If you don’t know what a quick-release steering wheel is, you’re missing out on a fun little accessory. This performance aftermarket part has many uses, and it looks good too.
In the guide, I’m going to look into what the quick-release steering wheel is, its advantages and disadvantages, and wether or not it is safe.
What is a Quick-Release Steering Wheel?
The quick-release steering wheel is an aftermarket performance part that quickly detaches from the steering column.
The quick-release wheel is attached with pins, push or pull rings, or cams as opposed to a hidden nut. Many of these steering wheels are universally used on race cars.
In race cars, the quick-release wheel can be used as a response to emergencies. It is a quick method of detaching the steering wheel in case a driver needs to exit their vehicle in an emergency.
Considering many drivers have to deal with race suits and helmets, anything that speeds up the process of exit will only be beneficial for drivers.
The quick-release wheel has also grown in popularity in everyday cars. There are certainly a variety of reasons why drivers think about getting this aftermarket part.
Quick-Release Steering Wheel Pros
#1. Race Car Vibe.
These steering wheels may be very popular among race car drivers, but you don’t have to drive a race car to enjoy them. Even performance-focused cars can get the benefits mechanical quick-release offers with a steering wheel.
If you are a gearhead just looking to give your car a race car vibe with every accessory, then just think of how performance-focused your WRX or Civic could be.
#2. Better Curb Appeal.
Even if a performance automobile is not something you focus on, the steering wheel upgrade adds curb appeal, we suppose. With the variety of styles available, it is an easy add with the aftermarket category you have built just for something new.
Pair it with other aftermarket accessories like a new gear shifter and you might even improve the value of the vehicle. Stepping away from that, you are typically getting something that is lighter weight, which means slightly better acceleration, again not noticeable.
#3. Quick Getaway.
Let’s face it, no one wants to think about what happens when an accident occurs, but you have to think about it. IN an accident, you don’t want something as simple as the steering wheel keeping you trapped in the car.
With the removable steering wheel, you could free yourself of these situations. For a little bit more money you could even press a button for quick detachment.
#4. Added Protection.
Every single car needs a steering wheel to operate. So, if there is no steering wheel, a thief will have a hard time stealing your car.
To begin with, anyone looking into the car to see if it is a candidate for stealing is going to keep looking at another car.
They are not going to want to invest the time to figure out what is going on. BUT, just make sure that you stored the pin in a secure place, if you take off the steering wheel you will have an issue putting it back together.
Quick-Release Steering Wheel Cons
#1. Loosen Over Time.
Since the steering wheel is built differently, it may not hold up as well over time. After numerous disconnects and re-connects, the parts could end up loosening.
What you might see is that the ride isn’t quite as precise. If that is an issue, the only solution is to replace it, which will end up costing you money.
#2. More Components.
So, there’s even more stuff involved with the quick-release steering wheel. For one, there’s the steering wheel’s hub that lives under the steering wheel, it’s heavy and happens to loosen over time.
There’s also the quick-release feature itself to deal with. There are different types of quick-release and they all have their own pros and cons.
You also have to think about the connectors you are using. Some connectors will have the other parts looser sooner than you expected.
For all these reasons, you’ll have bigger repair bills when things go bad or if you need to replace something bad.
Someone has to know all about these steering wheel and parts. So if you cannot do the work yourself, you’ll pay a higher labor cost, and it may take more time and that will get added to the bill.
#3. Legal Parameters.
Quick-release wheels may indeed be on the rise in popularity, but that doesn’t mean they legal everywhere you drive. If you happen to be located in California or New York for example, you could be put in a predicament by putting on a quick release wheel.
It’s probably best to check your local laws and to discuss with the state’s department of motor vehicles; as it relates to making any aftermarket modifications such as this one.
Otherwise, all your time and money could be down the drain and you could face a significant fine for the violation.
Are Quick-Release Steering Wheels Safe?
So, you may or may not know that when you put on a quick-release steering wheel, you are essentially removing the air bag that is in your OEM wheel. This is why it’s unsafe to use one after-market.
If, by chance, you have an accident, you may hit your head off the steering wheel, which is what the air bag is meant to prevent.
But there’s plenty of people that drive with a removable wheel every day that have been in an accident and have never touched the steering wheel. That would be because 1) the driver was sitting far enough away from the steering wheel and/or 2) the seatbelt was doing its job.
The second safety consideration is the possibility of the wheel coming off while driving. There is always the possibly of defective parts making this a reality and you are holding the steering wheel while driving down the road.
That might be funny in cartoons, but not on a busy freeway. If you want a successful quick-release situation, then simply buy a quality wheel first, and get it installed properly.