How to Unlock Steering Wheel Without Key - Useful Tips

You are in a hurry for any emergency, but you cannot start your car due to steering wheel lock. You have also tried your best several times to start and, yet your car won’t start. Here, we are providing guidelines how to unlock steering wheel to overcome this critical stage.

Basically, the car steering wheel can be unlocked by using the car ignition key, but always you cannot unlock it by this way as car key won’t turn. However, we will explain the main reasons for steering wheel locked up and also how to unlock a steering wheel.

Main Reasons for the Steering Wheel Lock

1. Safety matter

When you turn off your car and remove the key, wheel will be locked to avoid unwanted movement. On the other hand, it is saving your car from thieves who can steal your vehicle by hotwire mechanism. The modern car manufacturers keep this feature at your car for increasing the safety of your vehicles.

2. Problems with power steering pump

During the old days, we steered the wheel with muscle strength, which is now solved in modern cars by the usage of power steering pump. Thus, it is easy to turn the steering wheel for moving at any direction. If the steering pump jams due to dirt or debris or faulty steering bush, your steering wheel will be locked.

3. Often taking sharp turns

If you always remain in the mood of taking sharp turn, this is one of the reasons of facing steering wheel locked up. You may not give more attention while taking sharp turns, but it is damaging your car’s transmission system and car engine. Due to more sharp turns, power steering pump can be stuck which will result in a car steering wheel lock.

4. Using broken ignition key mechanism

From time to time, you may face car ignition lock or car key won’t turn, even after trying several times. In that phase, you can’t unlock the steering wheel with key at standard process. If you face broken ignition key, you cannot switch the car on or off as requires. You may also face “sudden lock up” which is very risky for you. You need to know how to unlock steering wheel with dead battery

How to Unlock Steering Wheel

You have already understood the causes of steering wheel locked, let’s start the process to unlock it. It will be easier for you now as you can understand where to start. You need some basic tools which will help you in the steering wheel unlocking procedure.

a. A Screwdriver

b. Socket sets

c. WD40

First process: how to unlock steering wheel

Method-1 Insert the Car Key

Most of the cases, the steering wheel will lock as you may apply more pressure on the steering wheel while leaving the car after switched off. In this issue, insert the car key in the ignition switch and turn it smoothly. If you turn the key and engine starts, then the steering wheel will also unlock. If this method doesn’t work, no problem you can try the below methods.

Method-2 Turn the Key Firmly and Move the Wheel

You should try again inserting the key and turn it firmly. Here you should remain alert while giving force so that you do not break the key. Besides doing this, apply pressure to the steering wheel to move in one direction. If you keep turning the key and applying pressure on the wheel simultaneously, it can unlock the steering wheel.

Method-3 Collect the Spare Key

Our aim is how to unlock the steering wheel without key if you lose or break the ignition key. Then collect the spare key and follow the above two steps. Hopefully it will work.

Method-4 Use WD40

Sometimes ignition cylinder is liable not to start the engine due to rust or moisture. On the ignition spot you can spray WD 40 which will remove rust and moisture. Then you can turn the ignition key and can unlock the steering wheel.

Second process: how to unlock steering wheel

If you are not successful to unlock the wheel with the above-mentioned process you have to replace ignition set. It is somehow technical, even though you can do this by following your car’s owner’s manual. I am describing the process to unlock steering wheel without key  step by step.

First Step- Take away the Cover Panel

Remove both the upper and lower cover panel gradually of the steering while by loosening the screws. You have now easy access to do any task.

Second Step- Detach the Lock Cylinder

Now you have to bring out the lock cylinder. For doing this, you have to press the lock release tab and turn the ignition key simultaneously. The lock cylinder will move backward and bring it out.

Third Step- Install the New Lock Cylinder

Try your key to turn the new lock cylinder. If you can turn it successfully, then install the new lock cylinder at the right place. After installing, give a full turn of the ignition key to ensure its effectiveness.

Fourth Step- Reinstall the Cover Panel

The final step is to reinstall the cover panel. You should install the upper part first and then the lower part. After that screw properly and check the fitment carefully.

If you can replace the lock cylinder accurately, you are successful in the process how to unlock the steering wheel.

Guides for avoiding Car Wheel lock

1. Do routine maintenance of your car and check regularly.

2. Avoid sharp turns of your vehicle as much as possible.

3. Use the best power steering fluid and check the fluid level. If it is less from the standard level, fill it without any delay.

4. Never give pressure or turn the steering wheel after you stop the car engine.

5. Keep neat and clean the steering wheel and cover panel to avoid the steering column lock.

6. Use excellent steering wheel cover to avoid rust and smooth driving and buy good brand for example Valleycomfy or SEG Leather Steering Wheel

7. Always turn the ignition key gently which will save you from steering lock, otherwise you may break the ignition key or lose its function.

Final Thoughts

An unlock steering wheel is the most unexpected things as it will oppose to start driving and you need to remain stuck at that place.

Now you have learnt the process how to unlock steering wheel either, you have the key or not. By this time, you know the causes of the steering wheel lock and different procedures to unlock the steering wheel. Thus, you apply any of the methods according to the locked steering wheel, you can find any effective method to unlock the steering wheel and enjoy hassle-free driving of your car.