Probably a dumb post
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
Probably a dumb post
Serious question though. I currently own 2 06 c6 convertibles. I notice one of the upgrades to the 07, and now 08 models is the steering wheel radio control and such.
Heres my question. Do most people drive with the left hand on the wheel or the right?
In all my years of driving, and from what Ive seen around, look around next time while driving, if you dont do the recommended 2 hands at 10 and 2, most people only have the left hand on the wheel. My hummer and my denali both have most of the controls heavily used on the left for this exact reason.
Did GM do any homework on this issue or am I seeing and feeling things? I could be wrong also on thier option.
Question 2. Do you have the choice to select a side for the controls?
Im serious looking to get an 08, just cause I do one every other year in intervals. But the pics Ive seen not only has them on the right, but only on the right.
Heres my question. Do most people drive with the left hand on the wheel or the right?
In all my years of driving, and from what Ive seen around, look around next time while driving, if you dont do the recommended 2 hands at 10 and 2, most people only have the left hand on the wheel. My hummer and my denali both have most of the controls heavily used on the left for this exact reason.
Did GM do any homework on this issue or am I seeing and feeling things? I could be wrong also on thier option.
Question 2. Do you have the choice to select a side for the controls?
Im serious looking to get an 08, just cause I do one every other year in intervals. But the pics Ive seen not only has them on the right, but only on the right.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 679
Likes: 5
From: Caught between the moon and New York City TX
I have an 06 A6 vert w/o the radio buttons on the steering wheel and an 07 MN6 coupe with the radio buttons. To tell you the truth, I don't even know if those steering wheel radio button work in my coupe. I've never used them. When I'm driving my stick shift car, the left hand stays on the wheel while my right hand controls the shifter. The radio ***** are closer to my right hand than the steering wheel buttons are. 
It's just my opinion. but the radio buttons on the steering wheel are a waste of time. If I have to have buttons on the steering wheel, I'd rather have cruise control buttons...or maybe, better yet, bluetooth buttons for my cellphone. Oh, that's right...bluetooth isn't available in a Vette.
It's just my opinion. but the radio buttons on the steering wheel are a waste of time. If I have to have buttons on the steering wheel, I'd rather have cruise control buttons...or maybe, better yet, bluetooth buttons for my cellphone. Oh, that's right...bluetooth isn't available in a Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 22,136
Likes: 23
From: In the woods looking for my thrown putter.
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
I ALWAYS drive with just my left hand on the wheel. Too many years of adjusting radio controls and A/C with the right. Besides.......how could I dial my cell phone if my right hand was on the wheel?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 185
From: Sunnyvale CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
When I drive with one hand, it is my left, with my left arm on the arm rest. Owners who have a manual tranny have complained. I don't know what GM was thinking. The left side would make more sense because drivers need to shift with their right hand.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Guess I m the odd person here. I learned to drive while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Steering wheels were on the right (wrong!) side of the vehicle. I used my left hand for handling radio, A/C and gear shift.
My next assignment was in the UK, same situation. Even though I am in the states now, I still steer with my right hand. I probably always will.
My next assignment was in the UK, same situation. Even though I am in the states now, I still steer with my right hand. I probably always will.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: Skippack PA
What is surprising is that I've noticed there is no mute button. Every other car with radio controls on steering wheel I've seen has a mute button. It really does seem like they weren't thinking this out too much.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 63
From: new ulm mn
I have an 07 with the steering wheel controls. To be honest, the controls in the vette are not that user friendly. The button to lower the volume is not easy to get to. The steering wheel controls in my trans am are much more user friendly and it has a mute which is very handy if the cell phone rings, etc.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Saint Jacob (outside Saint Louis) IL
It's funny you mention this. I bought a sligtly used 06 3LT, and my only real pieve was the lack of controls on the wheel. I'm a channel hopper. I like XM, but having to reach up to change channels is a pain. It would not matter where the dials are left or right, I would just adapt. As to which hand, I usally ride with left, but change as the mood hits. If I'm going to punch it, I make sure its two hands on. Thats my 2cw.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Do most people drive with the left hand on the wheel or the right? MOST PEOPLE ARE RIGHT HANDED, THUS THE CONTROLS ON THE RIGHT.
