The steering wheel and column includes the following components:
| • | The supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system inflator module,
which also functions as a horn pad |
The steering column includes three important features in addition to
the steering function:
| • | The steering column is energy-absorbing. The column is designed
to compress in a front-end collision in order to minimize the possibility
of injury to the driver of the vehicle. |
| • | The ignition switch and the lock are mounted conveniently on the
column. |
| • | With the column-mounted lock, the ignition, steering, and gearshifting
operation can be locked in order to inhibit a theft of the vehicle. |
The steering column may be disassembled and reassembled. In order to
ensure the energy-absorbing action, use only the specified screws, bolts,
and nuts as the fasteners are designated. Tighten the fasteners to the specified
torque. Apply a thin coat of lithium grease to all friction points during
assembly of the steering column components.
When the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the following
types of actions may shear or loosen the plastic fasteners that maintain the
steering column's rigidity:
| • | Applying a sharp blow on the end of the steering column assembly |
| • | Leaning on the column assembly |
