Steering Wheel

[wheelhater]

I find the steering wheel on my 2009 Yaris to be intolerable. I'm planning on replacing it with an aftermarket wheel. This means there will be no driver side airbag. Anyone else hate this wheel? Any suggestions?

P.S. I just found some info on this website and it looks like I'm not the only one with complaints.

[ern-diz]

when i first got my yaris, i could have gone for a bit more leg room...i was used to being able to fully extend my legs in the civic i was driving before...as for the steering wheel itself, i found it to be ok...what do you not like about it specifically?

[etheliters]

I've read about extensions and even saw someone's wheel swapped already here. try doing a search in these forum.

[wheelhater]

Everything about it is wrong.

The pebbled texture is rough and uncomfortable to grip. When coming out of a turn, I like to use one hand as a clutch on the surface of the wheel to control the rate at which the wheel straightens out. With the pebbled surface, the wheel grabs my palm instead of smoothly slipping.

The cheap plastic piece that blows the horn blows. It's got sharp edges on the back side, and it is uncomfortable to rest my hands on top of the spokes, because the edge of the plastic annoys me. And I've blown the horn accidentally half a dozen times because that piece is unnecessarily too big.

The 3 spokes are all wrong. You cannot wrap your hands around the wheel at 9 and 3. The indentations that are supposedly for the thumbs are useless for this reason. The bottom spoke is too wide to stick between the fingers of one hand, and if you want to put two hands at the bottom, the spoke makes that impossible. If my hands are at 10 and 2, resting on the spokes, it is uncomfortable because of the horn piece. (What is the proper name for that piece?)

On top of all that, the distance from me to the wheel is too far. My arms are stretched out all the way. I installed the center armrest and I tried driving while leaning on it and using just my left hand on the wheel, but that doesn't make enough of a difference.

[SailDesign]

You should NEVER rest your hands on top of the spokes when driving, and you should put your hands at "10-to-2" in stead of "9:15".
Solved :smile:
Wheels are meant to be held, not rested on.
Personally, I find the pebbled finish fine for the "wheel-slip" clutch thing you mention, but maybe that's just me. A wheel is a wheel isd a wheel. I have changed out big wheels for smalled before (leg room issue) but other than that they have all turned, so I've been happy.

[ern-diz]

i just noticed the name lol...'wheelhater' haha...i'm thinking ur pulling our legs with this one, right?...if not, there are a GANG of people on this site that have replaced the stock steering wheel for something more sport inspired...lots of pics in the photo forum...

personally, i rock one hand at 12 o'clock and the other on the shifter...i thought 10 and 2 went out when airbags got more poplular...?...isn't 8 and 4 the new trend in order to supposedly avoid injury to the arms should the airbags deploy in a collision?...i don't know lol...

[supmet]

Wheel slips fine through my hands coming out of a turn. I've never accidentally blown the horn or noticed sharp plastic. The comfort is just fine at 10 and 2, and the reach is perfect when the seat is properly adjusted.

There's lots of threads on here about aftermarket wheels, but everything you're describing sounds like the seat to steering wheel interface is malfunctioning, not the wheel.

edit: never heard of 8 and 4, but I wouldn't want to try evasive maneuvering with my hands like that.

[SailDesign]

i thought 10 and 2 went out when airbags got more poplular...?...isn't 8 and 4 the new trend in order to supposedly avoid injury to the arms should the airbags deploy in a collision?...i don't know lol...

10-to-2 still givres the most control, as it did before. You are right about the airbags, 9:15 is supposed to get around that, but the OP didn't like that. I still rock the 10-to-2 becasue I reckon there's less chance of the airbags deploying if I stay in better control.

[ern-diz]

...I still rock the 10-to-2 becasue I reckon there's less chance of the airbags deploying if I stay in better control.

good point lol

[wheelhater]

Not solved, unfortunately, because 10 and 2 is uncomfortable whether I grip the wheel or let my hands rest on it. Even when you "grip" a wheel, some of the weight of your arms is resting on the spokes, right? The wheel has a strange shape in that area, kind of a sharpness to the radius of the curve, which bothers my pinky fingers a lot. I'm no driving expert but I've heard it said that if you go to driving school, these days they teach 9 and 3 rather than 10 and 2. I prefer 10 and 2.

