of injury. 
Why the recommendation changed 

• Airbag Technology: Opens in new tabThe shift from 10 and 2 to 9 and 3 (or even 8 and 4) was due to the widespread use of airbags in vehicles. At the 10 and 2 position, hands and arms are directly in the path of a rapidly deploying airbag.
• Injury Risk: Opens in new tabDuring an airbag deployment at over 200 miles per hour, keeping hands at 10 and 2 can cause serious injuries, including cuts, bruises, broken bones, and even amputations.

The new recommendations

• 9 and 3 o’clock: Opens in new tabThis position is widely recommended by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a stable and safe grip. 
• Push/Pull/Slide Method (8 and 4 o’clock): Opens in new tabFor a more efficient and safer turning technique, some experts suggest using the 8 and 4 position. This method allows you to push the wheel up with one hand and pull it down with the other, preventing your arms from crossing. 

Benefits of the new positions

• Reduced Injury: The primary benefit is keeping hands clear of the airbag’s deployment zone. 
• Better Control: The 9 and 3 position provides better leverage and control when making turns. 
• Improved Comfort: For many drivers, this position is more comfortable, especially for longer drives. 
• Efficient Turning: The 8 and 4 position, used with the push/pull method, makes steering more efficient and prevents crossing arms. 

Is 10/2 or 9/3 better?

According to driving safety experts, 9 and 3 is the superior steering wheel position for several reasons: Airbag Safety: If an airbag deploys while your hands are positioned at 10 and 2, they can be violently thrown into your face, potentially causing broken fingers, hands, or even facial injuries.