A removable steering wheel can prevent car theft and is easily carried by the owner. However, it is illegal to replace an airbag-equipped steering wheel with a non-airbag-equipped one, and racing-style quick-release steering wheels are not legal on street-driving vehicles. The steering wheel should also be positioned correctly and have a cover to protect the exposed steering stem.
A removable steering wheel is used to thwart a car thief and help prevent vehicle loss. Commonly attached to the vehicle’s steering column with a custom releasable hub, the removable steering wheel is easily carried with the vehicle owner when the car is parked or can be commonly stored in the vehicle’s trunk. While there are several different manufacturers of the removable steering wheel, most include a custom, high-visibility cover to fit over the steering column when the steering wheel is removed. This cover is intended to alert a potential car thief that the vehicle will not be drivable if he attempts to proceed with a theft.
One thing that people should keep in mind when discussing the purchase of a removable steering wheel is that it is illegal in most areas to replace an airbag-equipped steering wheel with a non-airbag-equipped steering wheel. Although there are several manufacturers that market a detachable airbag-equipped steering wheel, they can be very expensive and difficult to install. If you choose to install one of these kits on a vehicle, it’s best to leave it to a professional. There are also other laws that directly affect the installation of a removable steering wheel that should be investigated before installing a kit on any vehicle.
For the most part, racing-style quick-release steering wheels are not legal on street-driving vehicles. This type of unit incorporates a hex or splined shaft that is welded to the existing steering shaft once the steering wheel has been removed. The hub is attached to the steering wheel by three bolts and slides onto the steering shaft shaft and is released by pressing a pin in the side of the hub. For a removable steering wheel to be street legal in most areas, the hub must require a wrench to turn the locking mechanism that releases the steering wheel from the steering shaft.
Another consideration before purchasing a kit for any vehicle is that most release kits position the steering wheel closer to the driver on any given vehicle. This is not a problem in all cases, however it can be a problem on vehicles with a narrow driver’s compartment. A quality release kit will also incorporate a steering column cover that protects and conceals the exposed steering stem when the removable steering wheel is out of the column. This prevents a determined thief from using another implement, such as locking pliers, to drive the vehicle.
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