| All interior surfaces can be replaced, Leather is a | | | | are smaller in size than standard wheels and this |
| popular option, but there are other types of fabric | | | | can affect the control you have over the car |
| including Fur for those brave ones amongst you. | | | | particularly if you do not have power steering. |
| Sit down and carefully plan what you are going to | | | | Simple rules of leverage apply here and this is |
| do, take a look at show cars to get some ideas | | | | why older cars without power steering have such |
| of what to do. Keep the overall theme of the car | | | | large steering wheels. You should also aim to get |
| - the interior should match the exterior theme. A | | | | a wheel with a central hub that is wider than your |
| motorsport style exterior would not go very well | | | | steering column. |
| with a luxury interior and the converse is also | | | | Steering wheel covers can make a dull wheel look |
| true, a motorsport interior would look out of place | | | | more sporty but most implementations We have |
| on a luxury car. A wide variety of gauge styles | | | | seen look really tacky. There are some good |
| are available from chrome and polished housing to | | | | quality leather covers which require stitching. |
| carbon fibre and even complete digital dashboards | | | | The steering wheel is the most used control in |
| which look fantastic at night look the business. | | | | your car, so get one you just can't keep your |
| Even aircraft style heads up displays projected | | | | hands off. |
| onto the windscreen are possible. | | | | Safety - many steering wheels are attached in |
| Adding dials and gauges can actually add function | | | | the centre with metal rivets or nuts. In a crash |
| as well as form, allowing you to monitor engine oil | | | | these will cause nasty cuts and puncture wounds |
| pressure, temperature, boost, economy, voltages | | | | unless they are recessed deep within the housing. |
| etc... Be sure to only add the dials you will use - | | | | The force of your head rushing forward will not |
| less is definitely more otherwise your interior will | | | | usually be stopped by the plastic surround and |
| end up looking like the inside of a 1980's space | | | | you will make contact with the metal nut. Cars |
| ship in a B grade movie. | | | | with air bags will usually need the air bag |
| Complement the dashboard dials and plastic | | | | removing, and this can cause a warning light to |
| makeover with a new sporty steering wheel, gear | | | | appear in the dashboard. If you are in doubt |
| knob and pedals. Drilled aluminum pedals go with | | | | consult an auto electrician and your cars |
| most car interiors but again all types are available | | | | maintenance handbook. |
| and choosing pedals with a wider footprint opens | | | | Car horns can also be a problem. In some car |
| up the possibility of heel and toe gear changes to | | | | models the horn is on a separate stalk but with |
| most car types (and foot sizes). | | | | most modern cars a button within the steering |
| The standard dials can usually be replaced easily | | | | wheel operates the horn. When buying a new |
| by removing the instrument panel and overlaying | | | | steering wheel you will need to check if it has a |
| a pre-printed panel. White backgrounds are popular | | | | horn built in and if it comes with suitable wiring. As |
| and these have the added advantage of being | | | | a horn is just a couple of simple contacts it should |
| easily seen at night. Strangely when the dash | | | | not present much of a wiring challenge. |
| illumination turns on at night the numbers will glow | | | | A wheel with a flat bottom imitates formula one |
| and the white background will go dark, at least | | | | wheels which need to allow the driver as much |
| that was the effect in my Corolla. Companies sell | | | | leg room as possible. There is no real practical |
| complete instrument binnacles, or kits to convert | | | | reason to have a flat bottomed steering wheel in |
| the standard one. Most will require some | | | | a car other than the fact it looks cool |
| disassembly of the dashboard to install. | | | | Steering wheels with digital readouts such as mph, |
| Seats come in all shapes and sizes. Beware of | | | | rpm, oil pressure, fuel look very nice but there |
| light colours as these can be very difficult to keep | | | | are some drawbacks. They cost a fortune and |
| clean (although they do look fantastic. It is | | | | they can be a real challenge to wire up as they |
| beneficial to choose similar colours and materials | | | | need to be connected to various senders around |
| to the other surfaces in your car so bear this in | | | | the car. You are better off getting some gauges |
| mind when planning the car interior. Retro looks | | | | and having these fitted to the car instead. |
| tend to last much longer than modern quirky | | | | Most steering wheels come as a kit with an |
| looks but will not be as revolutionary. | | | | adapter ring to allow it to fit your car. Ask for |
| STEERING WHEEL | | | | this at the time of your purchase. As you can |
| Fitting an aftermarket steering wheel adds class. | | | | see , there is a massive selection of styles to |
| The most used control in the car is the steering | | | | choose from. So decide in advance what theme |
| wheel (we hope!). Why not upgrade this essential | | | | you are going with and look for the right steering |
| component and go with something more visually | | | | rather than just buying the first on you see. |
| appealing. Is this an easy job and what pitfalls are | | | | We also suggest an easier route to upgrade your |
| there in fitting an aftermarket steering wheel | | | | steering wheel and retain your air bag. Get a |
| Looking for inspiration many aftermarket steering | | | | steering wheel from a performance model of car |
| wheel makers look to the world of Motorsports | | | | from your manufacturer as these are usually a |
| for inspiration. Motorsport wheels are bare, and | | | | straight swap. They are nice and chunky and still |
| usually made from metal and plastic. Some have | | | | use an airbag. There are usually many examples |
| information displays in them and other have a flat | | | | and suitable donors in breakers yards around the |
| base. | | | | country. You have the reassurance of knowing |
| You can choose between a 1,2,3 or 4 spoke | | | | that they will fit and be compatible. |
| style, there are steering wheels with flat bottoms, | | | | Race and motorsport cars have a quick steering |
| square steering wheels and aircraft style open | | | | rack (one which goes from full left lock to full |
| steering wheels. There is also a wide variety of | | | | right lock in 2-3 turns, whereas most cars will |
| colours and materials available with leather, carbon | | | | take 4-5 turns of the wheel). A motorsport wheel |
| fibre and brushed steel becoming the popular | | | | is usually marked to show the top in a contrasting |
| choices. But which are the best choice? What | | | | colour to help the driver reflexively get the |
| problems are encountered with custom steering | | | | correct amount of lock on the wheel as the |
| wheels and are they difficult to fit? | | | | margin for error is much reduced. |
| Generally speaking, aftermarket steering wheels | | | | |