Steering wheels are one of the most important components of a car because it controls the direction of the car’s movement. Because of the crucial role that they play in the car, steering usually wears out over time and may need to be changed.
If you are considering changing your car’s steering wheel, then the question that you are probably asking yourself is: are steering wheels universal? If that is the case, then today you are in the right place. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the car steering wheel.
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So, are steering wheels universal?
A simple answer is NO, steering wheels are not universal. Steering wheels from different car manufacturers differ in terms of size, the diameter of the shaft, fitting of the airbag, and the number of splines. There is also a big difference in steering column construction and the main bolt that holds the wheel.
For instance, a Nissan airbag cannot fit into a Toyota steering wheel. This means that a Nissan steering wheel cannot be interchanged with a Toyota steering wheel.
Therefore, if you are thinking of replacing your car steering wheel, make sure you check the specifications and dimensions.
Do steering wheels have a universal size?
No, steering wheel size is not universal, they are available in different sizes depending on their use. Regular car steering wheels have a diameter of between 14 and 15 inches. Racing cars, on the other hand, have a steering wheel diameter of between 12.6 and 13.8 inches.
Before the invention of power steering, the size of the steering was greatly influenced by the vehicle’s weight. Bigger cars had bigger steering wheels while smaller cars had smaller steering wheels.
This was done to make the car comfortable and not feel heavy to the driver while driving. But that is not the case anymore, thanks to the invention of power steering.
With power steering, the weight of the car does not affect the comfort of the steering wheel. It lightens the steering when allowing the driver to drive easily regardless of the size of the car. Nowadays, the size of the steering wheel is not based on the size of the car.
Factors that determine steering wheel size
Cabin size
One of the factors that determine the size of the steering wheel is the cabin size. The cabin area of the car is related to the ergonomics of the car.
The main reason why cabin size is considered when determining the size of steering size is because of comfort and performance.
Generally, vehicles with smaller cabins usually have small steering wheels while cars with larger cabin sizes usually have a large steering wheel.
Turning radius
The turning radius is the minimum width or diameter of the available space required for a car to make a U-turn. Different types of cars have different turning radii.
For instance, small cars have a small turning radius while big cars have a wide turning radius. This means that steering wheel size differs depending on the vehicle’s turning radius.
Car type
Car type also plays a crucial role in determining the steering wheel size. Typically, regular cars have larger steering wheels than the size of steering wheels used for racing cars.
Can I fit an aftermarket steering wheel?
An aftermarket steering wheel is a replacement steering wheel that was not made by the original manufacturer. If your steering wheel is damaged or broken, the best option for most motorists is to replace it with an aftermarket steering wheel. Some people also change their steering wheel because they prefer a different color or design.
Now, to answer the question, YES, you can fit an aftermarket steering wheel to your car. However, it is important to note that not all aftermarket steering wheels fit all cars.
Aftermarket steering wheels have a big difference in steering column construction and the main bolt that holds the wheel. So, if you are thinking of buying an aftermarket steering wheel for your car, you need to check the specifications and dimensions to ensure that it is compatible with your car.
Final thoughts
If you were wondering whether steering wheels are universal, we hope that this article has answered your question. Steering wheels are not universal.
They differ in many aspects as mentioned above and thus cannot be interchanged. If your steering wheel is damaged and you are planning to replace it with an aftermarket steering wheel, make sure it is compatible with your car model.
