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For years, driving instructors drilled “10 and 2” into our heads. But if you’re still gripping the wheel that way, you’re asking for trouble. Airbags changed everything. If one deploys while your hands are in the wrong spot, you could break your wrists or punch yourself in the face. Stunt drivers have known this for years, and now they’re letting the rest of us in on the secret.

Why 10 and 2 is outdated

If you took driver’s ed before airbags were standard, 10 and 2 made sense. But today’s airbags deploy at up to 200 mph. That’s faster than a NASCAR car at full throttle. If your hands are in the way, they’ll be launched backward—possibly breaking your wrists, elbows, or even your nose.

Stunt driver Jonathan Wessel warns, “It’s not recommended that you drive that way.” He’s not alone. Bobby Ore, who’s trained Hollywood’s top stunt drivers, says 8 and 4 is the way to go. It keeps your hands clear of the airbag while giving you maximum control.

What stunt drivers do instead

Professional stunt drivers don’t just change their grip—they change how they steer. Wessel explains, “Shuffle steering” is a technique that keeps both hands on the wheel while preventing crossover.

Here’s how it works:

  • To turn right, pull the wheel up with your left hand.
  • At the same time, slide your right hand up to meet it.
  • Then, pull the wheel down with your right hand while sliding your left hand down.

The result? You never take a hand off the wheel, and your arms never cross in front of the airbag.

Why you should switch to 8 and 4

The lower grip keeps your arms relaxed and your hands clear of danger. “It allows your shoulders, your back, and your upper arms to relax a lot more,” Wessel says. That means less fatigue on long drives and more control when things go wrong.

Ore agrees, adding, “Hold that wheel like you’re ready for anything.” Whether you’re dodging a deer or reacting to a sudden stop, 8 and 4 gives you better leverage without the risk of broken bones.

The 10 and 2 rule is as dead as disco. Stunt drivers don’t use it, and neither should you. Drop your hands to 8 and 4 and give shuffle steering a shot. Your wrists—and your face—will thank you.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.