How much would you pay for a warranty supported steering wheel extension? (3d try)

[wornways]

If Toyota provided warranty supported aftermarket Yaris steering wheel options that extended the fixed or telescopic reach of the steering wheel by 1 to 2 inches, how much would you be willing to pay, and for which options?

The poll choices are in four sections. The first three deal with prices ranges for a fixed steering wheel extension of 1 inch. The second three deal with price ranges for a fixed extension of 2 inches. The third set of three deal with a telescopic extension of up to 2 inches. The last option is for those who are happy with their steering wheel the way it is.

The reason I'm posting this poll is because I'm exceptionally unhappy with the steering wheel and I want to get an idea just how alone I am in my misery. I can't reach it when I'm sitting comfortably, and I can't drive safely when I've got my knees mashed up under my chin in order to reach it.

I've opted for safe discomfort relative to unsafe extreme discomfort. However, as the months wear on, the middle part of my back has fallen into extreme chronic pain brought on by my having to hunch toward the steering wheel with my arms held plumb straight forward to grip it properly. The solution is simple, extend the steering wheel so it's reachable from a relaxed sitting position for people taller than, say, an Oompa Loompa. But, Toyota doesn't provide this option. And not one of the 50 or so automotive shops I've consulted with will touch the steering wheel because of various liability issues.

Hence the poll. If I'm not the only one, and others would pay for a Toyota installed and supported steering wheel extension, then maybe Toyota Corporate would consider providing this option for those of us not of Oompa Loompan ancestry.

[ddongbap]

But you already bought your car. They wouldn't really add a feature to a car that they've already sold. Right?
/edit
Oohhhhhhhhh, thats why you added prices. I get it.

[wornways]

But you already bought your car. They wouldn't really add a feature to a car that they've already sold. Right?
/edit
Oohhhhhhhhh, thats why you added prices. I get it.

Yeah, I knew the steering wheel was a little uncomfortable when I test drove it, but I was confident that I'd adjust to it. But after 8k miles, I'm realizing that what's adjusting are the vertebrae in my middle back, just below my shoulder blades. I don't know what they're doing, but it hurts like all hell. This problem did not exist before the Yaris. If I don't drive the Yaris for a few days, it begins to feel better. Just after driving the Yaris even a short distance, I can't sleep for all the throbs and stabs of pain shooting all over my body and into my brain from my middle back. So there's a distinct connection, and it's one I can't do anything about until Toyota provides an aftermarket steering wheel extension.

[ddongbap]

Yeah, I knew the steering wheel was a little uncomfortable when I test drove it, but I was confident that I'd adjust to it. But after 8k miles, I'm realizing that what's adjusting are the vertebrae in my middle back, just below my shoulder blades. I don't know what they're doing, but it hurts like all hell. This problem did not exist before the Yaris. If I don't drive the Yaris for a few days, it begins to feel better. Just after driving the Yaris even a short distance, I can't sleep for all the throbs and stabs of pain shooting all over my body and into my brain from my middle back. So there's a distinct connection, and it's one I can't do anything about until Toyota provides an aftermarket steering wheel extension.

Yea. I was running this setup for a bit.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/ddbaptrance/Cars/steering.jpg

[wornways]

I don't feel confident in making such modifications myself, and no automotive centers will make them. Your setup looks workable, though. Not pretty, but functional. I can see just by the angle that you're getting about two or three inches more reach than the stock steering wheel provides. I'm jealous.

[Altitude]

Don't mean to poop on your parade, but this car is Toyota's entry level and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't add the feature no matter how many people wanted it. Never mind the fact you'd probably need hundreds of thousands of people to respond to your poll. That ain't gonna happen at YW.

Of course if you are planning to run the poll across the entire internet you might get a decent response, but something tells me you should just start looking for a more comfortable car to drive.

[ddongbap]

I don't feel confident in making such modifications myself, and no automotive centers will make them. Your setup looks workable, though. Not pretty, but functional. I can see just by the angle that you're getting about two or three inches more reach than the stock steering wheel provides. I'm jealous.

