Comments on: Smart Wheel. Innovations In Steering Wheels

By: Miles

Miles — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:33:27 +0000

When the lights flash and functions such as cruise don’t work properly, the problem is likely the clockspring. This is a common problem and many times the airbag system failure light will be on as well. I replaced the clockspring in my F350 just a couple of months ago. It is basically a thin ribbon-like tape wound like the mainspring in a clock with wires going to the buttons. Clocksprings flex and break after many turns of the wheel.

If you decide to fix it yourself, make sure you disconnect the battery (or batteries) and wait for the airbag controller to totally shut down. Accidentally setting off the airbag wouldn’t be a good idea when you’re taking the steering wheel apart.

By: Lug_Nut

Lug_Nut — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:07:17 +0000

Mike, It sounds like a control module issue, or, less likely, a wiring problem. I would recommend taking it to a repair center that is familiar with the Smart Wheel. Thank you for youy input.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:57:22 +0000

My motorhome has a smart wheel and when I turn on the wipers the lights go off, any input? Thanks Mike

By: Mouhamad A. Naboulsi

Mouhamad A. Naboulsi — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:59:22 +0000

I would choose HOWI(TN). The Hands On Wheel Interface patented/patent pending in the US, EU and Japan.

This Samrt Steering Wheel, as dubed by the press, has only one switch on each side that can be used to toggle between options based on sensed conditions. The sensors understand thumb gesture as in thumbs up is yes or thumbs down is no.

So let’s say that I used the switches or sensors to change a radio station then a second later I received a call, the same sensors will be used to answer the phone or send it to voice mail.

By: Lug_Nut

Lug_Nut — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:31:52 +0000

ShapeShifter, Great input. You really understand this issue. Thank you for your valued comments on this topic.

By: ShapeShifter

ShapeShifter — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:32:25 +0000

Nice writeup, even if it did take me this long to finally see it…

I love my Smart Wheel, and use all of the buttons regularly. I like your idea of having a couple extra buttons, especially if they were user programmable. Two functions I would like to see are:

– Manual exhaust brake control: I’d like a mode where I can lift off the accelerator pedal and coast without the exhaust brake activating, but have it activate by pushing a steering wheel button or the brake pedal — and have it stay activated until I press the accelerator or press the button again.

– Manual camera control: I have a monitor that displays three cameras (left, right, rear) as well as a system monitor screen. Rather than lean over and reach for the button on the screen, I’d like a steering wheel button that lets me easily cycle through the display modes, and more importantly override the automatic selections. (Like while waiting at a turn and the left side camera is automatically selected, I’d like to be able to quickly check the rear camera to see how much traffic is piling up behind me. Or while stopped on the side of the road getting ready to back into my driveway, the four way flashers trigger a side camera, I’d like to be able to override it to the rear camera.)

With the myriad switches and controls spread across the dash, these two are the ones I’m always reaching for. It would be great to get them on the wheel, especially if they could have the increased functionality I described.

By: Lug_Nut

Lug_Nut — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:36:53 +0000

Hey Pete, The heat seakers are always on the right and the “Fire and forget” 120’s are on the left. That would just make a new statement of road rage that we are not prepared ever for. Thanks for your humorous input.

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:15:11 +0000

Where’s the trigger for the ground-to-ground missles?