To make things even simpler, the steering wheel is perfectly balanced for operation, meaning that it takes the same amount of force to move the wheel from any point on the wheel compared to any other shape.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ll also explain each of these in more detail and steer you towards other options that have been tried to turn a car in the direction we want it to take us.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The symmetry of movement alone is one of the biggest reasons that steering wheels are round. Not to mention the comfort<\/strong> and how easy<\/strong> it is to steer with a round steering wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But to make things even simpler, the steering wheel is perfectly balanced for operation, meaning that it takes the same amount of force to move the wheel from any point on the wheel compared to any other shape. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any other shape for a control arm would lead to an unbalance in the steering controls’ weight distribution.\u00a0A square<\/strong>\u00a0device would be awkward to control and would limit hand placement on the steering controls. \u00a0A triangle shape would always lead to an uncomfortable driving position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a circle, you can place your hands wherever you want and still have room to move around.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The circle shape makes parking easy<\/strong> and possible. Any other configuration would cause parking and driving in reverse to be tricky. Imagine trying to parallel park with a square “wheel.” Many of us would never have passed a driving test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this video, you can see how the driver can easily turn<\/a> the wheel and make corrections with relative ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The circle allows for movement to occur concerning the shape of the human body in a sitting position. No matter what size or shape of the operator that gets behind the wheel, the motion, movement, and sensitivity are always the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If someone’s weight hasn’t caught up to their height yet, the wheel is still comfortable enough to adjust for driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hand placement is crucial when trying to find the perfect spot to drive. Whether it’s\u00a010 and 2\u00a0<\/a>o’clock (or the currently recommended\u00a09 and 3<\/a>) or even 8 and 4, all these combinations are possible with a round steering wheel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine trying to find the 9 and 3 on a triangular steering “wheel.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n Round steering wheels are not the only way to turn a car. Here are some other ways that have been tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early automobiles used a Tiller-style steering lever like a shipping form of steering a rudder. The lever would need to be pushed in the\u00a0opposite direction of the intended travel<\/strong>. The lever is pushed to the right, the wheels would pivot, and the vehicle turns to the left.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a steering wheel, the operator turns the wheel in the direction that they wish to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some manufacturers used the tiller steering design in the early 1900s in England. Rauch and Lang<\/a> Carriage company was one of the last companies to abandon the tiller steering in favor of using the steering wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ladder trucks use tiller steering to control the trailer where the ladder is connected to the trailer. Some recumbent bicycles also use the tiller steering system with a person seated almost lying inside the Bicycle with the lever positioned between the legs rising to the rider’s chest. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The little red wagon<\/a> also uses tiller steering as well as mobility scooters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trikes and 4-wheelers use tiller steering to control the vehicle. Other vehicles still use the tiller to effectively steer the vessel. These are mostly slow-moving vehicles or remote-controlled vehicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we are used to handlebars on bikes and motorcycles<\/a>, why not use them for cars? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Motorcycles and other lightweight vehicles use handlebars instead of steering wheels as there is not much involved in turning the bike<\/strong>, which can easily be controlled by the handlebars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a large four-wheeled vehicle, the handlebars would become too difficult to control the car at higher speeds; therefore, you need leverage or a rack and pinion system, which requires a wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, if a car had handlebars, then you could only turn the handles as far as the dash would allow you to. There’s no way you could ever make a 90-degree turn with a dashboard in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it doesn’t mean somebody hasn’t tried building a car with handlebars.\u00a0 Check out\u00a0this image<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSymmetry of Movement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Symmetry](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Symmetry-of-Movement.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Steering](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Steering-Wheel-and-comfort.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nOther Types of Steering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTiller Steering<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Canva-Hand-on-Tiller-Steering-a-Schooner-Sailboat.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHandlebars<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"handle-bars.\"](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Canva-Vintage-mini-motorcycle-monkeybike-handle-bars..jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSquare Steering Wheels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n