How to Unlock a Steering Wheel

No one likes to climb into their car to find out that the steering wheel is locked. This is especially true if you find yourself stranded far away from Mission. Not only does this prevent you from steering the car, in many cases you can’t even start the engine. Don’t panic! Unlocking a steering wheel can be easier than you think. We love to share service tips, so we explain below how to unlock a steering wheel using a few different methods. Then towards the end we explain how to lock your steering wheel. Why would you want to do that? We explain that, too.

How to Unlock a Steering Wheel – 5 Things You can Try

Unlocking a steering wheel isn’t usually difficult, but you may have to try more than one tactic. We recommend trying the methods below in the order they are presented until one of them works. But, if none of them work, don’t worry. The service technicians at Burns Motors know how to unlock a steering wheel, and have other Edinburg drivers to do just that.

• Try to turn the key and the steering wheel simultaneously.

Apply varying amounts of pressure to the key while it is in the ignition, while at the same time working the wheel back and forth. Even when locked, the steering wheel should turn slightly. Keep this up until the steering wheel unlocks. Caution: Do NOT try to force either the key or the steering wheel by applying too much pressure. You don’t want a bent key or, even worse, one that is broken off in the ignition.

• Try a different key.

Your key could be worn, which is why it’s not working.

• Clean out any debris in the ignition.

Slide the key in and out of the ignition to clear any trapped debris that might be keeping the ignition from turning. If this doesn’t work, take the key out of the ignition and spray some puffs of canned air (available from most electronics and office supply stores) into the keyhole.

• Lubricate the ignition.

You can do this using an electronics cleaner or a lubricant like WD 40. Just use two or three squirts, though. Note: this is a temporary solution. You will need to replace the ignition cylinder eventually.

• Replace the ignition cylinder.

If none of the above methods work, this is the last option. But most amateur mechanics are capable of this, and instructions on how to do this are easy to find.

How to Lock Your Steering Wheel

Why on Earth would you want to do this? For one thing, if you know how to lock your steering wheel, you’ll know how it got locked in the first place, and you can avoid doing it in the future. Secondly, it’s a theft deterrent. Because even if a thief is able to hotwire your vehicle, he will not be able to steer it if the steering wheel is locked. How to lock your steering wheel is simple: just turn the wheel all the way in either direction before turning off the car.

Let Burns Motors in McAllen Help

If you need any assistance getting your steering wheel unlocked or with anything else, schedule an appointment with our service department. And, if you found this guide to be helpful, you may also enjoy our post on how often to rotate tires. We’re just a short trip away from Pharr, and we’re here to help. So, drop by or contact us today.