Having air bags, antilock brakes and other safety features is an excellent start, but there are other considerations to make when it comes to staying safe on the road. One of the biggest is making sure you have “a grip” behind the wheel, or more precisely, on it!

Few people stop to think about the comfort level and safety offered by their steering wheel grips until it is too late. It is time to do something if:

•The steering wheel is too slick to hold in hot conditions or when tension mounts and the palms sweat.
•The steering wheel does not feel comfortable in the hands.
•When hands slide too much under normal operating conditions.
Upgrading a steering wheel grip is an easy task. If you have slippage problems with yours, consider:

•Getting a wraparound device to cover the grip and provide more traction. Make sure you do not make the problem worse, however. Select a material that provides comfort and traction both. Cloth covers are often among the best for reducing slippage.
•Replacing the steering wheel in some cases might provide the answer. If, for example, your grip is too big for your hands, a replacement wheel might be a good answer.
Getting a grip behind the wheel if imperative safety. If your grip just is not right, it is time to look into a solution.