Yea, its changed now. Its totally different now. But it was AWESOME, cause I could sit normally, with my arms bent.

[wornways]

I would love to, Mr. Altitude. You buying?

[Gideon]

...those of us not of Oompa Loompan ancestry.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Thankfully :biggrin:

[wornways]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Thankfully :biggrin:

Just for the record, I like Oompa Loompans. They're great people, they dance well, they like to sing, and they always have a strong point.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I'm short (I'm Asian, can't do anything about it). LOL. I'm actually quite comfortable with the steering wheel. My butt started hurting on an 8-9 hour drive, but I never had any discomfort with the steering wheel on that trip.

[etheliters]

I'm 6' 3" and not too discomforted. without warranty in mind, is anyone prototyping or designing such an extension? A factory look is ideal...

[1NZYaris1]

Just buy a Yaris noise cut (wreck ) from japan and take out the
Extendable steering colum .
Way eaiser than designing and making one :iono:

[roxy1]

i dont think 1-2 inches is enough. im just over 6', and moving the seat back so my legs werent ridiculously bent and knees splayed the steering wheel was just too far away. it was always a choice between holding the wheel with an absolutely straight arm (this gets old fast) or having my legs squeezed and my knees shoved into the door and center center stack (this gets old fast). an up to 3 inch telescoping wheel is needed in the next gen yaris.

[yaris prime]

At 6'4", I've learned to live with this problem. It is not unique to the Yaris, this is an issue I've had with many cars because I always have the seat all the way back.

[marcus]

yah i been itching to swapped to my momo but damn this airbag which is the only thing thatll save mylife incase of an accident..

[Altitude]

I would love to, Mr. Altitude. You buying?

No I'm not. But that $1500 you want to spend on a feature that will never materialize would make a nice down payment.

Just trying to save you the trouble of getting your hopes up that a silly poll on an obscure website has any possibility of influencing Toyota.

You want to extend your steering wheel? Do what ddongbap did and go after-market.

[llimonce]

i need 2"

[Bob Dog]

I was really pleased to find an entry level car with no options on it has the steering adjustment on it that the Yaris has.

[Kal-El]

Having a manual, I've gotten really comfortable sitting closer (as is typically needed to press the clutch fully and comfortably). In automatics I sit further back.

And the thing I have found with the Yaris is that sitting closer is still comfortable because of its high, upright seating position. On the other hand, sitting close in a low rider is very awkward.

I'm 6'1" and the steering wheel is fine while sitting a little closer than usual.

Even if you have an auto, try it. You will get used to it.

:smile:

[wornways]

So far about a third of those who have taken the poll are willing to pay something for a way to extend the steering wheel.

This gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Wonder if anyone else will take the poll.

[wornways]

Just buy a Yaris noise cut (wreck ) from japan and take out the
Extendable steering colum .
Way eaiser than designing and making one :iono:

How would that work? I'm unable to picture a "nose cut" or its extendable steering column. I can fix some basic engine problems, but I'm not confident to tackle something like the steering column. So I'm not sure if this option would work for me.

[wornways]

Having a manual, I've gotten really comfortable sitting closer (as is typically needed to press the clutch fully and comfortably). In automatics I sit further back.

And the thing I have found with the Yaris is that sitting closer is still comfortable because of its high, upright seating position. On the other hand, sitting close in a low rider is very awkward.

I'm 6'1" and the steering wheel is fine while sitting a little closer than usual.

Even if you have an auto, try it. You will get used to it.

:smile:

If there wasn't a large pocket and oversized dash design something in the way of my right leg, I could do it myself. But I find that every time I adjust myself my right knee smashes into the steering column, the center post, or the dash. There's plenty of space on the left side, but the marketeers seem to have decided on the look and feel (oouurrggchhh!!) of the right side and center post/column/whatever it's called.

[wornways]

i dont think 1-2 inches is enough. im just over 6', and moving the seat back so my legs werent ridiculously bent and knees splayed the steering wheel was just too far away. it was always a choice between holding the wheel with an absolutely straight arm (this gets old fast) or having my legs squeezed and my knees shoved into the door and center center stack (this gets old fast). an up to 3 inch telescoping wheel is needed in the next gen yaris.

