Why the driver should know the size of the steering wheel of his car
- April 29, 2022
- 0
Comfort in a car is created by many things, from properly selected tires to soundproofing. In order for the driver to easily spend a long time in the
Comfort in a car is created by many things, from properly selected tires to soundproofing. In order for the driver to easily spend a long time in the car, it is necessary to create a balance between dynamics, soft suspension, optional saturation, interior convenience and, of course, comfortable driving.
Yes, the steering and handling of the car are very important. And even in the size of the “steering wheel” the driver should understand. The AvtoVzglyad portal discovered why it is so important to know the dimensions of your car’s steering wheel.
Like everywhere in the car, everything depends on everything! The handling of a vehicle is thus a combination and the right balance between technology, different mechanisms, suspension components, tires, driving ability and of course the size and shape of the steering wheel. Moreover, it is mainly the dimensions of the “steering wheel” that are important.
Modern cars from the factory are equipped with a fairly comfortable steering wheel. Smooth “doughnuts” are becoming less common. Steering with anatomical tides, truncated steering in all possible ways and of course rims in different sizes are in fashion. But in fact, it turns out that not all design and anatomical solutions are good. The same steering wheels, truncated from below or above, prove extremely inconvenient when maneuvering in tight parking spaces, where the steering wheels of the most ordinary round shape, even without anatomical tides in the grip areas, prove to be much more convenient . And not all sizes are ergonomic.
Some car owners – either on a whim or in pursuit of the spectacular interior of their car – without hesitation, and above all, regardless of the calculations of engineers, throw away the old round “steering wheel” and install a steering wheel with a smaller and sometimes larger diameter. What is the risk?
Let’s start with the fact that the correct handlebar size definitely affects driving comfort. Are you using a smaller handlebar? Be prepared to put in more effort to manage it. This change is especially noticeable on machines without power steering. Did you choose a bigger “steering wheel”? Well, don’t complain that you can’t see part of the dash behind it, and when you turn, it rubs your legs.
The optimum size for passenger cars with hydro or electric power steering is a steering wheel diameter of 32 to 33 centimeters. As a result, taxiing does not become tedious, unnecessarily energy-consuming and, above all, the car does not lose controllability.
Well, now let’s look at the approximate size range of the steering wheels. “Esochka”, or in other words, the size “S” is the smallest size related to sports steering wheels. The diameter of such a “steering wheel” is from 31 to 37 cm. Then comes the size “M” with a diameter of 37 to 38 cm. This is the standard size for cars. A diameter of 38 to 42 cm is a non-standard, which is quite common in mass production cars. For crossovers and SUVs, the standard size is “XL” with a rim diameter of 42-43 cm. Large sizes “2XL” and “3XL” with a diameter of 47 to 49 centimeters are installed on trucks.
In practice, however, we have come across handlebars that are much smaller and do not fit this generally accepted size chart at all. By the way, when choosing a “steering wheel”, one more parameter should be taken into account – departure. To make it clearer, look at the handlebars from above from the side of the rim. And you immediately notice that the center of the handlebar is not in the same plane as the rim. This difference in distance is the departure. The paddles and control levers for vehicle systems located below the steering wheel must be easily accessible to the driver’s fingers. Too much overhang means you need to stretch. Too small – the levers are in the way. The optimal range is considered to be a distance of 3.7 to 5.08 cm.
In general, you should choose a handlebar, such as clothing, to fit. Of course, in addition to the dimensions, other parameters must also be taken into account, such as: the material of the steering wheel cover, the number of spokes (3 spokes are considered optimal), the type of fasteners and the presence of control units and airbags on the steering wheel. The size of the handlebars up to 38 centimeters is considered comfortable.
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
Yes, the steering and handling of the car are very important. And even in the size of the “steering wheel” the driver should understand. The AvtoVzglyad portal discovered why it is so important to know the dimensions of your car’s steering wheel.
Like everywhere in the car, everything depends on everything! The handling of a vehicle is thus a combination and the right balance between technology, different mechanisms, suspension components, tires, driving ability and of course the size and shape of the steering wheel. Moreover, it is mainly the dimensions of the “steering wheel” that are important.
Modern cars from the factory are equipped with a fairly comfortable steering wheel. Smooth “doughnuts” are becoming less common. Steering with anatomical tides, truncated steering in all possible ways and of course rims in different sizes are in fashion. But in fact, it turns out that not all design and anatomical solutions are good. The same steering wheels, truncated from below or above, prove extremely inconvenient when maneuvering in tight parking spaces, where the steering wheels of the most ordinary round shape, even without anatomical tides in the grip areas, prove to be much more convenient . And not all sizes are ergonomic.
Some car owners – either on a whim or in pursuit of the spectacular interior of their car – without hesitation, and above all, regardless of the calculations of engineers, throw away the old round “steering wheel” and install a steering wheel with a smaller and sometimes larger diameter. What is the risk?
Let’s start with the fact that the correct handlebar size definitely affects driving comfort. Are you using a smaller handlebar? Be prepared to put in more effort to manage it. This change is especially noticeable on machines without power steering. Did you choose a bigger “steering wheel”? Well, don’t complain that you can’t see part of the dash behind it, and when you turn, it rubs your legs.
The optimum size for passenger cars with hydro or electric power steering is a steering wheel diameter of 32 to 33 centimeters. As a result, taxiing does not become tedious, unnecessarily energy-consuming and, above all, the car does not lose controllability.
Well, now let’s look at the approximate size range of the steering wheels. “Esochka”, or in other words, the size “S” is the smallest size related to sports steering wheels. The diameter of such a “steering wheel” is from 31 to 37 cm. Then comes the size “M” with a diameter of 37 to 38 cm. This is the standard size for cars. A diameter of 38 to 42 cm is a non-standard, which is quite common in mass production cars. For crossovers and SUVs, the standard size is “XL” with a rim diameter of 42-43 cm. Large sizes “2XL” and “3XL” with a diameter of 47 to 49 centimeters are installed on trucks.
In practice, however, we have come across handlebars that are much smaller and do not fit this generally accepted size chart at all. By the way, when choosing a “steering wheel”, one more parameter should be taken into account – departure. To make it clearer, look at the handlebars from above from the side of the rim. And you immediately notice that the center of the handlebar is not in the same plane as the rim. This difference in distance is the departure. The paddles and control levers for vehicle systems located below the steering wheel must be easily accessible to the driver’s fingers. Too much overhang means you need to stretch. Too small – the levers are in the way. The optimal range is considered to be a distance of 3.7 to 5.08 cm.
In general, you should choose a handlebar, such as clothing, to fit. Of course, in addition to the dimensions, other parameters must also be taken into account, such as: the material of the steering wheel cover, the number of spokes (3 spokes are considered optimal), the type of fasteners and the presence of control units and airbags on the steering wheel. The size of the handlebars up to 38 centimeters is considered comfortable.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
