Editing Steering wheel (section)

==Passenger cars==
[[File:1974 Citroen D-Special dashboard.jpg|thumb|right|1974 [[Citroën DS]] single spoke safety steering wheel]]
[[File:1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door i.jpg|thumb|right|1958 Plymouth Savoy showing two-spoke steering wheel with horn ring, and aftermarket [[brodie knob]], or steering wheel spinner]]
[[File:2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2 MY11) Limited 4WD wagon (2011-03-31).jpg|thumb|right|A [[Right- and left-hand traffic|RHD-mounted]] three-spoke wheel with [[airbag]], as well as [[Vehicle audio|audio]] and [[cruise control]] buttons]]

Steering wheels for passenger automobiles are generally circular. They are mounted to the [[steering column]] by a hub connected to the outer ring of the steering wheel by one or more [[spoke]]s (single spoke wheels being a relatively rare exception). Other types of vehicles may use a modified circular design, a butterfly shape, or some other shape, such as a yoke.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2021/11/13/tesla-model-s-steering-wheel-yoke-toyota-bz-4-x/6195652001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p |title=Does the steering wheel need to be round? Tesla's Elon Musk introduces new yoke-shaped wheel |date=13 November 2021 |first=Nathan |last=Bomey |work=USA Today |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> On some Tesla models, the steering control is through a yoke rectangle shaped with rounded edges and two pistol grips.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2022-tesla-model-s-plaid-steering-yoke-wheel-review/ |title=2022 Tesla Model S Plaid Steering Yoke Review: The Pros and Cons |date=29 June 2021 |first=Christian |last=Seabaugh |work=Motor Trend |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> The C8 Corvette includes a square-type steering wheel with rounded corners, described as a 'squircle'.<ref name="Rastogi"/> The objective of the flat bottom is to ease diver egress while the flattened top enhances the line of sight when driving.<ref name="Rastogi">{{cite web|url= https://www.hotcars.com/chevrolet-c8-corvette-stingrays-biggest-flaw/ |title=Why The Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray's Biggest Flaw Is Also Its Biggest Advantage |first=Simran |last=Rastogi |date=29 June 2023 |website=hotcars.com |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> General Motors applied for a US patent for a modular steering control that can be updated with components or changed in shape ranging from a traditional circle to a yoke.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://carbuzz.com/news/customizable-gm-steering-wheel-can-change-from-a-circle-to-a-yoke-and-everything-in-between/ |title=Customizable GM Steering Wheel Can Change From A Circle To A Yoke, And Everything In Between |first=Sebastian |last=Cenizo |date=1 March 2024 |website=carbuzz.com |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref>

In [[Left- and right-hand traffic|countries where cars must drive on the left side of the road]], the steering wheel is typically on the right side of the car (right-hand drive or RHD); the converse applies in countries where cars drive on the right side of the road (left-hand drive or LHD).

In addition to its use in steering, the steering wheel is the usual location for a button to activate the car's [[vehicle horn|horn]]. Modern automobiles may have other controls, such as [[cruise control]], audio system, and telephone controls, as well as [[Manumatic|paddle-shifters]], built into the steering wheel to minimize the extent to which the driver must take their hands off the wheel.

The steering wheels were rigid and mounted on non-collapsible [[steering column]]s. This arrangement increased the risk of [[Impalement|impaling]] the driver in case of a severe crash. The first collapsible steering column was invented in 1934 but was never successfully marketed.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=aCgDAAAAMBAJ&dq=steering+wheel+folds+in+crash&pg=PA32 |page=32 |title=Steering Wheel Folds in Crash |magazine=Popular Science |date=November 1934 |volume=125 |issue=5 |via=Google Books |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> By 1956, Ford came out with a safety steering wheel that was set high above the post with spokes that would flex,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure/1956%20Ford%20Fairlane-06.html |title=1956 Ford Fairlane brochure |page=6 |website=Oldcarbrochures.com |access-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121129110706/http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure/1956%20Ford%20Fairlane-06.html |archive-date=29 November 2012}}</ref> but the column was still rigid. In 1968, United States regulations ([[FMVSS]] Standard No. 204) were implemented concerning the acceptable rearward movement of the steering wheel in case of a crash.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/#SN204 |title=Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations |website=Nhtsa.dot.gov |access-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140529033515/http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/#SN204 |archive-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> Collapsible steering columns were required to meet that standard.  Before this invention, the [[Citroën DS]] incorporated a curved and off-center single-spoke steering wheel designed to deflect the driver from the steering column in case of a crash.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Torchinsky |first1=Jason |title=These Are The Reasons Why Citroën Used That Weird One-Spoke Steering Wheel |url= https://jalopnik.com/these-are-the-reasons-why-citroen-used-that-weird-one-s-1848304219 |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=Jalopnik |date=4 January 2022}}</ref>

[[Power steering]] affords the driver reduced effort to steer the car. Modern power steering has almost universally relied on a hydraulic system, although [[Electric Power Steering|electrical systems]] are steadily replacing this technology. Mechanical power steering systems were introduced, such as on 1953 [[Studebaker]]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Griswold |first=Wesley S. |title=Engine Helps Steer '53 Studebaker |magazine=Popular Science |date=February 1953 |volume=162 |issue=2 |pages=114–117, 244 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2C0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA114}}</ref> However, hydraulically assisted systems have prevailed.

