The simplest way to handle when the car's steering wheel is locked

1. Causes of car steering wheel lock

The most common cause of a car's steering wheel locking is intentionally turning the steering wheel after the car has been turned off. This is most often caused by intentionally turning the steering wheel to straighten the wheels after the car has been parked and the engine has been turned off.

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The automatic locking of the steering wheel when the engine is turned off is actually an anti-theft feature that manufacturers equip for cars. Specifically, if the engine is turned off, the power steering pump will not work, so the steering wheel will be locked. The steering wheel is only designed to prevent thieves and prevent theft. You can rest assured that the steering wheel will not affect or damage the steering system of the car.

2. How to unlock car steering wheel

To unlock the steering wheel, the simplest solution is to simply restart the engine and the steering wheel will automatically unlock. To avoid this, before stopping/parking the car, the driver needs to pull the handbrake, release the steering wheel, put the gear in P and turn off the engine. Then, do not touch the steering wheel until ready to restart the engine.

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There is a case that is easily confused with steering wheel lock is heavy steering. This is a common problem of cars using electric power steering system. If the engine is turned off, the oil pump that supports the steering and braking system cannot receive energy. Therefore, the steering wheel will become heavier and especially people with weak hand strength often have difficulty steering.

However, it is also possible that your car's steering wheel lock is damaged and needs repair. At that time, you need to seek the help of a professional car locksmith service to ensure the best quality.

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