Car steering wheel locked: Causes and solutions

A car's steering wheel locking up and becoming impossible to turn is a situation that new car users, especially female drivers, often encounter at least once… particularly with car models that use a mechanical key.

When faced with a situation where the car's steering wheel locks, due to a lack of experience and driving skills, most drivers are often confused and unsure of the cause and how to handle it.

New car users, especially female drivers, often encounter situations where the steering wheel locks up.

In reality, there are several reasons why a car's steering wheel might lock up. The solution is quite simple, and anyone can do it if they equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge about driving.

Reasons why your car's steering wheel might lock

One of the most common reasons for a car's steering wheel locking up is when the driver attempts to turn the steering wheel after parking and turning off the engine. This may sound strange, but it's actually a common mistake made by novice drivers or female drivers.

Having only owned a 2023 Hyundai Grand i10 for three months, Ms. Hoai Thu, residing in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, said: "Since I'm new to driving, after parking and turning off the engine, if I notice the steering wheel is misaligned or the car isn't parked straight, I often try to straighten it. When I get back to the car, I encounter situations where I put the key in the ignition but it won't turn, the steering wheel is completely stiff and unresponsive. Many times I've had to ask people around me for help or call my husband for assistance."

After parking and turning off the engine, if the driver still attempts to steer, the steering wheel will lock up.

It's not just Ms. Hoai Thu; many other drivers have also experienced similar situations at least once while using their cars. Most of these cases occur when drivers try to straighten the steering wheel and wheels after turning off the engine. There are also many cases with cars using mechanical keys; if the driver parks the car but the steering wheel and wheels aren't straight and tries to remove the key, the steering wheel will lock up.

In fact, the automatic steering wheel locking when the car is turned off is an anti-theft feature that manufacturers equip on their vehicles. According to an auto repair technician, if the engine is off, the power steering pump also stops working, so the steering wheel will lock. The locking of the steering wheel is solely to deter thieves and prevent theft; it does not affect or damage the car's steering system in any way.

How to handle a locked car steering wheel.

A locked steering wheel will not affect or damage the car's steering system, so the solution is quite simple. According to Toan, a technician at an auto repair and maintenance shop in Ho Chi Minh City, "When faced with a locked steering wheel, the driver simply needs to start the engine and the steering wheel will unlock."

If the car's steering wheel is locked, the driver simply needs to start the engine and the steering wheel will unlock.

With some car models, the key is inserted into the ignition lock on the steering wheel after the steering wheel is locked. In this case, "The driver just needs to turn the steering wheel to the right or left while simultaneously inserting the key into the lock. Then, start the engine, and the steering wheel will unlock," Toan further explained.

According to Thanh Nien newspaper

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