While other methods of steering passenger cars have resulted from experiments, for example, the "wrist-twist" steering of the 1965 [[Mercury Park Lane]] concept car was controlled by two {{convert|5|in|mm|0|adj=on}} rings,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Markovich |first=Alex|title=Look, Ma-No Wheel! |magazine=Popular Mechanics |volume=123 |issue=4 |pages=91–93 |date=April 1965 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=A-MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA91}}</ref> none have yet been deployed as successfully as the conventional large steering wheel.

Passenger automobile regulations implemented by the [[U.S. Department of Transportation]] required the locking of steering wheel rotation (or transmission locked in "park") to hinder [[motor vehicle theft]]; in most vehicles, this is accomplished when the ignition [[key (lock)|key]] is removed from the [[ignition system|ignition]] lock. See [[steering lock]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.114 |title=Standard No. 114; Theft protection and rollaway prevention |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130522045046/http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.114 |archive-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

===Other designs===
[[File:Vochol17MAP.jpg|thumb|right|Cheerful steering wheel cover on a two-spoke [[Volkswagen Beetle]] steering wheel]]

The driver's seat and steering wheel are centrally located on certain high-performance sports cars, such as the [[McLaren F1]], and most single-seat racing cars.

As drivers may continuously have their hands on the steering wheel for many hours, these are designed with [[ergonomics]] in mind. However, the most crucial concern is that the driver can effectively convey torque to the steering system, especially in vehicles without power steering or in the rare event of a loss of steering assist. A typical design for circular steering wheels is a steel or [[magnesium]] rim with a plastic or rubberized grip molded over and around it. Some drivers purchase vinyl or textile steering wheel covers to enhance grip and comfort or simply as decoration. Another device used to make steering easier is the [[brodie knob]].

A similar device in aircraft is the [[yoke (aircraft)|yoke]]. Water vessels not steered from a stern-mounted [[tiller]] are directed with the [[ship's wheel]], which may have inspired the concept of the steering wheel. The steering wheel is better than other user interfaces and has persisted because driving requires precise feedback that is provided by a large interface.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gitlin |first=Jonathan M. |title=Why you'll never drive your car with a joystick |url= https://arstechnica.com/cars/2014/06/why-youll-never-drive-your-car-with-a-joystick/ |website=Ars Technica |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=7 November 2020 |url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140626042753/http://arstechnica.com/cars/2014/06/why-youll-never-drive-your-car-with-a-joystick/ |archive-date=26 June 2014}}</ref>

Early Formula One cars used steering wheels taken directly from road cars. They were normally made from wood. Without interior cabin packaging constraints, they tended to be made as large a diameter as possible to reduce the effort needed to turn. As cars grew progressively lower and driver's areas more compact throughout the 1960s and 1970s, steering wheels became smaller to fit into the interior space.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Formula 1 |url= http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/understanding_the_sport/5287.html |title=Steering wheel |access-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629025148/http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/understanding_the_sport/5287.html |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref>

===Spokes in steering wheel===
[[File:DKW Monza von innen.jpg|thumb|right|Banjo steering wheel in 1956 [[DKW Monza]] ]]

The number of spokes in the steering wheel has continuously changed. Most early cars had four-spoke steering wheels.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Porázik|first1=Juraj |first2=Ján |last2=Oravec|title=Old time classic cars, 1885-1940 |year=1985 |publisher=Arco Publishing |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qWI0V6q6SwwC |page=16 |isbn=9780668063074 |access-date=27 November 2012}}</ref>

A Banjo steering wheel was an option in early automobiles.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Breitenstein |first1=Jeff |title=Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies |date=2004 |publisher=MotorBooks International |isbn=9781610592352 |page=19 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OtKWmLLiuTgC&dq=Banjo+steering+wheel&pg=PA19 |access-date=8 November 2020}}</ref> They predate power steering. The wire spokes were a buffer or absorber between the driver's hands and the vibration transmitted from the road surfaces. Most were three- or four-spokes made of four or five wires in each spoke, hence the name "Banjo".