Why are American Cars so BIG?

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

yeah, most american cars even though they're so big dont offer any more headroom then for example a toyota corolla ...

in fact in most of the cars i've been you actually get LESS headroom compared to the foreign alternatives, although it must be said you do get considerably more legroom, which i dont need since im only 5'10

[jcp123]

Too bad about the 'headroom'. I like hat room for when I wear my Fedora or Derby.

Luckily, at 5'8" I have plenty of hat room in the Stangs, even in the low-slung Mach 1.

[DodgeNitroBIRM]

I just thought about leg room, I can't hold my steering wheel at 5-and-7 (I'm referring to the steering wheel like a clock for those who can't tell) like most driving schools recommend. My knuckles hit my kneecaps, so I do the old style 2-and-10 or a 3-and-9. Kind of annoying because I found that 5-and-7 were quite comfortable while driving for a long time, I could do it in the Ranger, but since I've gotten my 200SX, I can't anymore.

[charged]

Why do they teach steering position at 5 and 7 when it should be 10 and 2,the other way is absolutely absurb.

[jcp123]

I drive with hands on 12 and Coke lol

[StorM]

Ok yeah the US census says 294,800,000 roughly.. they have some kinda population clock going there so yes #s are a little off but still viable as a reference start. plus I rounded up on my calculations.

[DodgeNitroBIRM]

Why do they teach steering position at 5 and 7 when it should be 10 and 2,the other way is absolutely absurb.

From what I remember when I took my High School driver training, when the airbags explode your hands won't get burned from the escaping gases. It also allows for the push and pull method, your hands are on the steering wheel more and they won't ever cross over each other and tie your hands up in an emergancy turn.

[Coventrysucks]

From what I remember when I took my High School driver training, when the airbags explode your hands won't get burned from the escaping gases. It also allows for the push and pull method, your hands are on the steering wheel more and they won't ever cross over each other and tie your hands up in an emergancy turn.

"10-2 position.

This gives you perfect body balance within the car, maximum leverage on the wheel and still plenty more arm travel in either direction should it be necessary."

Advice from Ride Drive, advanced driver training by Britain's police traffic patrol officers.

Re: Airbag burns - You'd generally have more to worry about than some slight burns if they were deployed.

[deadly-phoenix]

We mostly use them to haul stuff behind them, but everyone is trading them in for smaller, lighter cars that get better gas mileage.

[baddabang]

We mostly use them to haul stuff behind them, but everyone is trading them in for smaller, lighter cars that get better gas mileage.

dude this thread is 2 years old. Please stop

[adrenaline]

Why the hell would you dig up a two year old thread, to say something so generic? Words cant describe that kind of stupidity.

[henk4]

Why the hell would you dig up a two year old thread, to say something so generic? Words cant describe that kind of stupidity.

Don't forget that the forums refreshes its membership on a continuous basis. New members may have to say something useful to old threads. Not that it is the case here, but in general digging out old threads in itself should not be a priori condemned.

[brum]

I just thought about leg room, I can't hold my steering wheel at 5-and-7 (I'm referring to the steering wheel like a clock for those who can't tell) like most driving schools recommend. My knuckles hit my kneecaps, so I do the old style 2-and-10 or a 3-and-9. Kind of annoying because I found that 5-and-7 were quite comfortable while driving for a long time, I could do it in the Ranger, but since I've gotten my 200SX, I can't anymore.

[haha henk4 - funny one]

in Australia NSW, we use 10-2 hand positioning, I use 5-7 when im lazy on long roads but the law encourages 10-2. I also use hand-over-hand, I find this is the smoothest driving technique. do you know whether the change to 5-7 in the US was due to insurance claims?

[brum]

We mostly use them to haul stuff behind them, but everyone is trading them in for smaller, lighter cars that get better gas mileage.

what exactly does [or did] every 2nd American need to haul?

trading/fuel prices killing american car makers?

[SlickHolden]

[haha henk4 - funny one]

in Australia NSW, we use 10-2 hand positioning, I use 5-7 when im lazy on long roads but the law encourages 10-2. I also use hand-over-hand, I find this is the smoothest driving technique. do you know whether the change to 5-7 in the US was due to insurance claims?

I like to use 9-3, If lazy 12