I think the leather steering wheel on my Macan is the best steering wheel I ever had in any car. And I had many nice cars. The car is 7 years old and the steering wheel is still like new.
Uncomfortable Steering Wheel Grip - 2022 Macan GTS GT Steering Wheel in RaceTex
Hello all! I've had my 2022 Macan GTS for about 6 months and am absolutely in love with it!
I've accumulated over 18,000 miles on it.
6 months.
That's not a typo.
I've done amazing things such road trip from NYC to Montana within two weeks of ownership: left NYC with 555 miles on the ODO and returning with 7,800, roundtrips rom NYC to Atlanta, as well as NYC to the panhandle of Florida, hitting up some renowned places such as Tail of the Dragon on two trips, and MANY, MANY countless spirited joyrides.
I've had plenty of Smiles Per Gallon!
That all said, I love the feel of my RaceTex steering wheel, but within the first two weeks of ownership, I began to feel some chafing in the gap between my thumb and forefinger from the stitching when I hold the wheel in the 3- and 9-o'clock positions, which is my goto, natural grip. (Remember the story of the Princess and the Pea? That's my sister. ;-)) Initially, I attributed this to the break in period, and then it didn't bother me for a while. Nowadays, I notice this discomfort during long drives, or spirited drives when my hands are sweaty and my grip is tighter. I recently had a loaner with leather non-GT steering wheel while my car was in for 20K maintenance, and I also drove my buddy @frankfurtnyc awesome 2017 GTS with leather GT steering wheel, and didn't notice this discomfort. In fact, I was envying the 2022 Macan S's steering wheel feel during the two days that I had it.
I then pondered this for a while and wondered if I were genuinely enjoying the grip and feel of the two leather steering wheels that I just experienced, OR was it the CHANGE that I was enjoying, similar to how a different office chair, a different sofa/couch at a friend's place, or a different mattress at a hotel/BNB feel "better"--the psychology being the "newness" of the change, more so than the actual steering wheel, office chair, sofa, etc.; kind of a FOMO, "****, maybe I should have gotten this one instead?!" phenomenon.
But I feel that it's the chafing of the stitching that's bothering this prince. I didn't choose to be this sensitive; rather, this sensitivity chose me. And it's been like this for about the last 5-7 years of my life. For context, this Ram will have revolved 4 dozen times around the sun by March 26th.
I'm considering fingerless driving gloves, but I kind of don't want to bother with putting gloves on and taking them off when I'm going out for a drive. I like the grip of the RaceTex fabric, especially as my hands get sweaty and I'm clenching the wheel hard, but the chafing from the stitching, primarily on the lefthand side is really a downer. I've thought about using pieces of adhesive "Alcantara" as bandages only around the area where I get the chafing, but feel that it may look sketchy and leave residue behind if/when I remove it. I'm considering the relatively significant expense of replacing the steering wheel with a leather one. Suncoast has replacements for $1295.00, but mine has CF trim, which complements my gear shift lever (also wrapped in RaceTex), and I don't see that as an option--does anyone know if the CF inserts can be swapped out?
I'd love to hear some thoughts and opinions as to what I can do to resolve this. My build code is in my signature.
Thanks in advance and happy driving!
P.S. Contrary to some misinformation on the internet, and in particular with respect to a particular, very opinionated, YouTube journalist with a high following, RaceTex fabric does NOT wear out the way others make it seem. Rather, it gets matted, and this is remedied by the use of a quality Alcantara cleaner and brush and restored to a like-new condition. Think of it as shampooing your hair. I'm not saying that it doesn't wear at all, because it will indeed wear as any material does, including that of a leather-wrapped steering wheel. But I can testify that the quality of Porsche's materials is top tier. I am speaking from 18,000+ miles of hard driving experience.
![Vehicle Speedometer Car Motor vehicle Tachometer]()
![Speedometer Vehicle Trip computer Odometer Motor vehicle]()
I've accumulated over 18,000 miles on it.
6 months.
That's not a typo.
I've done amazing things such road trip from NYC to Montana within two weeks of ownership: left NYC with 555 miles on the ODO and returning with 7,800, roundtrips rom NYC to Atlanta, as well as NYC to the panhandle of Florida, hitting up some renowned places such as Tail of the Dragon on two trips, and MANY, MANY countless spirited joyrides.
