The steering wheel and column has 4 primary functions:
Vehicle Steering
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.
Vehicle Security, found on Some Vehicle Models
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 column lock |
Driver Convenience
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.
• | The headlamp dimmer switch |
• | The wiper/washer switch |
• | The horn pad/cruise control switch |
• | The redundant radio/entertainment system controls |
• | The tilt or tilt/telescoping functions |
• | The navigation/OnStar® features |
Driver Safety
The energy-absorbing steering column compresses in the event of a front-end
collision, which reduces the chance of injury to the driver. The mounting capsules
break away from the mounting bracket in the event of an accident.
Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted console gear shift, it has
a ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition
lock cylinder control actuator's purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being
turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still
be moving.The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control
actuator , and a park position switch that is located in the A/T shift lock control
switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring
loaded out to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to
the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle
power is lost, and/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.