How To Fix A Locked Steering Wheel

How To Fix A Locked Steering Wheel

When you lock your car, the steering wheel is supposed to lock with it. But what happens if it doesn’t? Nothing good. You have a locked car that won’t start because the steering wheel doesn’t unlock with the rest of the car. A locked steering column in your car means that someone can’t get into your car without breaking something or using some sort of trick to get in. That’s great for security, but not so great when you need to get into your own car. However, there are instances where locking your steering wheel may be useful. we will explain how you can fix a locked steering wheel and why it happened in the first place.

How To Fix A Locked Steering Wheel

Check Your Tires

A flat tire can make your steering wheel lock. If you hit a pothole and get a flat tire, your steering wheel won’t be able to turn freely. That’s because your car’s suspension system relies on the pressure in your tires to function properly. If you lose that pressure, your steering wheel will get stuck. If your tire drops below the acceptable pressure, you’ll be driving on a road hazard and risk getting a flat tire. Driving with low tire pressure can also damage your car, so it’s worth checking the pressure in all your tires to see if that’s causing the problem. If you want to check your tire pressure, you can do it at home with an inexpensive tire pressure gauge. Make sure to check all four tires, including the spare tire if you have one. You may be surprised by how low the pressures are on some tires. If a flat tire is causing your steering wheel to lock, you can easily fix it by inflating the tire.

Pull The Emergency Brake

If you got your car serviced recently, you might have experienced something like this: The mechanic may have pulled the emergency brake while working on your car. This isn’t just to irritate you, but to make sure your car doesn’t roll away. When the emergency brake is engaged, it locks the wheels and prevents them from turning. If a mechanic accidentally pulled the emergency brake while working on your car, but didn’t engage the lock, your steering wheel will be stuck. You can fix this problem by pulling the emergency brake again. You can find the emergency brake next to the parking brake. It will probably be red and have the word “emergency” written on it. If you own a car, you should know where the emergency brake is. You can also ask a mechanic to show you where it is. Make sure to check if the emergency brake is engaged or not. If it isn’t, you can engage in it while driving. However, don’t stay on it for too long as it could damage your car’s brake system.

Unlock Your Steering Wheel With The Key

If you have an older car model, you might be able to unlock your steering wheel with the key. This trick won’t work on all cars, but it’s worth trying if you’re stuck. First, make sure that there’s no one around to watch you do this. You can’t let just anyone know about this trick, as it could be dangerous in the wrong hands. Many car owners don’t even know about this trick, and it can come in handy in a pinch. If you drive a Ford model made before 2013 or a Jaguar model made before 2010, you can try this trick. Before you attempt this method, make sure that no one is around to see you do it. You don’t want to let just anyone know how to unlock your steering wheel.

What Can Cause A Locked Steering Wheel?

Your Tires Are Locked

When your tires are locked, they are frozen in place. This can happen both on a moving vehicle and while the car is parked. If you’re driving and hit the ice, snow, or some other slippery substance, your tires may lock up and make steering very difficult. If your car is parked on ice or snow, your tires may freeze to the ground, making it difficult to move the vehicle. If you attempt to drive with tires that are locked, it may cause you to skid and lose control of your vehicle. If your tires are locked while driving, you may be able to remedy the situation by turning the steering wheel in the direction you want to go. This may cause your tires to spin, which could create a lot of smoke, but it could also help you break free from the ice or snow. If your tires are locked while parked on ice or snow, you may need assistance from a tow truck or other vehicle to get your car unstuck.

Your Steering Wheel Is Broken

A broken steering wheel is most likely a problem that you’ll notice before you even get into the car. You may notice that your steering wheel is bent or that it has come apart. You may also notice that the steering wheel is cracked or broken in other ways. All of these issues could make it difficult to turn your steering wheel. If your steering wheel is broken, you could also have problems moving your car with the automatic gearshift has become damaged. Make sure you’re extra careful when driving until you get your vehicle fixed. If your steering wheel is broken, it is much more than an inconvenience; it is a potential safety hazard. Driving with a damaged steering wheel is extremely dangerous, as you may not be able to control your vehicle properly and stop your vehicle in an emergency. You may need to find another way to get to work and other places until your car is repaired.

There’s Something Wrong With Your Brakes Or Steering

If something is wrong with your brakes or steering, it could cause your steering wheel to lock up. You may find yourself unable to turn your steering wheel, or you may find that it locks up when you are driving at certain speeds. This can make it very dangerous to drive, so you should always take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible to get it checked out. If you find that your steering wheel is locked, you should immediately pull over and call for help. You should call for help even if you’re not certain what is causing the steering wheel to lock. You may need to call for a tow truck, and you should let someone know where you are. You should be prepared to abandon your car if necessary.

How To Fix A Sticky Steering Wheel?

The steering wheel may get stuck if the parts inside the mechanism that allow it to rotate become worn or broken.

  1.  First, you should try to jiggle the steering wheel to make sure that it isn’t just jammed from dirt or debris.

  2.  If that doesn’t work, remove the screws from the steering wheel and clean the mechanism inside to dislodge any buildup. 

  3. You can spray WD-40 inside the mechanism to help clean it out and make it easier to turn. If that doesn’t work, you may need to have the mechanism or the entire steering column replaced.

How To Fix A Broken Or Slipping Steering Wheel? 

  • A broken or slipping steering wheel can be dangerous, especially if you are driving down the road at high speed. If the wheel is broken, it is best to have it repaired right away.

  •  If you don’t have the money to pay for repairs, there are a few things you can try. You can purchase a steering wheel wrap to cover up the broken area or use duct tape to cover the broken pieces.

  •  If the wheel is just too loose, you can tighten the wheel with a wrench.

Conclusion

A locked steering wheel can be really frustrating, especially if you are in a rush and need to get somewhere quickly. Luckily, there are a few things you can try to fix a locked steering wheel. The steering wheel could become locked for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is that the emergency brake was left on or the parking brake was applied. The steering wheel may also become locked if the ignition is left in the “on” position with the key turned to the “lock” position. If this happens, the steering wheel will remain locked until the ignition is turned off.