August 3, 2023 BY
IN Steering Wheels

Choosing the right steering wheel for your car isn’t just a cosmetic decision—it directly affects handling, driving comfort, and even safety. Whether upgrading for better control, aesthetics, or replacing a worn-out stock wheel, understanding the different materials, sizes, ergonomic features, and compatibility requirements is key to making the right investment.

This guide walks through the main considerations every buyer should evaluate before purchasing a steering wheel, drawing on insights from industry experts, manufacturers, and automotive safety guidelines.

1. Material: Feel Meets Function

The material of the steering wheel affects grip, longevity, comfort, and driving feedback. Common materials include:

  • Leather: Offers a premium feel and is the most common material in mid- to high-end vehicles. It provides good grip and temperature resistance. High-quality leather wheels, such as those from Momo or Sparco, are known for durability.
  • Polyurethane/Plastic: Often found in entry-level vehicles. It’s inexpensive but tends to wear faster and can become slippery.
  • Suede/Alcantara: Used mainly in racing or high-performance vehicles due to superior grip, especially with gloves. However, it wears quickly and requires maintenance.
  • Wood: Adds a vintage or classic aesthetic, often found in luxury or retrofitted vehicles. Though elegant, wood can be slippery and less practical for everyday driving.

According to vehicle ergonomics researcher Bubb and Helander (2003), tactile feel significantly impacts driver fatigue and vehicle control over time, with leather and textured composites outperforming smooth plastic and wood in usability tests (Ergonomics in Automotive Design, CRC Press).

2. Size: Diameter and Thickness

Steering wheel size affects your turning radius, driving posture, and responsiveness. Standard diameters range from 14 to 15 inches (355–380 mm), but racing and performance wheels may be as small as 12.5 inches.

Smaller wheels offer quicker steering response and are ideal for performance driving. However, they require more effort during low-speed maneuvers unless paired with power steering.

Larger wheels offer more leverage, which is useful in vehicles without power steering, such as older trucks or classic cars.

Thickness or grip circumference also matters. Thicker grips provide more comfort for larger hands and improve control under spirited driving. The optimal grip thickness varies from 30 mm to 40 mm, with driver comfort peaking at 35 mm for most users (Stein, 2011, Driver-Vehicle Interaction and Ergonomics).

3. Compatibility: Fitment and Safety Systems

Before purchasing, it’s vital to check whether the new steering wheel is compatible with your car’s hub, steering column, and electronic systems.

  • Bolt pattern: Steering wheels are attached via a bolt pattern, commonly 6-bolt (used by brands like Nardi, Momo, and OMP). Make sure the hub adapter matches both the wheel and the car’s spline pattern.
  • Airbags: Most aftermarket steering wheels do not support airbags. Removing an airbag-equipped steering wheel can void insurance and violate local safety regulations. As noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 2017), tampering with airbag systems can result in safety risks and legal liabilities.
  • Steering wheel controls: If your vehicle has integrated buttons for audio, cruise control, or infotainment, switching to a basic aftermarket wheel may eliminate these features unless you opt for a CAN-bus-compatible wheel with button integration.

In vehicles post-2010, steering wheels are increasingly embedded in electronic systems. Consulting your vehicle’s service manual or a specialist installer is advised to ensure compliance and functionality.

4. Ergonomics: Comfort and Driving Posture

Ergonomics is often overlooked but critically important. The wheel should allow for a natural 9 and 3 o’clock hand position without strain. Dish depth (distance from mounting face to centerline of the wheel) affects driver reach and comfort:

  • Flat wheels: Minimal dish depth (0–1.5 inches) suitable for modern cars with telescoping columns.
  • Deep dish wheels: Offer extended reach and are popular in motorsports and drift setups. However, they can compromise posture in street cars.

Grips with thumb contours and indentations can reduce wrist fatigue on long drives. According to Mehta and Diaz (2015) in their study “Ergonomic Analysis of Automotive Steering Wheels” (SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-0490), drivers using ergonomically contoured wheels reported 22% less wrist strain over two-hour driving tests compared to flat-profile wheels.

5. Style and Use Case: Match Purpose with Design

While aesthetics play a role, consider the intended use of the vehicle:

  • Daily driving: Opt for comfort, standard sizing, and materials like leather or synthetic blends.
  • Track/racing: Choose a lightweight, smaller diameter wheel with high-grip materials like Alcantara or suede, ideally with a flat bottom for quick hand transitions.
  • Off-road/utility: Larger diameter wheels with thick grips offer better control over rugged terrain.

Also consider spoke design (two-spoke, three-spoke, D-shaped) based on visibility and leg clearance. Some performance drivers prefer flat-bottomed wheels to aid ingress and egress while enhancing pedal-room clearance.

Before modifying a steering wheel, it’s essential to understand local roadworthiness standards. In countries like the UK, any modification affecting airbag systems must be declared to insurers and pass MOT tests.

Similarly, in the U.S., the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) prohibit the removal of airbags in road-registered vehicles manufactured after 1998. Check your region’s transport authority for specific guidelines.

Conclusion

Selecting the right steering wheel requires more than matching color and size—it’s about function, safety, and driving experience. With the right knowledge and attention to compatibility, material, and ergonomics, you can upgrade to a wheel that enhances both aesthetics and performance.

Whether you’re racing on weekends or just looking to personalize your daily driver, the steering wheel is one of the most tactile and impactful modifications you can make.

References

  • Bubb, H., & Helander, M. (2003). Ergonomics in Automotive Design. CRC Press.
  • Mehta, V., & Diaz, R. (2015). Ergonomic Analysis of Automotive Steering Wheels. SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-0490.
  • Stein, A. (2011). Driver-Vehicle Interaction and Ergonomics. Springer.
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2017). Airbag Safety and Modification Guidelines.
  • Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). (2020). MOT Testing Guide: Section 7 – Steering