Actually 2" would be plenty. I've done some experimenting over the course of over 8k miles now, and I'm pretty convinced that this will solve the problem for me. I could sit closer if the center assembly didn't crowd my leg space--but it does. We're the proud owners of Oompa-Loompa-Mobiles.

[wornways]

yah i been itching to swapped to my momo but damn this airbag which is the only thing thatll save mylife incase of an accident..

I'm not too worried about the airbag. I just want to be able to reach the steering wheel. Such an odd Oompa Loompa design.

[talnlnky]

I would be fine with 1/2" to 1"... and wouldn't want to pay more than $100.
Honestly though.... after 1.5 years, i'm used to it, and it hardly ever bothers me anymore.

[supmet]

So far about a third of those who have taken the poll are willing to pay something for a way to extend the steering wheel.

This gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Wonder if anyone else will take the poll.

Forum polls are the definition of accuracy.

I'll bet 100 dollars not a single person will pay more than 200 for this, if that.

And stop bashing on the oompa loompas - You all are a bunch of t-rexes with legs 4 times as long as your arms.

[cali yaris]

I'm not too worried about the airbag. I just want to be able to reach the steering wheel.

If that's true, an aftermarket hub/release will fix your problem. Not sure why there's a poll then... I'm confused, as usual.

[wornways]

Well here's hoping I'm more used to it in after 1.5 years, which for me means another 12 months of this.

I would be fine with 1/2" to 1"... and wouldn't want to pay more than $100.
Honestly though.... after 1.5 years, i'm used to it, and it hardly ever bothers me anymore.

[wornways]

Actually I might be a hybrid between a T-rex and an Oompa Loompa. I recently got measured for a dress shirt (my wedding), and I learned that my arms are about 2" shorter than average. Because no shirts were available with my arm length, I ended up having to go Polo, which worked out. But it made me re-think about my position with this car a bit. If no long sleeve shirts are sold for my arm length... :-/

Forum polls are the definition of accuracy.

I'll bet 100 dollars not a single person will pay more than 200 for this, if that.

And stop bashing on the oompa loompas - You all are a bunch of t-rexes with legs 4 times as long as your arms.

[wornways]

I can't get anyone to replace the steering wheel for me with an after market one. I'm not confident to try doing the replacement myself. No mechanic within 300 miles, will touch it--I've called a majority of them and asked. They're all stressed out about insurance issues. So that's why there's a poll.

If that's true, an aftermarket hub/release will fix your problem. Not sure why there's a poll then... I'm confused, as usual.

[ern-diz]

And stop bashing on the oompa loompas - You all are a bunch of t-rexes with legs 4 times as long as your arms.

:bellyroll:

[IsLNdbOi]

No one want to be liable for when you smash and break your skull into the steering wheel that has no airbag.

You'll have to pay someone ALOT to do it or learn to do it yourself.

[2+2]

Wornways - so many years ago that I can't even remember which car, I had the same problem. At least it sounds like the same problem - the most memorable part of it was thinking that a massage would fix the problem but the darn thing was painful to the touch - like sticking a knife in - very wierd.

I think it just went away over time. Btw, do you have cruise control? With that you could alter your driving position somewhat and maybe get some relief.

Yeah I'd forgotten all about that. The long drive from Mich to Fla used to give me real pain. Good luck with it!

ps Truckstops sell heating pads that plug into your cig lighter. Worth a try if you need to take a long trip.

[AdeJong 03]

it bugs me a bunch to constantly think about how much i wish i had a telescoping wheel but not enough to do anything about it.

would be a lot more helpful in the twisties, thats for damn sure

[ellenbetty]

It seems like a lot of people may be forgetting another problem that impacts how close your chest can be to the steering wheel, the air bag. The further the driver is from the deploying air bag the safer the driver is. Even with 2 stage Smart Air bags that vary the the size of the charge exploded, sitting too close to the air bag when the air bag deploys can be fatal. So I suggest that you do not go over board with extending the steering wheel.

[ddongbap]

They time the deployment differently for different range of wheel distance.