Tilt & Telescopic Steering Wheel - Detailed Feature Explained | V3Cars

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Tilt And Telescopic Adjustable Steering Wheels?

Tilt and telescopic steering wheels offer a significant improvement in driver comfort and ergonomics compared to fixed steering wheels. However, they come with some drawbacks to consider. Let's delve into the pros and cons to help you decide if they're right for you.

Pros:

• Enhanced Comfort: Tilt and telescopic steering wheels allow for a wider range of adjustment, enabling drivers of various heights and physiques to find a comfortable driving position. This reduces strain on the back, shoulders, and arms, especially during long journeys.
• Improved Safety: A well-adjusted steering wheel allows for better control of the vehicle. By finding a comfortable position where you can easily reach the wheel and pedals, you can react faster in emergency situations.
• Easier Ingress and Egress: Tilting the steering wheel upwards when parked can create more space for easier entry and exit, particularly beneficial for taller individuals or those with limited mobility.
• Increased Legroom: In some cases, telescoping the steering wheel inwards can create extra legroom for taller drivers, offering a more spacious driving experience.

Cons:

• Cost: Vehicles with tilt and telescopic steering wheels typically cost more than those with fixed options. Upgrading an existing car might also be expensive depending on the make and model.
• Safety Concerns During Installation: Improper aftermarket installations can compromise the safety of the airbag deployment system. Opting for factory-installed tilt and telescopic steering or professional installation is crucial.
• Potential for Limited Adjustability: While they offer more adjustability than fixed steering wheels, some models might not have enough range to accommodate all body types perfectly.
• Cargo Space Limitations: In rare cases, telescoping mechanisms might slightly intrude on cargo space behind the dashboard.

How Does A Tilt And Telescopic Adjustable Steering Wheel Work?

A tilt-adjustable steering wheel allows the driver to adjust the steering wheel’s height (up or down) along an arc using a ratchet lever or electronic buttons on the side of the steering column. Electronic steering adjustment is only available in very expensive cars and most cars in India offer a mechanical latch/lever to manually adjust the steering. Most cars sold in India have an adjustable steering column; very often, of the tilting variety.

A telescopic steering wheel is very similar to a tilt steering wheel, as in, it provides varying degrees of adjustability. However, they offer a wider range of heights and can move forwards or backwards for easy reachability. Essentially, all telescopic steering wheels have tilt adjustability. However, the same cannot be said the other way around.

To move the steering wheel up or down, and forwards or backwards, you need to release a ratchet lever located directly below the column. Then, you can adjust the steering wheel’s reach and height to find a comfortable spot. Once you find a suitable position, you can push the lever back to lock the steering in its place.

For shorter drivers, adjusting the steering wheel to the lowest position provides a comfortable spot with better forward visibility. For taller drivers, adjusting the steering wheel to the highest positions could make getting in and out of the car easier as your knees would not be brushing against the wheel.

How Expensive Is It To Repair Or Replace A Tilt And Telescopic Adjustable Steering Wheel?

Replacing a steering column or upgrading to a tilt and telescopic steering wheel can be a significant investment. Costs typically range from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 (or more) depending on your car's make, model, and the chosen replacement parts.

Electronically-adjustable steering columns, common in luxury and high-end cars, tend to be more expensive due to the complex components and the ongoing global chip shortage.

Several factors can necessitate a steering column replacement:

• Loss of Self-Centering: If your steering wheel no longer automatically returns to center position after a turn, it might indicate a faulty steering column and could be a safety hazard.
• Steering Wheel Noise: Clicking, squeaking, or clunking noises coming from the steering wheel while turning could be signs of worn-out internal components within the steering column.
• Safety Concerns: If your car has been involved in a collision and the steering column is compromised, replacing it is crucial to ensure safe driving.

What Is The Cost Of An Aftermarket Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel?

There are barely any aftermarket brands that build and sell tilt and telescopic steering wheels in India. If your car does not have a tilt or telescopic system, then you should not bother adding an aftermarket adjustment unit as it may affect the car’s reliability.

How Easy Or Complex Is It To Install A Tilt And Telescopic Adjustable Steering Wheel?

Installing a tilt or telescopic steering wheel is a complex process that’s better left to the factories making our cars. It’s a very complex process and you should only think of replacing it in the event of an accident.

What Cars Get A Tilt Steering From The Factory?

Rather than list out cars that get tilt steering from the factory, it would be easier to list out cars that do not get this feature. Most popular budget hatchbacks, such as the Maruti Arena Alto, Hyundai Santro, Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki Celerio and the Maruti WagonR do not get tilt-adjustable steering wheels.

As for telescopic steering wheels, most cars above the Rs 10.0 lakh range offer this feature in their higher variants. Cars and SUVs with telescopic steering wheels include the Skoda Slavia, Honda City, Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV700, among others.

Verdict - Should I Get An Aftermarket Tilt And Telescopic Steering?

A car with a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel is undoubtedly a more comfortable car when compared to one without either feature. If you are in the market for a budget hatchback, chances are you will not find one with a tilt-adjustable steering wheel. You will have to splurge a little more and get a Maruti Nexa Ignis or a Maruti Arena for a tilt-adjustable steering wheel. Finding a car with telescopic steering would require you to spend more than Rs. 10.0 lakh ex-showroom. 

As for how crucial this feature is, it depends on your preferences. Some buyers find even non-adjustable steering at just the right height and a height-adjustable driver seat somewhat make up for the lack of tilt steering. However, if you are a shorter driver, then you should try out a car with this feature to see if you should stretch your budget to accommodate this feature. That said, not having a tilt and telescopic steering wheel does not mean it’s the end of the world. It’s not a must-have feature for budget-conscious buyers.

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