I've had plenty of Smiles Per Gallon!
That all said, I love the feel of my RaceTex steering wheel, but within the first two weeks of ownership, I began to feel some chafing in the gap between my thumb and forefinger from the stitching when I hold the wheel in the 3- and 9-o'clock positions, which is my goto, natural grip. (Remember the story of the Princess and the Pea? That's my sister. ;-)) Initially, I attributed this to the break in period, and then it didn't bother me for a while. Nowadays, I notice this discomfort during long drives, or spirited drives when my hands are sweaty and my grip is tighter. I recently had a loaner with leather non-GT steering wheel while my car was in for 20K maintenance, and I also drove my buddy @frankfurtnyc awesome 2017 GTS with leather GT steering wheel, and didn't notice this discomfort. In fact, I was envying the 2022 Macan S's steering wheel feel during the two days that I had it.
I then pondered this for a while and wondered if I were genuinely enjoying the grip and feel of the two leather steering wheels that I just experienced, OR was it the CHANGE that I was enjoying, similar to how a different office chair, a different sofa/couch at a friend's place, or a different mattress at a hotel/BNB feel "better"--the psychology being the "newness" of the change, more so than the actual steering wheel, office chair, sofa, etc.; kind of a FOMO, "****, maybe I should have gotten this one instead?!" phenomenon.
But I feel that it's the chafing of the stitching that's bothering this prince. I didn't choose to be this sensitive; rather, this sensitivity chose me. And it's been like this for about the last 5-7 years of my life. For context, this Ram will have revolved 4 dozen times around the sun by March 26th.
I'm considering fingerless driving gloves, but I kind of don't want to bother with putting gloves on and taking them off when I'm going out for a drive. I like the grip of the RaceTex fabric, especially as my hands get sweaty and I'm clenching the wheel hard, but the chafing from the stitching, primarily on the lefthand side is really a downer. I've thought about using pieces of adhesive "Alcantara" as bandages only around the area where I get the chafing, but feel that it may look sketchy and leave residue behind if/when I remove it. I'm considering the relatively significant expense of replacing the steering wheel with a leather one. Suncoast has replacements for $1295.00, but mine has CF trim, which complements my gear shift lever (also wrapped in RaceTex), and I don't see that as an option--does anyone know if the CF inserts can be swapped out?
I'd love to hear some thoughts and opinions as to what I can do to resolve this. My build code is in my signature.
Thanks in advance and happy driving!
P.S. Contrary to some misinformation on the internet, and in particular with respect to a particular, very opinionated, YouTube journalist with a high following, RaceTex fabric does NOT wear out the way others make it seem. Rather, it gets matted, and this is remedied by the use of a quality Alcantara cleaner and brush and restored to a like-new condition. Think of it as shampooing your hair. I'm not saying that it doesn't wear at all, because it will indeed wear as any material does, including that of a leather-wrapped steering wheel. But I can testify that the quality of Porsche's materials is top tier. I am speaking from 18,000+ miles of hard driving experience.
41 - 60 of 77 Posts
For the OP and to understand better, this is the standard leather, multi whatever its called 95b.1 steering wheel. Refer to post 27, which is CORRECT
I was driving today and thought to see what I was doing and without thinking it was shuffle steering. I don't see why anyone would do anything else. Its the airbag. You WILL regret it if it goes off.
See the indent below. See where the steering wheel indents? Thumbs go there, NOT around the wheel. See the stitching? If your fingers or hands are on the stitching, you are doing it wrong.
![]()
Now, also look at post 27 for the CF wheel and here it is in leather. That bulge? I suspect its there cause Porsche is known for racing. Its what they "did". Thats 10 and 2 and since race cars have no airbags, if you are going faster, the bulge works. But not for normal driving. Think of it like the Le Mans start left hand key, a remnant of racing but functionally meaningless IRL. If in a timed event, I doubt anyone is worrying about an airbag going off but on the line.
![]()
I was driving today and thought to see what I was doing and without thinking it was shuffle steering. I don't see why anyone would do anything else. Its the airbag. You WILL regret it if it goes off.
See the indent below. See where the steering wheel indents? Thumbs go there, NOT around the wheel. See the stitching? If your fingers or hands are on the stitching, you are doing it wrong.
