look at thew steering wheel. It positioned for "10 & 2" hand position.

Safety experts all agree that hands should now be at "9 & 3" to avoid an airbag injury.


Now I know we all have our own "hand on the top" or "hand on the bottom" or "steer with the knees" but I would think that the engineers would try to make an easy safety change (to earn brownie points with the left-wing nitwits).

 

i do have to admit the current body style had to grow on me, but, i dont think fords avelanch,ooops i mean their 2004 f-150 is gonna be a hard 1 to swallow for a while. and yes i will wait to see one in person till i finally decide but it doesnt look good

 

IMO, the 10 and 2 position is very comfortable as well as easy to manipulate the steering wheel. I think the 9 and 3 position is really uncomfortable. You have to grip the wheel more firmly to hold that position. Over distances more than 30 min., the 9 and 3 starts to wear on your forearms.
The new steering wheel allows your hands to REST at a position inbetween the 9 and 3 and the 10 and 2 positions. I'm sure I'm going to love it. Not to mention the fact the audio controls are now on the steering wheel.

 

the truth is, I never use 10&2 or 9&3. My point is, safety advocates are saying that 9&3 should be used were an airbag is present, which it is here. With Ford in hot water over Van rollovers, bad tires, exploding fuel tanks etc, this is just more ammunition for the critics.

 

I'd have to put my hands on it in person. From the picture it sorta reminds me of the steering wheel on my Lightning which is also 4-spoke (although the spokes are smaller on the Lightning's wheel). My thumbs rest on the spokes with the rest of the hand below, giving approximately a 9:00 and 3:00 grip. Maybe the new F150 wheel will fit approximately the same.

grishfish: Try tilting the wheel so when you are holding it comfortably your elbow is on the armrest. This worked for me for long distances.

J-150: you are right about 2:00/10:00 being out of favour; even the Bondurant instructors warn about the dangers of that position with the airbag, and what would happen if your hand or forearm is inbetween the airbag and your head if it goes off.

 

We shouldn't have to worry about having a bomb installed in our steering wheels to begin with. Air bags should be offered as an option but not forced down our throats.

The elimination of mandatory airbags would save over $1000. per vehicle, if somebody wants them thats fine with me just quit forcing me to spend that kind of money on something I do not want.

The right hand just left of midnight is most comfortable for me when driving with one hand. Second is right hand at approx 4 o clock with my elbow on armrest. Nearly 1 million miles and no accidents should let me put my hands where I want to.

 

they should make the steering wheel 4 spoke. that way you can do 10 and 2 if you want, or 9 and 3. the 2 big spokes really limits your options.
i know i wish my 00HD had the 01 HD style steering wheel with the 4 spokes rather than 2