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_______________________ WHEEL GRIP 121 |
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In the 4X, keep your mind at attention and your body at ease. When I tense up (hard not to do at times), I return home tired, grouchy and most likely have a headache. Reduce the tension by starting with easy trips. Let someone else lead. Go with friends who know what they are doing. Let your job be to learn and enjoy. Leave the worry to others. All this is easier said than done, but keep that thought in mind from the beginning and at least a portion of the trek will be more relaxing. The steering wheel - how do you hold it? I only bring this up because there's an old husband's tale that needs adjustment.
That was reasonable advice back in aught 9 with crude four-spoke steering wheels and no steering dampers or power steering. My Dad, born and raised in Oklahoma, to this day, actually lets go of the steering wheel when he sees or feels a bump! However, I've yet to have a modern steering wheel jerked out of my hands, let alone break my thumbs. What's more, if you're driving at a reasonable speed (slowly, I hope), I can't imagine what it would take to do digit damage in a modern 4X. |
Rumor
has it, back in aught 9 (the year after Henry made his first Ford),
there was a farmer, somewhere in Oklahoma I believe, who lost a thumb
because he had them inside versus outside the steering wheel ring. An
unseen bump ripped the steering wheel from his limp grip. The fast
turning spokes of the rustic round thing showed no mercy and sheared one
of them suckers clean off at the palm.
Now,
I don't know how many of you have ever tried to button your jeans
without your thumbs, but it's almost impossible! This was so
embarrassing to the poor ol' guy, he just crawled off into the prairie
and died, or at least no one ever saw him in button jeans again. Ever
since then, the rule has been: Keep your thumbs outside the wheel or
learn to go around with your fly open.