Does the Steering Wheel Automatically Return to Center?

[McOlive]

All car steering wheels have an automatic return-to-center function. In professional terms, this steering wheel return is called the steering wheel stability effect. The automatic return-to-center performance is a fundamental feature of vehicles and an important evaluation criterion for vehicle handling performance. All motor vehicles, regardless of the type of steering system or whether they have power assistance, should have the ability to return to center. This is particularly noticeable while driving, as it is difficult to return to a straight position when stationary, but there should still be some return force. To explain its principle in detail: When a car is driving in a straight line, if an external force forcibly changes its original path, the steering wheel will naturally regain the ability to drive straight. Achieving the steering wheel stability effect relies on three core components: the steering wheel, the kingpin, and the front axle. The installation of these three core components follows specific rules, including parameters such as the caster angle, kingpin inclination angle, and wheel camber angle. The kingpin inclination angle refers to the angle between the kingpin axis and the vertical line perpendicular to the ground. Most vehicles are set with a positive value when leaving the factory. The angle between the kingpin axis and the vertical line is the caster angle. When the steering wheel is turned, the tire rotates around the kingpin as the center. The ground's reaction force on the tire lifts the front of the car, and under the vehicle's own gravity, the wheel will return to a position parallel to the direction of travel, making it easier for the steering wheel to return to center.