Now, also look at post 27 for the CF wheel and here it is in leather. That bulge? I suspect its there cause Porsche is known for racing. Its what they "did". Thats 10 and 2 and since race cars have no airbags, if you are going faster, the bulge works. But not for normal driving. Think of it like the Le Mans start left hand key, a remnant of racing but functionally meaningless IRL. If in a timed event, I doubt anyone is worrying about an airbag going off but on the line.
2
I appreciate the time you put into a reply. I will give this a try the next time I’m behind the wheel.For the OP and to understand better, this is the standard leather, multi whatever its called 95b.1 steering wheel. Refer to post 27, which is CORRECT
I was driving today and thought to see what I was doing and without thinking it was shuffle steering. I don't see why anyone would do anything else. Its the airbag. You WILL regret it if it goes off.
See the indent below. See where the steering wheel indents? Thumbs go there, NOT around the wheel. See the stitching? If your fingers or hands are on the stitching, you are doing it wrong.
![]()
Now, also look at post 27 for the CF wheel and here it is in leather. That bulge? I suspect its there cause Porsche is known for racing. Its what they "did". Thats 10 and 2 and since race cars have no airbags, if you are going faster, the bulge works. But not for normal driving. Think of it like the Le Mans start left hand key, a remnant of racing but functionally meaningless IRL. If in a timed event, I doubt anyone is worrying about an airbag going off but on the line.
![]()
I don't buy the 10-2 is a risk with airbags (assuming you don't have your thumbs hooked). I have yet to find any actual data that shows it is an issue. Everything I found was commenting on the thumbs being inside when at 10-2, or with hands at the top of the wheel. If you think about it, the bag is in the center of the wheel and when it explodes, it does so outward. That would push your hands/arms back and away from the wheel. If you are holding the edge of the wheel, how does the bag force your hands towards your face?! Even if the force was perpendicular to the face of the wheel, your hands are already outside the space occupied by your face. If one has their arms across the face of the wheel, that could be a big issue, though.
As for me, referencing Grim's image, the base of my thumb rests in the 'indent' and my thumb rests on the 'bulge' on the face of the wheel (pointing almost straight up). So, that is probably more like 9:30-2:30.
As for me, referencing Grim's image, the base of my thumb rests in the 'indent' and my thumb rests on the 'bulge' on the face of the wheel (pointing almost straight up). So, that is probably more like 9:30-2:30.
Driving with Hands at 10 and 2 is Outdated and Dangerous
Holding the steering wheel at 10 and 2 is dangerously outdated. Find out why.
crosleylaw.com
Holding the steering wheel at '10 and 2' is dangerously outdated
www.businessinsider.com
pictures, you were warned
Airbag-induced thumb avulsion: two case reports - PubMed
Although airbags are designed to save lives and protect victims from serious injuries, airbag deployment can cause unwanted lesions. In this case report, two cases are presented of young women who sustained an important fracture dislocation of the first carpometacarpal joint (CMC I joint) caused...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Did you read any of those?! Support nowhere to be found.Driving with Hands at 10 and 2 is Outdated and Dangerous
Holding the steering wheel at 10 and 2 is dangerously outdated. Find out why.
Holding the steering wheel at '10 and 2' is dangerously outdated
pictures, you were warned
Airbag-induced thumb avulsion: two case reports - PubMed
Although airbags are designed to save lives and protect victims from serious injuries, airbag deployment can cause unwanted lesions. In this case report, two cases are presented of young women who sustained an important fracture dislocation of the first carpometacarpal joint (CMC I joint) caused...
"If your hands are at the top of the wheel and an airbag deploys, there’s a good chance that your hands will be propelled backward and into your face at high velocity " ...nope, not what we are talking about.
"The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reports that improper placement of hands on the wheel when an airbag deploys has caused injuries such as amputation of fingers and “degloving”" ...and they don't define what improper placement is.
"If the driver's hands are at the top of the wheel when the wheel-mounted airbag deploys, they are likely to be knocked into his or her face. If they are at the bottom of the wheel, they will be sent sideways, and do no further damage." ...again, not what we are talking about.
"A driver sustains multiple fractures of the forearms and wrists driving her car with both hands over the airbag cover in a collision." ...once again, not what we are talking about.
"Two MN state troopers sustained fractured thumbs while resting their thumbs over the center airbag cover" ...starting to see a theme here? Not what we are talking about.
