Editing Steering wheel (section)

===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>