However, fast-changing steering wheels are generally illegal. This is because they are not built with airbags. All steering wheels must be equipped with airbags to be considered legal. They are able to remove the wheel when they get out of the car. Then they will hit them as soon as they get back on track! But are quick-change steering wheels legal for use in everyday vehicles? That`s because it`s technical. Race cars use these thinner steering wheels wrapped in leather and Alcantara for better grip and to help drivers get in and out of the car. In addition to more grip and race car look, this racing steering wheel can usually be quickly detached from its hub with a “quick release” device, so the steering wheel is completely out of the way, allowing the driver, usually dressed in a combination of lights and a helmet, to easily get out of the car. Now that we know what these spare steering wheels are for, you may be wondering why ordinary people in street cars use them. In short, most people use them for safety reasons (since you can`t really steal a car without a steering wheel) and because they look cool. They can also improve the driving experience, as the overall feel of the steering wheel can make it sportier, like a race car.
Airbags are a major safety feature of all modern steering wheels. An accident with an airbag is much less likely to result in death. Without it, an accident is much more likely to be fatal. The OEM steering wheel has gone through all kinds of research and development phases as well as safety testing to give you the best possible driving experience for your car and keep you safe. Why would you want to change that just because it looks cool? If your vehicle is equipped with an airbag as standard, the new steering wheel must also be equipped with an airbag. If it doesn`t come standard with an airbag, you won`t be able to install a replacement steering wheel with an airbag. When a crash test is performed on a vehicle, it is based on standard safety features – vehicles with airbags have different rules than vehicles without airbags – and the design of the steering columns and steering wheels may be different depending on whether the airbags are installed or not. Quick-change steering wheels are not legal in the United States because they do not include an airbag.
Driver airbags are mandatory for any consumer vehicle built after 1989 and are considered a safety obligation if there are none. Since they don`t have an airbag, you can`t put them in your car. This is the law in all 50 states. The federal government has ordered that all steering wheels contain airbags. Anything but that would usually not be a problem. You can upgrade your car so that you can control the audio system. Usually, it`s not too difficult to replace the steering wheel either! In case you change a steering wheel because you feel more comfortable with a different color, configuration or material. Staying on the right side of the law can be a little harder than you think. You must ensure that the replacement steering wheel complies with the appropriate ADR. The steering wheel must not have a diameter of less than 330 mm and, if the original had a recessed or padded hub, the replacement steering wheel must have a similar design. Detachable or quick-change steering wheels are not legal and should only be seen on the race track.
For vehicles manufactured after 1970, the steering wheel must be certified according to ADR 10 standards. If the vehicle is manufactured after June 1995, the steering wheel must be certified according to the ADR 69 (Full Frontal Impact Occupant Protection) standards of the vehicle. In this case, the steering wheel must be certified by the vehicle manufacturer to ensure that it is suitable for that particular vehicle. Whatever ADR you have to comply with, you should always check that the steering wheel is acceptable for your vehicle. Don`t worry about changing your steering wheel to one that has an airbag. As long as he has that, it is not against the law. Fast-changing steering wheels could be dangerous. They are able to get out of the hub without much effort. Therefore, you can remove it while driving. Then you couldn`t turn the car. If you`re really looking for the look and feel of the race car for your car, a spare steering wheel could give your car that feel. Although it may not be a good idea for security reasons.
Considering that you will lose your airbag and steering wheel mounted controls, we would not tolerate replacing your steering wheel. It may seem that rules and regulations sometimes go too far.