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Prius steering wheel

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ETP, Apr 24, 2009.

  1. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Is the Prius steering wheel angled 5-10 degrees to the left or am I having vision problems?
     
    #1 ETP, Apr 24, 2009
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    It can do that...is it new or has it always been that way? Have you had the alignment adjusted?

    They can get it off line during an alignment, it can be straightened out by the dealer.

    If you've hit a curb or something you may have thrown out your alignment and that could account for the change if this is new.
     
    #2 efusco, Apr 24, 2009
  3. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Sorry, I meant angled not off center as in an alignment. Some cars have the steering wheel pointing towards the drivers window. Confusing eh!
    Pull on the right side of the steering wheel straight back towards your body and imagine the wheel moving on one side and angling towards the left like it was installed that way at the factory. My Chevette was that way but much worse.
     
    #3 ETP, Apr 24, 2009
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I have never noticed it being angled. I've never measured it, but I am normally very perceptive about things like this.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Apr 24, 2009
  5. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I assume the Chevette was the same car as GM-H sold here as a Holden Gemini, the wheel was angled like that so it was easier to steer from outside the car while you push it I think. Shocking!

    No, my Prius wheel shaft points right at the middle of my chest. Are you sitting in the middle of the seat? :)
     
    #5 patsparks, Apr 24, 2009
  6. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    I'm having trouble picturing what you mean.

    The Prius steering wheel is not really round, but actually slightly oval. Could this be causing the effect that you are noticing?
     
    #6 yardman 49, Apr 24, 2009
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I believe the OP is referring to a side to side angle on the steering column. On most cars the steering column points straight back in the horizontal axis (we are ignoring up and down tilt). On a few cars, the steering column is angled, usually to shoehorn it around some piece of equipment. With this configuration, the distance to the wheel will be slightly longer for one arm as compared to the other, assuming the driver is directly facing forward.

    Tom
     
    #7 qbee42, Apr 24, 2009
  8. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I used to have a vehicle (Ford Courier pickup aka Mazda) that had an angled steering column. It was very apparent. I don't notice it in the Prius.
     
    #8 dogfriend, Apr 24, 2009
  9. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    It's not that bad. The Chevette was real bad/LOL

    It looks like to me that the steering wheel is parallel to the angled dash panel. Which is logical so the winshield washer levers have plenty of access.
    OH well// no big deal for me at 56.8 MPG. I can live with it//LOL
    Will the dealer let me use 0W30 synthetic in this beast or is this taboo?
     
    #9 ETP, May 2, 2009
  10. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    0w30 exceeds the requirements of 5w30... plus how are they going to know?
     
    #10 Bob64, May 3, 2009
  11. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Because I will hand them the jug//LOL

    But you know, maybe their mechanics can't read.
     
    #11 ETP, May 4, 2009
  12. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Good observation:D I noticed it as well and just measured it. It is about 2 degrees, 1/2" off in that 14" steering width.
     
    #12 CharlesJ, May 4, 2009
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