There are many cars that offer controls on the steering wheel; these have some benefits for the driver but also some disadvantages. If you’re thinking about buying a car or looking to change your steering wheel, this article might be of interest. We take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of steering wheel controls.
Steering wheel controls are a convenient way of changing the volume of your sound system, altering the track and generally interfacing with your car. Instead of needing to find the button on your dashboard, you can quickly do these things from your steering wheel. Some people find this more convenient, especially if their car has a very complicated dashboard with lots of buttons. Finding the right one when driving can be frustrating; this can be avoided if you have the right buttons mounted on the steering wheel.
Once you get used to your car, you’ll be able to use the steering wheel buttons without needing to look down and take your eyes off the road. The same can’t be said for using the buttons on your dashboard or radio. There are often way too many of these to be able to navigate them without taking your eyes off the road. Keeping your eyes on the road is especially important when you’re driving through cities, on busy roads and in poor weather conditions. Even looking away from the road for a second can increase your chances of being in an accident.
You might find that the buttons on your steering wheel get in the way when you’re trying to drive. Accidentally pressing them when you’re driving can be more of a distraction that can impact your ability to drive safely. Some people don’t have this problem; it all depends on the position of their hands and how well the steering wheel has been designed. Before agreeing to buy a new car, it's worth taking it out for a test drive and taking note of the comfort of the steering wheel and if the buttons got in the way of your driving.
If you decide to replace your steering wheel with one of the many custom steering wheels available on the market, you might find it more challenging to connect the buttons again. Many custom steering wheels don’t have steering wheel buttons, so you could lose this functionality completely. That’s not an issue if you don’t find them useful; however, if you use them on a regular basis, it can take some time to get used to these buttons being no longer available.
If you’re looking for a sleek steering wheel or one with a sporty aesthetic, the steering wheel buttons can jar with this. You might dislike how the buttons look and wish they weren’t in your car. If this is the case, you can always change your steering wheel for an aftermarket steering wheel without buttons. There are many different styles to choose from when buying a replacement steering wheel, so you can choose one that perfectly matches the aesthetic you’re trying to create for the interior of your car.
Conversely, some people really like the look of the steering wheel buttons in their cars; they feel they look more futuristic and add an appeal to their vehicle. Generally, whether you like steering wheel buttons or not will be a personal preference and related to the type of aesthetic that you're trying to create in the interior of your car.
There are advantages and disadvantages of having a steering wheel with buttons in your car, but overall it comes down to personal choice and how you drive. The best way to figure out what you like best is to take a look at different cars and the options available. It can also be helpful to test drive cars with different steering wheel options; this way, you can see if the buttons get in the way of your driving or if you think they would be helpful to keep your eyes on the road.