Do you have the choice to select a side for the controls? NO
Do you have the choice to select a side for the controls? NO
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,520
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I am so glad that I don't have controls on the wheel.
Every different car has different placement of buttons and controls, and my simple brain can never remember the pattern from car to car. I always have to make an effort to remember each and every time I use the car, or I have to just look down at the buttons.
This goes for cruise control and radio controls.
But radios themselves are generally similar enough, that I quickly learn to reach over to it and make the necessary changes or adjustments quickly and easily. Almost brainless, but efficient.
My wife's Jag, I still can't intuit the wheel mounted cruise and radio buttons after 4 years.
My '78 Ford mini motorhome, I couldn't get the wheel mounted cruise button right even after 12 years.
But I love the old GM cruise, always right where you want it, same buttons and location in every GM vehicle I've owned since the late '70's. Brainless, but still useful.
Maybe like me.
Every different car has different placement of buttons and controls, and my simple brain can never remember the pattern from car to car. I always have to make an effort to remember each and every time I use the car, or I have to just look down at the buttons.
This goes for cruise control and radio controls.
But radios themselves are generally similar enough, that I quickly learn to reach over to it and make the necessary changes or adjustments quickly and easily. Almost brainless, but efficient.
My wife's Jag, I still can't intuit the wheel mounted cruise and radio buttons after 4 years.
My '78 Ford mini motorhome, I couldn't get the wheel mounted cruise button right even after 12 years.
But I love the old GM cruise, always right where you want it, same buttons and location in every GM vehicle I've owned since the late '70's. Brainless, but still useful.
Maybe like me.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2
My last car had steering wheel audio controls on the left and cruise controls on the right, the way it's meant to be. But funny if you look at other GM cars with this same steering wheel they will be setup that way and not like the Vette. No idea why they did the Vette this way.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm right-handed but my left hand is primary on the steering wheel. I shift gears with the right hand as well as control the radio/CD player/etc. I don't play the radio all that much anyway (excepting on longer drives) so I don't have any desire to have the radio control on the steering wheel....they're fine where they are.
In a recent session on a road course, the instructor was coaching me to steer with both hands. I get used to in-town driving with constant shifting so I tend to leave my hand on or near the gear shift. I have to remember when not shifting...both hands on the wheel.
In a recent session on a road course, the instructor was coaching me to steer with both hands. I get used to in-town driving with constant shifting so I tend to leave my hand on or near the gear shift. I have to remember when not shifting...both hands on the wheel.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I like the audio controls on the right side of the steering wheel...wouldn't want it any other way. I find it very inconvenient to drive my truck or wife's car without the steering wheel controls.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Georgia
I have an A6 so it wouldn't matter to me, I don't really miss them from my previous vehicle either. I switch hands, mostly right when turning etc. but cruise with either or both if necessary. If memory serves me correctly, they left what would have been the most convenient button off. That would be the voice command button.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
I thougt the steering wheel buttons would be convenient and helpful. But it turns out I never use them. It's easier to just use the regular radio buttons. Especially since I have a 6 speed and my right hand is on the shifter 4 inches from the radio anyway.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 26,900
Likes: 2
From: Bann Camp & N.Y.C.
St. Jude Donor '08
C6 General at it's finest no actually you do have a valid question, silly/over looked, but valid!
I'm sure the designers and engineers got together and said, well, we don't want customers shifting and changing radio stations, we'll put it on the right side
OR
Yo Harry, whatcha got left in the parts bin
I am 100% sure that the GM/Corvette team is here on the forum and is listening/getting new ideas on improvements from us.
we wanted 2- cup holders, we got 'em
we wanted radio controls, we got 'em
we wanted Dave Hill put in retirement for being old fashion, we got 'em
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Channel selection is secondary to vehicular control.
By putting the controls on the shifter side, at least one hand (the left) will be FIRMLY on the wheel at all times, not messing with audio controls while the right hand shifts, scratches your nuts, etc.
The wheel mounted controls don't do it for me....but they chose the correct side.
By putting the controls on the shifter side, at least one hand (the left) will be FIRMLY on the wheel at all times, not messing with audio controls while the right hand shifts, scratches your nuts, etc.
The wheel mounted controls don't do it for me....but they chose the correct side.
Last edited by ProfMoriarty; Apr 28, 2007 at 10:22 AM.