Types of Steering Wheel Controls, Explained

Automakers have made it a point to design vehicles that maximize safety with features like seat belts, airbags, and crash avoidance tech.

However, not all of them are automatic like adaptive cruise control or can be set up after getting in the car like seatbelts. Some safety features must be activated as needed.

To ensure drivers can access the controls without getting distracted or taking their eyes off the road, many automakers add them to the steering wheel. This design ensures drivers can access crucial functions without removing their hands from the wheel.

What Types of Controls Are on the Steering Wheel?

Modern steering wheels could have cruise control, adaptive cruise control, and audio control.

Cruise Control

Cruise control lets you maintain a certain speed without stepping on the accelerator. It helps reduce fatigue by giving drivers a chance to rest behind the wheel safely and save fuel by avoiding unnecessary braking and speeding.

You can find the cruise control buttons on the left side of the steering wheel in most vehicles. The location could differ depending on the model, but the functions are usually similar:

• On/Off Button – turns the cruise control system on or off
• Set Button – sets the speed to maintain
• +/- Buttons – increase or decrease the set speed, adding and subtracting 1 mph every time you press the button
• Resume Button – reverts the system to the original set speed
• Cancel Button – disengages the system without turning it off

There isn’t a limit to the speed you can set with this system — just be mindful of the area’s speed limit.

The way the buttons work could vary depending on the automaker. For Kia vehicles, the resume and set buttons work as the + and – buttons, respectively. Pressing “resume” increases the set speed by 1 mph, while pressing the set button decreases it the same amount.

Additionally, the cruise control buttons on Kia vehicles are usually on the right side of their steering wheels instead of the left.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an upgraded version of the basic cruise control system. Instead of just following a set speed, it scans the vehicle ahead using speed and distance sensors. The system can match the other vehicle’s speed to limit accidents.

ACC systems also let you set the distance and time interval between your car and the one in front of you.

ACC has the same buttons as the basic version with the addition of the set distance button, which lets you set the distance on top of the cruising speed you choose.

The set distance button is usually separate from the other cruise control buttons. It’s usually underneath the rest.

Examples of Cars With ACC

Here are some popular models with adaptive cruise control:

• Hyundai Sonata
• Acura Integra
• Toyota Corolla Hatchback
• Mazda CX-30
• Kia Carnival
• Honda Ridgeline

Audio Control

Some vehicles let drivers control audio through their steering wheel. The audio control lets them connect devices to the system via Bluetooth, turn the volume up or down, and skip songs, among other functions.

The audio controls on the steering wheels are usually on the opposite side of the cruise control buttons, typically on the right-hand part. It typically has the following buttons:

• Volume Control – the blow horn button with a minus or plus symbol decreases or increases the volume
• Mute Button – the crossed-out blow horn button mutes the media currently playing
• Previous Button – the button with the arrow pointing to the left will either play the previous song on a queue or replay the current song
• Next Button the button with an arrow pointing to the right skips the current song
• Accept Call Button – the button with the telephone symbol answers incoming phone calls
• End Call Button – the button with the upright telephone symbol ends the current phone call

Heated and Cooling Options

Some modern vehicles also have heated and cooling options on their steering wheels. This allows you to control the temperature, making for a cozier ride.

Steering Wheel Innovations

While the features vehicles have today are impressive, technology is ever-evolving. Here are some features to look forward to:

High-Tech Curved Steering Wheels

One exciting innovation developed by electronics powerhouse In2tec is a curved steering wheel equipped with next-level technology and advanced features.

The ergonomic steering wheel comes with hands-off and hands-on detection tech as well as and heart rate monitoring function. A curved LCD screen in its middle presents all the crucial info.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Steering Wheel

Get a glimpse of the future in the Ford Fusion Hybrid’s advanced steering wheel. It has controls that let drivers see the vehicle’s power usage, battery life, fuel economy, and more on the dashboard.

In addition, the steering wheel also has a voice-activated SYNC system that lets users make hand-free telephone calls, get directions, and control music, among other functions.