What Is “Palming” the Steering Wheel?

After going on and on about proper driving position and related topics, I have to admit that I used to steer by palming the wheel quite often. So, what exactly is palming the steering wheel?

Palming is a steering technique in which the driver turns the wheel with the hand held palm-up. It is also known as “backhand steering.” It was used in the days before power steering, when turning the wheel required considerable effort.

Quoted from Wikipedia’s “Palming the Steering Wheel” entry

Steering used to be heavy, so it’s no wonder that many drivers palmed the wheel. Thinking back, both my parents used this technique when turning at intersections. It certainly makes the wheel easy to turn, and as a kid, I even thought it looked cool—like the kind of move an experienced driver would make.

What finally made me stop palming the wheel was a return visit to driving school to remove the automatic-transmission restriction on my license.

When I turned at an intersection, I fell into my usual habit and palmed the wheel. The examiner told me:

“This is a test to remove the automatic-transmission restriction, so I won’t deduct points for palming the wheel. But this is dangerous driving, and you may not be able to react in time. You should definitely correct this habit going forward.”

The examiner’s calm, matter-of-fact delivery made the warning feel all too real—and suddenly, I was scared. I haven’t palmed the wheel since. So why is this steering technique dangerous?

Why Is Palming the Steering Wheel Dangerous?

There seem to be three main reasons.

① It can prevent you from steering quickly in an emergency

When nothing unexpected happens, it may not seem like a problem. But if someone suddenly steps into the road or something else goes wrong, you may not be able to quickly turn the wheel the other way. (With a Porsche, though, the recommendation in an emergency is not to swerve, but to press the brake pedal firmly and bring the car to a stop. Porsche brakes are highly effective, and stopping is said to be the safer, more reliable response.)

② An airbag deploying while you’re palming the wheel can cause serious injury

If the airbag deploys while your arms are crossed in front of your chest, your arms could be driven into your chest. An airbag designed to protect you could instead become a source of serious injury.

Wikipedia also notes:

Automakers warn that palming the wheel can delay steering inputs and increase the risk of serious injury if an airbag deploys while the driver is turning the wheel with a hand held palm-up.

③ It increases the risk of clipping the inside of a turn

Palming the wheel makes it easy to turn, but that also makes it easy to turn too far. Larger vehicles such as the Panamera need to take a wider line to account for their turning circle. With a palming grip, oversteering can increase the risk of mounting the curb or scraping an inside tire or wheel.

That makes sense…

You may not be able to steer properly in an emergency, you could suffer serious injuries, you might damage your car’s precious tires or wheels, and you won’t get to enjoy the car’s handling as it was designed to be enjoyed.

Knowing these risks, there’s simply no benefit to palming the wheel. When I got my license at 18, I’m sure the examiner said something similar—but there are many things we don’t truly understand until we experience them ourselves or get older.

Safe driving always comes first.