How to Lower Your Steering Wheel

Is your steering wheel just a tad too high? Not a problem—in most cars, there’s a simple way to adjust your steering wheel and make it comfortable for you. Keep reading to learn how to lower your steering wheel and lock it back into place before hitting the road again.

Things You Should Know

Push down on the release lever on the left side of your steering wheel to unlock it.
Adjust your steering wheel up, down, forwards, or backwards by pushing and pulling on it.
Lock your steering wheel again by pushing up on the release lever.

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1

Push down on the release lever.

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Find the steering wheel release lever on the left side of the steering wheel. Once you find it, push down gently to release the steering wheel and unlock it.^{[1]XResearch source}
- This lever is usually right next to or underneath the steering column. Typically, it’s about 4 in (10 cm) long.
- In some electric vehicles, the process for adjusting your steering wheel is different. If you’re in a Tesla, hit Controls > Steering, then use the arrows to move your steering wheel up and down.

2

Adjust the steering wheel up, down, forward, or back.

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Grab the steering wheel and move it to your desired position. When the steering wheel is unlocked, grab it with both hands and push it down to lower it. You can also pull it up to raise it, or you can move it forwards and backwards.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Adjust the steering wheel so that the top of the wheel is about as high as the top of your shoulder. Make sure that your arms are relaxed while holding the wheel for the perfect placement.
- As you adjust, make sure you can still see the dashboard of your car behind the steering wheel.

3

Push the lever back up to lock the steering wheel.

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Lock your steering wheel again with the same release lever. Once you have the steering wheel adjusted to your liking, simply push the lever back up into place.^{[3]XResearch source} If the lever is sticking slightly, wiggle the steering wheel just a little bit as you push up on the lever.
- If your position still doesn’t feel quite right, try messing with your seat instead of the steering wheel. Adjust your seat to scoot forward or backward to find the most comfortable position for you.

4

Check that the steering wheel is steady before driving.

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Push and pull on the steering wheel to make sure it’s locked. It’s dangerous to drive with an unlocked steering wheel, so do a quick safety check before you hit the road again. Push, pull, and turn the steering wheel to make sure it stays in place.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If the steering wheel moves, push down on the lever and then push it back up again.

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Tips

Ideally, the steering wheel should be about 10 in (25 cm) away from you.
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Warnings

Never adjust your steering wheel while driving. Always stop your car in a safe location and put it in park before adjusting.^{[5]XResearch source}
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