Have you ever tried to spin the wheel while the engine wasn’t running, only to have it lock up? Your steering wheel lock is now being activated.

Most contemporary vehicles come with steering locks as a theft deterrent. Knowing how they operate, how to unlock them in your automobile, and what to do in case of trouble is helpful. Let’s look at it.

What does steering lock mean?

When the engine is shut off, a device located beneath the steering column locks the steering wheel into position. It keeps it from turning and needs to be unlocked with the ignition key. As a result, even if someone hotwires your automobile, they will only be able to move it in the direction that the steering wheel is pointed.

Stuck steering lock? Why this occurs?

Even though it’s a purposeful feature, the lock occasionally sticks accidentally. Let’s examine a few potential problems:

1. A lock bar flaw.

This can be the result of a flaw in the manufacturing process or of sudden turns that might have damaged the steering lock and made it become stuck.

2. The steering wheel banged.

It means that rotating the key alone won’t disengage it, and you’ll need to perform the procedure below to release it if you happen to knock or turn the steering wheel while the key is out of the ignition, such as by holding onto it for stability as you exit the vehicle.

What causes the steering wheel to lock?

The steering lock provides a physical barrier that prevents the wheel from spinning, similar to a deadbolt on a door. It is secured behind the ignition cylinder with security screws, making it difficult to unbolt.

When the key is removed, a simple spring-loaded mechanism causes the tab to extend into the steering column. It won’t retract until the key is reinserted and turned in the ignition.

The causes of a locked steering wheel

Your steering wheel may not turn for a variety of reasons aside from the lock. Therefore, the following possibilities exist if you tried turning your key but the steering wheel remained locked:

ignition switch cylinder that is stuck. Your lock cylinder may seize up over time as a result of grit and debris or a lack of lubrication. You won’t be able to unlock the steering wheel if you can’t spin the key. To get it moving, try spritzing with lubricant and canned air to remove any dirt. You can check to see if the key patterns match by comparing your primary key to your backup key and seeing if your key blade has worn down. If they don’t, your key and possibly your key barrel are worn out.

Getting the steering wheel unlocked

When you have the car key, unlocking the steering wheel is rather simple and just necessitates a few quick actions.

Put the ignition on first, then, depending on which way the steering wheel is pointing, pull it down to the left or right. Turn the key while holding the steering wheel in place to release it. The goal is to apply pressure to the wheel while you turn the key; if that doesn’t work, try gently sliding the wheel from side to side.

It’s a similar remedy if you have a keyless push button mechanism. As soon as you hit the engine start button, make sure your foot is firmly on the brake and rock the steering wheel side to side.

Without a key, how to unlock the steering wheel?

You will need to either have a mechanic come to you or have your car towed if the steering wheel is locked and you don’t have the key. Unfortunately, if the key is lost, the ignition lock cylinder must be replaced, and a new key must be created.

Now that you are more knowledgeable about unlocking your steering wheel, you can identify when it is operating as intended and when a more serious issue is most likely to be to blame. And if you’re unable to unlock it or your steering has stopped working, give Tserv a call so that one of our dependable mechanics can identify the issue and resolve it so you can resume driving.

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