how to steer a car Page 56

Steering a car is less biceps and more ballet: sit close enough for a slight bend in your elbows and hold the wheel at 9-and-3 with thumbs resting on the rim, not speared into the spokes. Look where you want to go (your hands follow your eyes), keep your grip light, and feed in smooth inputs rather than frantic sawing. For bigger turns, use the push–pull method so the wheel glides through your hands—no palming it like a dodgy nightclub door, and avoid wild arm-crossing in airbag-equipped cars. Unwind the wheel as you exit a corner and only squeeze the throttle properly once it’s straightening. In the wet or on gravel, slow everything down and be extra silky with your hands. Practise in an empty car park and your tyres, passengers, and dignity will all last longer.