Seat, mirrors and steering wheel

By the end of this topic you can

• You can adjust your seat so you reach the pedals and see over the wheel.
• You can set the steering wheel and keep a safe distance from the air bag.
• You can adjust inside and outside mirrors to reduce blind spots.
• You can hold the wheel in a safe, balanced hand position.

What you need to know and understand

• You should be able to press the brake fully with a slight bend in your knee.
• NHTSA advises sitting about 10 inches or more from the steering wheel air bag cover, measured from your breastbone.
• Set the head restraint so its top is at least as high as the tops of your ears, as the Pennsylvania manual describes.
• Hold the wheel at about 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock, as the California handbook describes.
• Mirrors never show everything: always turn your head to check blind spots before changing lanes.
• Wear your seat belt with the lap belt low across your hips and the shoulder belt across your chest, not under your arm.

Setting up in five steps

1. Seat: move it so you can press the brake fully with a slight knee bend and your back against the seat.
2. Seat back: upright enough that your wrists can rest on top of the wheel with shoulders touching the seat.
3. Head restraint: raise it so the top is at least as high as the tops of your ears.
4. Steering wheel: tilt it so the air bag points at your chest, not your face, and you can see the gauges.
5. Mirrors and belt: set the inside mirror to frame the rear window, set side mirrors, then buckle up.

Getting the side mirrors right

Set each side mirror so you can just see the edge of your own car, with most of the mirror showing the lane beside you. Some drivers tilt them further out to shrink blind spots. Either way, a shoulder check before moving sideways is still essential, as cyclists and motorcycles can disappear from view.

Where your hands go

With hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4, your arms stay clear of the air bag and you can steer smoothly. Keep thumbs along the rim, not hooked inside, and avoid steering with one hand or with your palm. One hand is acceptable only briefly, for example to use a control or when looking back while reversing.

Common mistakes

• Sitting too close to the wheel, which puts you in the air bag's path.
• Setting mirrors after you start moving.
• Relying on mirrors without a shoulder check.
• Gripping the wheel at the top with both hands.

Test yourself: Seat, mirrors and steering wheel

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Steering Wheel Hand Position and Seat Setup for US Learners