How To Unlock A Steering Wheel

If your steering wheel refuses to move — and you can’t turn the key in the ignition — it make sense to worry a bit. You’re probably reading this on your phone, just getting on your way. Don’t worry, you’ll be there soon. Your steering wheel is probably just locked, a common problem for O'Fallon drivers. However, it is an easy issue to resolve.

Locked steering wheels usually happen by accident, but don’t worry, it takes just a few minutes to fix. Just remember not to panic, and if you are still having trouble unlocking your steering wheel, you can contact the Auffenberg Dealer Group service center for assistance.

Steps to Unlocking a Steering Wheel

The tips below should help you unlock your steering wheel successfully. They should also ensure that you do not damage any of your vehicle’s steering components.

• Do Not Use Excessive Force: A locked steering wheel isn’t something you can muscle your way out of. If you try to force the steering wheel to move, you could cause damage to the steering mechanism. Rather than trying to use all of your strength to make the steering wheel budge, simply turn the key to the “on” position and use varying amounts of pressure while wiggling the wheel back and forth.
• Try Different Techniques: What happens if you can’t get the key to the “on” position? If this occurs, slowly turn the key in the ignition with one hand and gently adjust the wheel back and forth with the other hand. Once everything is realigned, you should be able to start your car.
• Try a Different Key: If your usual key isn’t working, it could be a problem with the key and not the car. A key’s shape can deteriorate with regular wear and tear, and it could be that your key is no longer able to engage your vehicle’s tumblers. A dealership will be able to make a fresh key using the serial number of your vehicle so you aren’t getting a copy of a key that no longer works.

Contact Auffenberg Dealer Group for Additional Help

If our tips on how to unlock a steering wheel are not able to help you, do not hesitate to contact us. The experts at our service centers would be glad to assist you, so you can get back on the road in no time. We can also help you with other service questions you might have in the meantime.