A car steering wheel is the driver-operated control that directs the front wheels, houses the driver airbag, and carries horn, audio, and cruise controls.
What Is a Car Steering Wheel?
A car steering wheel is the part of the steering system that the driver operates, and the rest of the steering system responds to the driver’s input. It is also called a driving wheel or hand wheel. Modern wheels carry controls. Examples include the horn, audio, and cruise controls. Wheel designs include round wheels and the square wheel in the mid-engine C8 Corvette.
What Are the 5 Main Parts of a Car Steering Wheel?
The 5 main parts of a car steering wheel are the rim, spokes, hub, airbag module, and clock spring.
- Rim: forms the outer edge of the wheel.
- Spokes: connect the rim to the hub.
- Hub: supports the wheel on the steering column.
- Airbag module: holds the driver airbag in the hub, together with the horn device.
- Clock spring: maintains the electrical link between the airbag and other vehicle systems.
What Does a Clock Spring Do in a Steering Wheel?
A clock spring keeps electrical connections working while the wheel rotates. It consists of a plate that rotates with the steering wheel and a housing fixed to the steering column. Signs of wear include inoperable steering wheel controls and an illuminated airbag warning light.
When Did the Steering Wheel Replace the Tiller in Cars?
The steering wheel replaced the tiller within about 10 years after Alfred Vacheron fitted the first one to a Panhard et Levassor in 1894. Key dates in steering wheel history include:
For related reading, see Pedals and Steering Wheel for Xbox: 7 Sets, Prices, and Specs. The same maintenance context also connects with Pedals and Steering Wheel for Xbox.
- 1886: The Benz Patent Motorwagen used a tiller.
- 1894: Vacheron installed a steering wheel for the Paris to Rouen race.
- 1898: Steering wheels became standard on Panhard et Levassor cars.
- 1900: Daimler added a steering wheel with a tilted column to the Phoenix racing car.
- Mid-1970s: Cruise controls joined the controls around the wheel.
- 1998: Mercedes-Benz launched its first multifunction steering wheel on the W220 S-Class.
How Does a Car Steering Wheel Work With Power Steering?
Power steering augments the driver’s steering effort, and 3 types exist: hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, and electric.
Hydraulic systems draw power from an engine belt, which causes a parasitic power loss. Electro-hydraulic systems use an electric motor to drive the pump. Electric systems replace the hydraulic system completely and draw as little as 4 watts when the car drives straight.
A study using the FTP-75 driving cycle measured a 1% fuel economy gain for electro-hydraulic steering and a 1.7% gain for electric steering, compared with hydraulic steering. The table compares the 3 systems by power source and fuel economy change in that test.
| Power Steering System | Power Source | Fuel Economy Change vs Hydraulic Steering (FTP-75) |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic (HPS) | Engine-driven belt and hydraulic pump | 0% (baseline) |
| Electro-hydraulic (EHPS) | Electric motor driving a hydraulic pump | 1% improvement |
| Electric (EPS) | Electric motor only | 1.7% improvement |
How Does the Steering Wheel Airbag Protect Drivers?
The driver airbag sits in the steering wheel, and an airbag with a lap and shoulder belt cuts the risk of death in frontal crashes by 61%. According to the IIHS, NHTSA estimates that frontal airbags saved 4,330 lives in 2019 and 70,059 lives in total through 2019. The table shows the estimated reduction in death risk in frontal crashes by restraint type, as reported by the IIHS.
| Restraint Type | Reduction in Death Risk in Frontal Crashes |
|---|---|
| Airbag alone | 34% |
| Lap and shoulder belt alone | 50% |
| Airbag plus lap and shoulder belt | 61% |
What Is the Safe Distance Between the Driver and the Steering Wheel?
The safe distance is at least 10 inches. Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning advises this distance, and describes frontal airbags as supplemental devices designed for use with seat belts.
What Is the Correct Hand Position on a Car Steering Wheel?
NHTSA recommends the 9 and 3 position, with hands on opposite sides of the wheel halfway up. The earlier recommendation was 10 and 2. According to PEMCO Insurance, the lower position reduces the risk of broken wrists, broken thumbs, broken noses, and concussions when an airbag deploys.
For a reliable reference point, see NHTSA vehicle safety information.
What Is the Push-Pull Steering Method?
Push-pull steering is a turning method where one hand pushes the wheel up and the other pulls it down, so both hands stay on the wheel. NHTSA suggests it instead of hand-over-hand turning. The steps are:
- Hold the wheel at 9 and 3.
- Push up with one hand until it nears the 12 o’clock position.
- Pull down with the other hand to continue the turn.
What Features Do Modern Car Steering Wheels Include?
Modern car steering wheels include multifunction buttons, touch-sensitive pads, and hand-detection sensors. Examples include:
- Multifunction controls: Mercedes-Benz introduced them in 1998.
- Touchpads: Mercedes-Benz added them to the 2016 E-Class.
- Hand-detection sensors: Mercedes-Benz fitted a two-zone sensor mat that detects whether the wheel is held, starting with the 2021 model year.
- Steer-by-wire: Infiniti uses a system with no physical connection between the wheel and the road.
People Also Ask
What is the steering wheel in a car?
The steering wheel is the part of the steering system that the driver manipulates.
Who invented the car steering wheel?
Alfred Vacheron fitted the first known car steering wheel to a Panhard et Levassor in 1894.
Where is the driver airbag located in a car?
The driver airbag is located in the steering wheel, and the passenger airbag is located in the dashboard.
What hand position does NHTSA recommend for a steering wheel?
NHTSA recommends the 9 and 3 hand position.
Why Is the Car Steering Wheel Important for Driving Safety?
The car steering wheel is important for driving safety because it directs the vehicle, houses the driver airbag, and sets the hand position for control. Key facts include:
- Parts: 5 main parts make up the wheel.
- Power steering: 3 types reduce steering effort.
- Airbag protection: an airbag with a lap and shoulder belt reduces the risk of death in frontal crashes by 61%.
- Hand position: NHTSA recommends 9 and 3.
Jimmy O’Riley is a UK-based mobile mechanic and automotive diagnostic specialist operating out of Bedfordshire, England. He founded O’Rileys Autos in 2011 with a focus on bringing professional vehicle repairs directly to customers at their homes and workplaces.
With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jimmy specializes in ABS diagnostics, brake system repairs, diesel emissions faults, and DPF cleaning. He is recognized across the UK and Ireland as one of the leading specialists in vehicle braking and emissions systems, earning the title “The DPF King” from his growing online audience.
Jimmy documents real-world automotive repairs through his YouTube channel, which has accumulated over 97,000 subscribers and nearly 2,000 published repair videos. His content covers ABS fault diagnosis, wheel speed sensor testing, brake module replacement, and roadside repair procedures across a wide range of vehicle makes and models.
He is active on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook under O’Rileys Autos.
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