Unexpected benefit of smaller steering wheel
Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:57 pm
I replaced the worn-out standard GTV6 leather wheel (diam 15” or 380 mm) with a smaller woodrim (I assume plastic wood-grain) item -- Autotechnica, 350 mm.
I was expecting maybe increased steering heaviness at parking speeds because of laws of physics, but in fact it seems much easier to park – I suppose partly because the wheel surface is so smooth, but in addition the smaller diameter definitely makes parallel parking a more trivial exercise. I was very surprised – it’s a huge improvement for me. Plus better big-person access getting in & out etc. No downside at all that I can see, and it was dirt cheap, on special (US$50 plus hub). Good placeholder while I decide if a Momo would make me a better person.
I was expecting maybe increased steering heaviness at parking speeds because of laws of physics, but in fact it seems much easier to park – I suppose partly because the wheel surface is so smooth, but in addition the smaller diameter definitely makes parallel parking a more trivial exercise. I was very surprised – it’s a huge improvement for me. Plus better big-person access getting in & out etc. No downside at all that I can see, and it was dirt cheap, on special (US$50 plus hub). Good placeholder while I decide if a Momo would make me a better person.