Aftermarket steering wheels can change the feel and handling of your car, but when you’re selecting one, you need to make the right decision. Sure, you can potentially change it again, but it's best to get the choice right initially. This article has some tips for helping you choose the right steering wheel. 

Steering wheel diameter

Most cars are fitted with very large steering wheels to help people of all ages use the vehicle. However, this isn’t necessarily the most comfortable wheel to use on a vehicle and the option that will give you the best feeling when you’re driving the car. A smaller diameter wheel will be more responsive to your movements, especially at higher speeds. To determine the diameter you need for your car, take a look at the space you have when sitting behind the wheel. Determine where your hands naturally fall and what would feel more comfortable to drive. This can be hard to figure out if you’ve never experienced a smaller steering wheel before. Try to test different wheel sizes on cars with similar space in the front; this may help you determine what would be best for your vehicle. Generally, wheels range from 250 mm to 380mm. Larger wheels are beneficial on off-road vehicles as they will reduce the effort needed to steer at low speeds. 

Steering wheel material

Aftermarket steering wheels come in several different materials, each with its own benefits, but the decision is usually made based on the driver’s preferences. Leather is a popular choice that looks great in any vehicle; it's also durable and has a great grip. You don’t necessarily need to wear gloves to get a good grip with a leather steering wheel. Carbon fibre is ideal for those looking to reduce the weight of their car as much as possible; this type of wheel is grippy if you wear the right gloves. Wood is a more classic material used for some steering wheels and works well in classic cars; it's hard-wearing and can be gripped when wearing leather gloves. Suede is a material that’s often used in motorsport for steering wheels. Its ability to provide grip makes it very popular; even wet or sweaty hands can't grip a suede steering wheel. However, suede as a material needs more care than the others mentioned to keep it in good condition. Those looking for a cheaper alternative to leather can opt for a polyurethane steering wheel; they’re very durable and have the same grip level as a leather steering wheel.

Steering wheel dish

The dish of the steering wheel is how flat or deep the steering wheel is; a deeper steering wheel will sit closer to the driver. The options are deep dish, also known as full dish and semi or half-dished steering wheels. If a standard boss steering wheel kit has been added to the car, a deep dish will be much closer to the driver, this can be beneficial as more effort will be needed to turn the steering wheel at low speeds, especially if with a small diameter steering wheel. Semi or half-dish wheels sit almost flat against the point where they’re mounted. Boss kits also adjust the spacing so the wheel can sit further or closer to the driver. If you want a semi or half-dish wheel to be in the same place as the original wheel, you can use a boss kit to get this spacing correct. Boss kits are also required for the fitting of many aftermarket steering wheels to allow the new wheel to be correctly fitted to the car. 

These are the main things to consider when choosing an aftermarket steering wheel. It’s important to think about all of the pros and cons of each steering wheel option rather than picking the one you think looks best. If you don’t have space in your car for a deep dish wheel, you might find driving becomes uncomfortable. Alternatively, if you choose a suede wheel but fail to keep up with the maintenance and care, the wheel will begin to look shoddy and may need to be replaced. Always choose a steering wheel that works with your vehicle and your individual needs. Read more about car steering wheels and their history.