"A wedding ring of a female's left hand causes a large facial laceration just above the left eye while driving her vehicle with the left hand on top of the wheel." ...the theme continues.
...and then this article goes on to do an experiment that was poorly constructed. It appears that they think that if you drive at 10-2 that you must wrap your thumbs. Yet, when you drive at 9-3, you never do. But, it gets better: "Certainly drivers should avoid holding their hands in the airbag danger zone: over the top of the wheel, over the airbag cover, and on the bottom" ...say what? Where is the reference to not holding at 10-2?
The last one doesn't give any written details, but looks like once again this is about wrapping your thumbs.
Got any more that don't support the position?
Many, go to NIH, there are dozens of reports. No they don't tell you exactly where the hands were, eg
The effects of airbag deployment on severe upper extremity injuries in frontal automobile crashes - PubMed
The purpose of this study was to investigate severe upper extremity injuries resulting from frontal automobile crashes and to determine the effects of frontal airbags. The National Automotive Sampling System database files from 1993 to 2000 were examined in a study that included 25,464...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Severe upper extremity injuries in frontal automobile crashes: the effects of depowered airbags - PubMed
Although depowered airbags were designed to reduce the risk of injuries, they appear to have increased the overall incidence of severe upper extremity injuries through a shift from long bone fractures to joint dislocations.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Two open forearm fractures after airbag deployment during low speed accidents - PubMed and on and on and on
but do whatever you want. Drive however you want. Ignore AAA. Ignore the NHTSA.
Ignore the Insurance Companies eg
Things Have Changed Since You Learned to Drive
If you have a child taking driver's ed, it's time to learn the latest updates to the subject.
www.statefarm.com
How To Hold Your Steering Wheel Properly
Learning how to hold your steering wheel properly is one of the most critical steps you can take to ensure a safe drive. Here are the techniques to master.
Your car. People do whatever they want.
More
Experts Warn Stop Driving at 10 and 2
Driving experts say get rid of a bad habit: ’10 and 2′ hand positions on your steering wheel are no longer ideal. Instead hold the wheel at the lower ‘9 and 3’ positions.
www.nbcbayarea.com
According to MSNBC, in extreme cases, fingers or hands were severed and arms broken. In more common cases, arms can be flung into faces, causing broken noses and concussions.
The Traffic Safety Administration, the Auto Club and other agencies instead recommend holding the steering wheel at the lower 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
at least in cars with airbags, the idea being that if your hands are at 10 and 2 when the airbag deploys your arms may get broken or your shoulder dislocated or your hands are propelled into your head and you suffer some other grievous injury.
AAA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and driving instructors teach that you should keep your hands lower, at 9 and 3 o'clock, or even lower, at 8 and 4. MSNBC says this change is partly to protect our hands and head, because if airbags go off, they're more likely to injure your hands that are higher up on the steering wheel and then slam your hands into your head. So apparently it's a "stop hitting yourself" adjustment.
Air bag Safety Tips - Campanellas's Auto and Tire Center - Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center
Fail to obey these air bag safety tips you'll end up looking like these people.
10 and 2 fling arms into the A pillar or mirror
Gross on the thumb, which seems to be what the op was doing and the point of this thread
www.epermittest.com
not FUD, very clear, crossing arms while turning is bad, which is the point of shuffle turning. 10 and 2 was meant to pull down for non PS cars. Arms crossed over. No more, shuffle turn so arm not in front of the air bag
eww, different subject but the point is the same, airbag gonna hurt, dont have anything in the way
www.autoblog.com
Steering Techniques: Hand-to-Hand vs Hand Over Hand Steering
Getting to grips with the various possible steering techniques begins with learning to position your hands on the steering wheel appropriately for the immediate driving situation and learning and practicing several different steering methods. These include the “hand to hand” technique...
www.epermittest.com
not FUD, very clear, crossing arms while turning is bad, which is the point of shuffle turning. 10 and 2 was meant to pull down for non PS cars. Arms crossed over. No more, shuffle turn so arm not in front of the air bag
eww, different subject but the point is the same, airbag gonna hurt, dont have anything in the way
X-ray vividly shows why you shouldn't ride with feet on car dashboard - Autoblog
Police in Wales shared an X-ray showing horrific injuries suffered by a car passenger who was riding with her feet on the dashboard when the car crashed.
www.autoblog.com
41 - 60 of 77 Posts
