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Where Should You Grip a Steering Wheel?

Columnist Jonathan Welsh answers readers' questions about automobiles

Q: When I took driver's education in the early 1960s, I was told the proper position for my hands on the wheel was at 10 and 2. The steering wheel on my new Equinox would seem to support this, as it has wider grips at those positions. But a friend who manages an emergency room told me that broken hands are a common airbag injury and we should really be holding the wheel on its bottom half. Is there science to support either view?

A: Our delicate hands are vulnerable in crashes whether the airbags deploy or not. And while holding the bottom part of the steering wheel might protect them somewhat (because of where the bag pops out from), you have to consider how doing so might compromise control. You are better able to steer quickly and precisely with your hands at 10 and 2, giving you a better chance of avoiding crashes.

Q: I own a 1986 Honda Civic wagon with 79,000 miles on the odometer. It's a gem of an all-purpose car for the mountains with its four-wheel drive and lots of capacity for its size. But it is 24 years old. Which of the little boxes would you recommend as a replacement?

A: The Suzuki SX4 comes to mind, as does the Chevrolet Equinox if you don't mind something a little bigger. Both have four-wheel drive. The Honda Fit and Hyundai Elantra Touring top my list of roomy compact cars with lots of cargo space. They lack all-wheel drive but should perform well in slippery conditions with the right tires.

Q: I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee—in-line six cylinder—that runs great but loves gas. If I had two of the cylinders disabled would I increase the miles per gallon?

A: You're better off having your mechanic give the jeep a good tune-up so all six cylinders are running as efficiently as possible. Don't expect miracles, because your Jeep's engine is a famously thirsty design.

I'm not a big believer in cylinder deactivation. It didn't work well for Cadillac 30 years ago when it experimented with the procedure on 1981 models, including the Fleetwood, Eldorado and Seville. I don't think today's more sophisticated version of cylinder deactivation makes much of a difference in fuel economy. Besides, one of my friends has a four-cylinder Jeep that also gets horrible fuel economy, so the number of cylinders may not mean much in your case.

Q: We love our 2004 Honda Pilot EXL except for the really excessive road noise transmitted to the cabin when driving on textured pavement at highway speeds. It is so bad we may not buy another one. Do you think application of an after-market undercoating would quiet a new model which is reportedly as noisy as ours? Most Hondas/Acuras generate more road noise than competing models from other manufacturers. Why is that?

A: I don't think undercoating is the answer, but you may want to have the suspension checked for wear and proper alignment. New tires might also help. Still, Hondas tend to transmit more mechanical and road noise to the cabin. Adding a layer of sound-deadening insulation to the hood and firewall might help block engine sounds, but the road noise is probably related to the tires or suspension.

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