The steering wheel and column has 4 primary functions:

The steering wheel is the first link between the driver and the vehicle. The steering wheel is fastened to a steering shaft within the column. At the lower end of the column, the intermediate shaft connects the column to the steering gear.

Theft deterrent components are mounted and designed into the steering column. The following components allow the column to be locked in order to minimize theft:

The steering wheel and column may also have driver controls attached for convenience and comfort. The following controls may be mounted on or near the steering wheel or column.

In the event of a front-end collision the energy-absorbing steering column compresses, which reduces the chance of injury to the driver. The mounting capsules break away from the mounting bracket in the event of an accident.

If the vehicle is equipped with a floor-mounted console gear shifter, an added safety feature is an ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator system prevents the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control actuator and a ignition lock cylinder control switch, that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a spring-loaded pin that mechanically prevents the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the Lock position when the transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost or the transmission is not in the Park position, the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the Lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.