It is not uncommon to have your Hyundai Elantra steering wheel locked. A steering wheel lock is a security measure used by automobile companies to help prevent car theft. Here we provide reasons why your Hyundai Elantra steering wheel may lock and two easy DIY solutions to this problem.
Why Does My Hyundai Elantra Steering Wheel Lock?
Generally, your Hyundai Elantra steering wheel locks when you turn the wheel after turning off the engine. It is a safety measure that activates once a person moves a steering wheel without a key in the ignition. It prevents car theft by making the vehicle harder to steal. The wheel lock also ensures that your car is safely parked.
This feature becomes necessary when you park your manual Hyundai Elantra on an incline or a descent. If the parking gear or brake fails, leaving the wheels straight will allow for a straight descent down any straight path. Your Hyundai Elantra will end up crashing with significant force into any object ahead.
However, turning steering towards the right side when parked on an incline will force your car into a u-turn. Your car will end up perpendicular to the incline. Although the force of the movement will try to straighten the wheels, the steering wheel lock will prevent that from occurring. This minimizes the risk of damage to the vehicle and injury to other pedestrians or drivers.
How Do I lock my Hyundai Elantra Steering Wheel?
Your Hyundai Elantra steering wheel has two levels of locks. Turning your wheel after switching off the ignition activates the first lock level. Continue turning your car steering repeatedly without starting the car to enter the second lock level. The major difference between the first and the second wheel lock level is that in the latter scenario, the wheel is completely stiff and incapable of making any turn.
What Do I Do When My Hyundai Elantra Steering Wheel Is Locked?
The first step to unlocking a locked Hyundai Elantra Steering wheel is to verify the lock level. Gently nudge the wheel to see if there is any limited freedom. If there is, then you are on the first tier. If you find the wheel locked solid, the steering wheel is on the second lock level.
If your Hyundai Elantra is on the first lock level, start it by turning it in the same direction the wheel faces. Perform this action while turning the key in the ignition. Failure to perform these two tasks simultaneously will activate the second-level lock.
Although your wheel seems locked solid on the second level of wheel locking, you should be able to turn minimally in one direction. To unlock, hold your steering in the freest direction with one hand, and try starting your ignition with the other hand. After removing a second wheel level lock, your steering wheel may seem unaligned when driving.
Final words
If you find your Hyundai Elantra steering wheel locked, don't panic. Follow the steps we have provided here to get your wheel free again. Avoid putting your steering wheel on a second-level lock to prevent having to realign your wheels.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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