I agree 8 and 4 is no good for steering. Out of desperation I've tried it. I've even tried just thumbs, resting my hands on my knees, but my thumbs are not in good shape these days.

I will check photos on this site to see the wheel swaps.

I think the seat to steering wheel interface is definitely a problem. A telescoping wheel might have done the trick here. Maybe I can install a spacer. (I'm 6'0".)

Thanks to all.

[ern-diz]

Well . . .

Not Solved, because 10 and 2 is uncomfortable whether I grip the wheel or let my hands rest on it. The wheel has a strange shape in that area, kind of a sharpness to the radius of the curve, which bothers my pinky fingers a lot. I'm no driving expert but I've heard it said that if you go to driving school, these days they teach 9 and 3 rather than 10 and 2. I prefer 10 and 2.

I agree 8 and 4 is no good for steering. Out of desperation I've tried it. I've even tried just thumbs, resting my hands on my knees, but my thumbs are not in good shape these days.

I will check photos on this site to see the wheel swaps.

I think the seat to steering wheel interface is definitely a problem. (I'm 6'0".)

Thanks for all the good info.

yea i was wrong about 8 and 4, it's 9 and 3 as you mentioned is taught in driving schools these days...i was just taking a guess because i knew the 10 and 2 standard had changed for the purpose of avoiding injury when the airbags deploy during a collision...

[Liltoaster]

I ran a Momo Champion in my Echo for track days and such...... the stock wheel is annoying but saftey is more important.

[Tamago]

i have a generic MOMO wheel. ditched the stock wheel 4 years ago, in favor of this 2" SMALLER diameter

[Y@R15]

i just noticed the name lol...'wheelhater' haha...i'm thinking ur pulling our legs with this one, right?...if not, there are a GANG of people on this site that have replaced the stock steering wheel for something more sport inspired...lots of pics in the photo forum...

personally, i rock one hand at 12 o'clock and the other on the shifter...i thought 10 and 2 went out when airbags got more poplular...?...isn't 8 and 4 the new trend in order to supposedly avoid injury to the arms should the airbags deploy in a collision?...i don't know lol...


i have had an air bag deploy in an accident i was in and i rock the 12 O'colck too. if not for my long sleeves id have been burned or whatever from it. altho seriously the new law is 9 and 3 to help reduce friction burn from deployed airbag but its dumb because a 10 and 2 is still same angle of arm bend. from my 10 years of driving exp. id say id more comfy to drive 10 and 2 or 12 with shifter.

[ern-diz]

i have had an air bag deploy in an accident i was in and i rock the 12 O'colck too. if not for my long sleeves id have been burned or whatever from it. altho seriously the new law is 9 and 3 to help reduce friction burn from deployed airbag but its dumb because a 10 and 2 is still same angle of arm bend. from my 10 years of driving exp. id say id more comfy to drive 10 and 2 or 12 with shifter.

man...airbag to the face would suck...glad u came out of that one ok...

[gokartride]

My personal proportions and Yaris ergonomics seem to somehow be perfectly matched 'cause I have no problem w/ comfort and actually like the feel of the steering wheel very, very much. That said, if I was taller/shorter/larger/smaller it might be a problem as there are somewhat limited ways to dial things in. As it is, though, no problem.

[MUSKOKA800]

I'd like to get my wheel leather wrapped and plan to explore that option.
The OEM plastic sometime causes a sweaty grip. Aside from that the ego's of the stock wheel suit me fine.

[ozmdd]

If you can get your hands on the factory leather wheel, its a pretty easy swap. I did it, and the leather wheel is a huge improvement. Someone listed the part # on here somewhere. I think the xA wheel might have ben the same too, but not sure about that.

[Tamago]

If you can get your hands on the factory leather wheel, its a pretty easy swap. I did it, and the leather wheel is a huge improvement. Someone listed the part # on here somewhere. I think the xA wheel might have ben the same too, but not sure about that.

different airbag.

[cali yaris]

Hard to post in this one without posting corrective steering technique. Lots of aftermarket steering wheels to look at on here - buy one!

