Racing steering wheel laws?

[RoXXXanne13]

Random, but, any of you know laws as far as changing your steering wheel? ive had different "racing" steering wheels on older cars.. but never a new one.. im searching trying to find the laws and I cant... I tend to get away with louder exhaust at inspection time.. wonder if I could get away with this though too?

 

[laborsmith]

Quick release?

I can not recall a steering wheel specific law. I would expect air bag laws would be the area to research.


Laborsmith

 

[ungawd]

I always heard that quick release were illegal unless it had a seperate key and internal locking mechanism. Might be BS but I've heard it from several sources years ago.

If there were a law restricting aftermarket steering wheels it would certainly cover diameter and possibly construction.

Having a working horn is a requirement here, and most states I imagine, which doesn't necessarily have to have a switch in the steering wheel. I couldn't see location of this switch being a factor as long as it functioned.

Airbags are SRS (supplemental restraint systems). The word supplemental doesn't tell me required. Would it be unlawful to drive a vehicle that was in an accident with air bag deployment if those air bags were never replaced? I really don't know. Most states only have seatbelt laws as far as I know.

 

[laborsmith]

I know around here cars are driven w/o airbags (whether the original unit was stolen, quite likely, or deployed but not replaced (per news reports over half of the cars in Detroit are not covered by insurance though state law both requires and heavily fines not having) so the law may only require seat belts except for new or through dealer sales.

I seem to remember the accessory lock available for extra cost; it has been a long while since I looked at these and it was for a car built before airbags were even an option.

The insurance industry may have more to say: can a car built with airbags be insured if modified to not have airbags?


Laborsmith

 

[ungawd]

This is NC law:

§ 20‑136.2. Air bag installation.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to knowingly install or reinstall any object in lieu of an air bag, other than an air bag that was designed in accordance with federal safety regulations for the make, model, and year of vehicle, as part of a vehicle inflation restraint system. Any person, firm, or corporation violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (2003‑258, s. 3.)

There's a federal law that applies to entities other than personal vehicle owners; shops, dealers, etc. It's not a federal offense to disable SRS. Further legality is state to state.

 

[RoXXXanne13]

solid find!! thanks for all the feed back thus far.. I honestly think im going to register my car in NY again.. NC laws are weird:blankface: but yea idk.. just always pondering

 

[rdss]

I would go with the RS steering wheel, it's shaped better than the stock one and keeps all the factory functionality including the airbag.

 

[ungawd]

solid find!! thanks for all the feed back thus far.. I honestly think im going to register my car in NY again.. NC laws are weird:blankface: but yea idk.. just always pondering

I assume NY would catch it during annual inspections. This is from NYS DMV - (Brochure) New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection Program for Cars and Light Trucks

Your vehicle's Air Bag Warning Lamp will be checked for proper operation. You will be informed if the vehicle's air bag warning lamp is on or is not working. This is an advisement only and not cause for rejection.

I googled a bit but haven't found a specific New York state code covering airbags or supplemental restraint systems.

 

[Eric Smit]

long story short, if your state/area requires inspections, airbags being present are usually required if your vehicle was originally equipped with them.

 

[RoXXXanne13]

plus im sure my insurance company wouldn't like the idea lol :blankface:

 

[EX331]

The absence of the steering wheel airbag would cause the airbag fault light to illuminate, that would cause you to fail a State safety inspection. Why go without the airbag? Don't risk your personal health and safety by circumventing a safety device. I agree with RDSS, get the RS steering wheel.

 

[Eric Smit]

The absence of the steering wheel airbag would cause the airbag fault light to illuminate, that would cause you to fail a State safety inspection. Why go without the airbag? Don't risk your personal health and safety by circumventing a safety device. I agree with RDSS, get the RS steering wheel.

he wants it because he wants it. that's his call.

 

[wewarn]

I always find it easier to use a steering wheel less than 10 inches across........it makes it easier to drive with handcuffs on

 

[mitdr774]

plus im sure my insurance company wouldn't like the idea lol :blankface:

No they dont.

ersonally i am not a fan of airbags. i have never found a good use for them when installed in a vehicle.

 

[SUPER SONIC BOOM]

Get in an accident & you'll wish you had a steering wheel airbag, trust me, I know, they work. Don't try to be all fancy or racy with those ones without it, it ain't safe or smart imho, they're there for a reason. Looks over function, blah, not in this case, sorry.

 

[RoXXXanne13]

maybe an RS wheel or something with a close ratio gear box or whatever they are called? my buddy has that in his WS6 and its like not even a full turn to either side and the wheels are locked out, haha that would take some getting used to but could be fun!! as far as the airbags.. im not concerned with getting in an accident, im concerned with insurance caring or not caring

 

[mitdr774]

Get in an accident & you'll wish you had a steering wheel airbag, trust me, I know, they work. Don't try to be all fancy or racy with those ones without it, it ain't safe or smart imho, they're there for a reason. Looks over function, blah, not in this case, sorry.

Been in two accidents with very similar cars in very similar circumstances. Air bags worked in one and not the other. Didnt need the bag in either accident. Wear your seat belt.