Is the steering wheel the same as the direction wheel?

[MacHarrison]

Steering wheel is the direction wheel, which is a wheel-shaped device used to control the driving direction of cars, ships, aircraft, etc. Its function is to convert the force applied by the driver to the edge of the steering wheel into torque and then transmit it to the steering shaft. It is mainly composed of a skeleton, foam, and the corresponding installation clips or screw holes for the driver airbag DAB. The appropriate position of the steering wheel is to adjust the front and rear distance of the steering wheel to a natural sitting posture, with one hand gently resting on the top of the steering wheel and the arm kept basically straight with only a slight bend. The prerequisite for adjusting the front and rear distance and angle of the car steering wheel is to ensure that the seat parameters have been fully adjusted to a reasonable position. Only when the seat is correctly adjusted can the steering wheel adjustment step be carried out.

[JosephLee]

I specifically asked the mechanic about this when I was getting my car repaired recently. The steering wheel is actually what we commonly call the '方向盘' (steering wheel), and that's how veteran drivers refer to it. You'll notice that car manuals always use the term 'steering wheel' because it sounds more professional. But in everyday conversation, saying '方向盘' is easier to understand, especially since driving instructors teach it that way. Some people think there's a difference between the two, but '方向盘' is just the colloquial term. It's like how the technical term for car tires is 'wheel assembly,' but who actually says that in daily life? When it's time to turn, people still say, 'Turn the wheel half a turn to the left.' However, repair shop work orders must use 'steering wheel' to appear more formal.

[LaAlexandra]

When I accompanied a friend to buy a car, I noticed that the sales consultant kept using the term 'steering wheel.' I was puzzled at first, thinking, isn't it just the 'steering wheel'? Later, after checking some materials, I learned that in automotive engineering terminology, the full name is 'steering control mechanism assembly,' with the 'steering wheel' being the core component. It's perfectly fine for us ordinary people to call it the 'steering wheel,' but professional repair manuals always use the term 'steering wheel.' Once, I saw a traffic accident liability determination document that stated 'steering system failure leading to steering wheel malfunction'—such formal documents must use technical terms. When washing my car, I still say, 'Clean the steering wheel a bit more.'

[JoannaAnn]

When I was learning to drive, the textbooks all used the term 'steering wheel,' but the instructor would say 'turn the wheel faster.' Now I understand—the former is the standard terminology, while the latter is industry slang. Mechanical principle books refer to it as the 'steering wheel' when discussing the steering system, but car enthusiast groups use 'steering wheel' when talking about modifications. Once, a modification shop owner quoted 500 yuan to 'wrap the steering wheel in leather,' and I thought it was a new part—turns out it was just reupholstering the steering wheel. These two terms are used in different contexts, but essentially, they both refer to that large round disc in the middle with the airbag.

[SanAriel]

When I first started driving, the term 'steering wheel' confused me. Later, I found that mechanics would say 'steering system,' but when directing me to reverse, they still shouted 'turn the steering wheel to the left.' On the maintenance checklist at the 4S shop, I saw an item for 'steering wheel free play inspection,' which is essentially testing the steering wheel's dead zone. When shopping online for a car steering wheel cover, the product details pages all used professional descriptions like 'steering wheel accessories.' In the end, both terms are interchangeable—it just depends on whether you're chatting with a technician or hanging out with friends. Once, while watching a live stream on Douyin, the host mentioned that a luxury car worth millions had a 'heated steering wheel,' but the screen was flooded with comments saying 'steering wheel.'