I want a closer steering wheel.

"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth) 09/22/2013 at 19:01 • Filed to: None

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This is my steering wheel (the pictured one isn't mine, but its the same one). My problem is that the steering wheel is too far, but the pedals are too close, so I end up sitting far away, and I want my steering wheel to be closer, however they don't adjust. Would putting an aftermarket steering wheel like the one pictured below, with a deep offset make my steering wheel closer?

Redd, the RX-7 that could > TurboSloth 09/22/2013 at 19:05

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I just tilted my seat more upright, worked wonders for me.

Mattbob > TurboSloth 09/22/2013 at 19:06

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Don't take this the wrong way, but you would be removing a life saving device for a minor comfort upgrade. Unless you have a racing harness, I wouldn't do it.

TurboSloth > Mattbob 09/22/2013 at 19:12

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I was thinking about replacing my seats/harnesses as well if I did remove my wheel. Don't worry.

MrBillG59 > TurboSloth 09/22/2013 at 21:23

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Yeah! You adjust your seat front-back to handle your leg to pedal distance, then you tilt the seatback to allow your arms to reach the wheel.

DocWalt > TurboSloth 09/22/2013 at 22:42

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Yes, but you'd be losing the airbag. Losing the airbag means you need a harness which means you need a cage. Not worth it.

For the record, I hate that so much about cars. The wheel is never close enough.

nlzmo400r > TurboSloth 09/23/2013 at 00:25

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Instead of replacing the wheel, what about machining an adapter to place the wheel closer to your ideal driving position, thus retaining the airbag and functions/controls on the wheel?

TurboSloth > MrBillG59 09/23/2013 at 07:58

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The seat is already back, and the seat is tilted to the front all the way. I can reach the wheel, but it's insanely uncomfortable.

TurboSloth > nlzmo400r 09/23/2013 at 07:59

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Because I don't know anything about machining parts. Nor do I know anywhere that sells an adapter to place the wheel closer to my arms.

Experimental Matter > TurboSloth 05/13/2014 at 08:47

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I know exactly what you are talking about. The problem is how far apart the pedals and steering wheel are. In almost all cars today, they are too close together. A generation ago most cars seemed to have their pedals and steering wheel much further apart. These days, even with a telescopic steering wheel extended all the way out, it's not far enough away form the pedals. As others have suggested, tilt the seat back up to bring your arms closer - but as you probably know, you feel too upright and unsupported in this position.

I will now speculate which forces brought about this industry-wide change over the last 30 or so years:

1) air-bags - they need room to deploy

2) accident statistics: the more reclined the driver, the less alert

3) more Asian cars: design influenced by smaller median passenger sizes

So, what is a gangly 6-foot-plus driver to do? Either buy an American 1970's car, or add a spacer to your steering wheel, or have a shop modify your brake, gas, and clutch pedals to be about an inch or two shorter so your legs can extend further beyond the steering wheel.

Good luck!