Steering Wheel Lock

[Mud Pie]

As strange as this sounds, I never noticed that the steering wheel does not "lock" when not in use.

A friend was sitting in the drivers seat checking out my car. He grabbed the steering wheel and twisted left and right, it did so with no problem.

He looked at me and said, "Steering wheel doesn't lock ?" I said, "Uh, guess not..." He said, "I thought that was some federal law or something.". "Dunno.".

Is it ? Should my steering lock and I've never noticed it before ??

[Turbo42]

smart steering wheels do not lock

[Mud Pie]

Thanks for the quick response !

It was almost my first "uh-oh" with my smart. It has been absolutely trouble free thus far.....

[Turbo42]

No problem an answer is a click away on here!!!

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by babybenz

smart steering wheels do not lock

Many newer vehicles do not have 'locking' steering columns. A few years back when I bought a new Pontiac G6, I noticed it didn't have a lockable steering column.

Unfortunately, the reason I only had it a year is because the column DID lock while you were DRIVING! Seems the electric assist power steering motor on the column would 'lock up' at times, preventing you from turning the steering wheel....AT ALL! Nice when you're driving on the interstate OR pulling onto the street from your driveway.

This is how I got involved with forums. I went online to research this and found that dozens of people were experiencing the same thing, with their dealers saying "....but there's nothing wrong with your car." Sorry, I don't think the engineers at GM meant for that to happen. So, since they couldn't fix it and I value my life above the comforts and niceties of my G6, I traded it for something more.....simple. A Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

But back to the topic of this thread. I think if you check around, you'll find that today this is the rule rather than the exception.

[forestacademy]

Im only guessing here, but wasnt the steering wheel lock a part of a primitive inefective antitheft system. With all the electronics involved with the key and ignition system the wheel lock is another mechanical system to fail that would not add any value

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Im only guessing here, but wasnt the steering wheel lock a part of a primitive inefective antitheft system. With all the electronics involved with the key and ignition system the wheel lock is another mechanical system to fail that would not add any value

EXACTLY. With the invention of the 'shift interlock' system, it keeps the car from being taken out of Park.

If you can't MOVE the car, then there's no reason to be able to STEER it.

[forestacademy]

And how many folks have been stuck in the past because they couldn't unlock their sterring wheel if someone had turned it while the key was out. Or you had to fight with the wheel in order to turn your key. I went through that fight many times.

[Padawan]

I think the main reason why the steering wheel lock was omitted is most likely because the key is located in the centre console rather than on the steering column or dashboard. Most steering locks are mechanical, rather than electronic like the shift interlocks, so making a mechanical link between the wheel and the key would have been extremely difficult in the smart.

[Z06-LITE]

Steering wheels locking and not unlocking has been a big problem on C-5 Corvettes. Go to any Corvette forum and that is a regular topic of discussion. I for one am very glad we don't have to contend with locking steering columns.