I have Works Bell hubs/quick releases in stock. They will allow you to use your horn safely with an aftermarket wheel; no other brand uses your clock mechanism, as far as I know.

[wheelhater]

My personal proportions and Yaris ergonomics seem to somehow be perfectly matched 'cause I have no problem w/ comfort and actually like the feel of the steering wheel very, very much. That said, if I was taller/shorter/larger/smaller it might be a problem as there are somewhat limited ways to dial things in. As it is, though, no problem.

What is your height?

[wheelhater]

Hard to post in this one without posting corrective steering technique. Lots of aftermarket steering wheels to look at on here - buy one!

I have Works Bell hubs/quick releases in stock. They will allow you to use your horn safely with an aftermarket wheel; no other brand uses your clock mechanism, as far as I know.

Do the aftermarket wheels incorporate the air bag? What is a clock mechanism? What is good corrective technique?

Thanks.

[ozmdd]

different airbag.

Good to know. If the steering wheel frame is the same, then you'll be able to use all of your oem airbag/clockspring/plastic trim on the new wheel.
I'm pretty sure my leather wheel came from an S package that someone put an aftermarket wheel onto. It is the exact same wheel underneath, but leather wrapped.
If someone is interested in getting a wheel professionally leather-wrapped, I'll sell you my oem wheel cheap and you won't have to go without your car in the meantime. :thumbup:

[ozmdd]

I just checked...I bought the wheel from blacksandgeovitz last year.

[talnlnky]

I find the steering wheel on my 2009 Yaris to be intolerable. I'm planning on replacing it with an aftermarket wheel. This means there will be no driver side airbag. Anyone else hate this wheel? Any suggestions?

P.S. I just found some info on this website and it looks like I'm not the only one with complaints.

too lazy to check if it has already been said, but...

I find it intolerable to be stricken to a wheelchair, or dead...

[wheelhater]

too lazy to check if it has already been said, but...

I find it intolerable to be stricken to a wheelchair, or dead...

You don't need to apologize for being lazy if you are in a wheelchair and dead. Best wishes to you.

[cali yaris]

Do the aftermarket wheels incorporate the air bag? What is a clock mechanism? What is good corrective technique?

1. I haven't seen an aftermarket wheel that does.

2. A clock mechanism is a disk-on-disk conductive system that allows your horn (and other electrical controls, like stereo volume, etc) to work even though you can turn your wheel. It's the only way I would use an aftermarket wheel and have my horn be functional.

3. Corrective technique -- thanks for asking. This comes from basic performance driving training. (I'm an instructor for a local racing organization). It can be dangerous to allow the wheel to slip through your fingers. "hand over hand" or "shuffle" techniques allow you to retain control over your car's direction at all times. For example, if you're coming out of a turn, letting the wheel slip through your hands, you cannot control your car with any precision if you need to make a quick move.

Just a thought, and I'm only posting the advice because you asked (and I thank you for asking).

If the steering wheel frame is the same, then you'll be able to use all of your oem airbag/clockspring/plastic trim on the new wheel.

That's not always true. MOMO and Sparco hubs do not use the clockspring and therefore are dangerous when hooking up horn wires that will twist every time you turn your wheel.

[rob323]

I was told about a recent fatality over here, where the inprint of a guys watch was found on the deceased's forehead. Guess where his hand/ arm was when the air bag went off. Apparently the coroner knew the exact time of death.

[advocate]

I was told about a recent fatality over here, where the inprint of a guys watch was found on the deceased's forehead. Guess where his hand/ arm was when the air bag went off. Apparently the coroner knew the exact time of death.

That's one hell of a story :eyebulge:
Wrong time to check the time?

[MUSKOKA800]

If you can get your hands on the factory leather wheel, its a pretty easy swap. I did it, and the leather wheel is a huge improvement. Someone listed the part # on here somewhere. I think the xA wheel might have ben the same too, but not sure about that.

Apparently no Toyota/Scion is available in the charcoal grey to match my sedan's interior. A lighter grey and possibly black, but no charcoal.

[Liltoaster]

I have seen some aftermarket steering wheels with airbags..... not worth the price lol