Steerings Wheels and Steering Wheel Accessories: A Buyer's Guide

There are many different types of steering wheel accessories on the market.

Steering Wheel Covers
Steering wheel covers protect the original steering wheel from becoming grimy or worn down. Over time, the interior of a vehicle will get sun bleached and dry out. Your steering wheel can develop cracks and scars as the material starts to break down. Employing a steering wheel cover will not only prevent this happening but it will also slow the process down if the steering wheel is already showing signs of wear. Steering wheel covers can be made of almost any sort of material, from leather to faux fur.

Steering Wheel Knobs
These neat little handles fit onto your steering wheel and allow people with minor upper body disabilities to drive safely with the use of one arm. They do come with a word of caution. Driving one handed is not generally acceptable, so where possible, always use both hands. These steering wheel knobs clamp and screw on to your steering wheel. Bear in mind that the screws will do permanent damage to your steering wheel, so only fit one if you absolutely want to.

Steering Wheel Locking Devices
These locks have two c-shaped hooks that clamp to your steering wheel. The heavy bar attached to the hooks goes across the steering wheel to prevent thieves driving off in your car. You simply clamp it into place and it locks. These can prove very useful. If your alarm fails to go off or a thief gets into your vehicle regardless of the alarm system, you will still not run the risk of losing your vehicle so quickly if they have to wrestle with yet another anti-theft device.

What is a Sports Car Steering Wheel?

A sports car steering wheel is a bit different from what is in a normal passenger vehicle. Sports steering will be tuned for high performance and fast driving.

Steering Ratio
The steering ratio refers to how far the wheel can be turned. When the steering wheel moves 360 degrees, the wheels of the car will turn a certain amount, such as 20 degrees. This produces the steering ratio 360:20, or when reduced, 18:1. Generally the higher the ratio the more the steering wheel will need to be turned. Sports cars tend to lave lower steering ratios which in turn results in very fast response. Only a slight change in the steering is needed to make a big difference in the movement of the vehicle. Sports cars are usually light enough so that the effort needed for these low ratios is not overly excessive.

Limited Space
There are special types of steering wheels that are typically used, where there is limited space to get into the car. A quick release wheel is typically found in race cars that have a roll cage. The cage limits the interior room. There is a pin in the steering wheel so the wheel can be removed from the column in order to make extra room to get into and out of the vehicle. For sports cars, this is an aftermarket upgrade and there are street legal kits and racing kits available.

Other Functions
A sports car steering wheel hub is for more than just steering. The shifting buttons, or paddle, tend to be mounted on the steering wheel. This can make shifting very fast because it's not necessary to move the hand completely to the center of the car where the manual stick shift would be found in a traditional passenger car. Normally, a sequential manual transmission or sequential manual gearbox will have buttons found on the steering wheel. This type of shifting is perfect for race cars because you only need to use the clutch when going from stopped to moving. The shifting instead uses pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. The right hand paddle normally will up shift and the left hand paddle will down shift. The electronics to use this are very sophisticated.

Club Car Steering Wheels

A club car steering wheel is different from the traditional steering hub found on passenger vehicles. There are many different versions of steering wheels as they have all been adapted to the different vehicles. Club cars in particular are not driven on the road, with the best example being the golf cart. These types of cars are used at airports, golf courses, stadiums and more. The models available include 4x4, utility vehicles, business vehicles and those for homeowners.

Main Differences
One main feature that differs in a club car steering wheel is that the wheel normally will not contain an airbag. Airbags are not needed because these vehicles are not built to go very fast. With some club cars, the wheel can be removed by pressing a pin. This is necessary as the interior of the vehicle is very small and the driver cannot get in and out of the vehicle without removing the steering wheel.

Popular Models
Many individuals like to use the replica steering wheels found on Formula 1 race cars. These are perfect for club car owners who love to go off-roading. Ultimately, the best steering wheel will be the one that is most comfortable for your grip and placement in the car. While the look is important, so is the weight and feel of the wheel. Besides the F1 spoke replica wheel, another popular choice tends to be the Grant simulated wooden steering wheel. The best steering wheel for your vehicle will depend on driving conditions, vehicle and environment.

Kits
It is possible to customize or upgrade your current steering wheel by getting an aftermarket kit. There are kits that provide wheels with better grip, more responsive steering and much more. These club car steering wheels are very easy to install and can make a big difference in the handling of the vehicle. Most club cars come with adjustable rack and pinion steering, which is found on almost all cars. The main difference is that power steering may or may not be included. Without power steering a lot of force may be needed to turn the wheel. A new steering wheel with a gear mechanism can reduce the amount of force needed to turn the wheel.