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55-417: The Slingshot has a tilt-adjustable steering wheel , side-by-side bucket seats , and does not lean . It has no roof , doors , or side windows. The open interior is waterproof and can be hosed down and drained because it has drain holes in the floor. The S and SL models include a 20x9-inch back wheel fitted with a 255mm width tire, and 18x7.5-inch front wheels with 225mm wide tires. The SLR and R models have

110-436: A bolt circle pattern with six bolts placed along a circle 70 mm in diameter. Other examples of common bolt patterns are 3×1.75 in (44.45 mm), 5×2.75 in (69.85 mm), 6×74 mm and 6×2.75 in (69.85 mm). The quick release itself is often proprietary. The steering wheel should be used with strategic movements of the hand and wrist in spinning motions. Caution and care should be used to ensure

165-471: A ship's wheel . Rapid or excessive movement of the tiller results in an increase in drag and will result in braking or slowing the boat. A tiller is a lever used to steer a vehicle. It provides leverage in the form of torque to turn the device that changes the direction of the vehicle, such as a rudder on a watercraft or the surface wheels on a wheeled vehicle . A tiller can be used by directly pulling or pushing it, but it may also be moved remotely using

220-417: A whipstaff , tiller lines , or a ship's wheel , among other variations. (For example, some kayaks have foot pedals that turn a tiller.) Tillers on outboard motors often employ an additional control mechanism where twisting of the shaft is used to vary speed. In watercraft, the tiller may be attached to a rudder post (American terminology) or rudder stock (English terminology) that provides leverage in

275-497: A buffer or absorber between the driver's hands and the vibration transmitted from the road surfaces. Most were three- or four-spokes made of four or five wires in each spoke, hence the name "Banjo". Edward James Lobdell developed the original tilt wheel in the early 1900s. A 7-position tilt wheel was introduced by the Saginaw Division of General Motors in 1963 for all passenger car divisions except Chevrolet which received

330-461: A conventional five-speed manual or an AutoDrive five-speed automated manual transmission the first time an automatic transmission has been made available on the Slingshot. This transmission is essentially the same standard five-speed synchromesh-equipped manual gearbox, but the clutch and shifting are hydraulically actuated and computer-controlled . The interior was also redesigned, and

385-498: A decade, the steering wheel had entirely replaced the tiller in automobiles. At the insistence of Thomas B. Jeffery, the driver's position was also moved to the left-hand side of the car during the 1903 Rambler production. Most other car makers began offering cars with left-hand drive in 1910. Soon after, most cars in the US converted to left-hand drive. Steering wheels for passenger automobiles are generally circular. They are mounted to

440-420: A detachable or a quick-release hub. The steering wheel can be removed without using tools by pressing a button. The system is often found in narrow-spaced racing cars to facilitate the driver getting in and out, as well as in other cars as an anti-theft device. The quick-release connector is often brand-specific, with some makes being interchangeable. The most common mounting pattern is 6×70 mm, which denotes

495-452: A diameter as possible to reduce the effort needed to turn. As cars grew progressively lower and driver's areas more compact throughout the 1960s and 1970s, steering wheels became smaller to fit into the interior space. The number of spokes in the steering wheel has continuously changed. Most early cars had four-spoke steering wheels. A Banjo steering wheel was an option in early automobiles. They predate power steering. The wire spokes were

550-523: A front-mounted engine and a steering wheel mounted on the left-hand side. However, the early automaker adopted a more "conventional" rear-engine and tiller-steering layout for its first mass-produced Ramblers in 1902. The following year, the Rambler Model E was largely unchanged, except that it came equipped with a tiller early in the year that was changed to a steering wheel by the end of 1903. By 1904, all Ramblers featured steering wheels. Within

605-400: A locking ring surrounding the center hub and offered a 3-inch (76 mm) range of adjustment. A swing-away steering column was introduced in the 1961 Ford Thunderbird and made available on other Ford products during the 1960s. The swing-away steering wheel allowed the steering wheel to move 9 inches (229 mm) to the right when the transmission selector was in the "park" position to make

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660-533: A locknut before adjustment, many using the Douglas ASW (Adjustable Steering Wheel). In 1949, the Jaguar XK120 introduced a new steering wheel supplied by Bluemel that was driver-adjustable by loosening a sleeve around the column by hand. The 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird had a similar design with 3 inches (76 mm) of total travel. In 1956, the travel was restricted to 2 inches (51 mm). A patent

715-426: A long-established maritime tradition, was that it provided consistency—regardless of whether a vessel was steered directly by the tiller or remotely by a wheel, every vessel had a tiller of some sort and so a tiller order remained true for any vessel. During the transition period the wording of the order was changed, to specify "Wheel to starboard" or "Wheel to port". A well-known and often-depicted example occurred on

770-512: A manufacturer of electric automobiles in Cleveland, Ohio. Lanchester in England also offered tiller steering later than many car manufacturers. Today, tractor-drawn semi-trailers for ladder trucks are called tiller truck and use a "tiller" (rear steering axle) driver to control the trailer where the aerial ladder is located. Some recumbent bicycles employ tiller steering. The tiller of

825-567: A ship to port (its left side), the helmsman would be given the order " starboard helm" or " x degrees starboard". The ship's tiller was then moved to starboard, turning the rudder to the vessel's port side, producing a turn to port. The opposite convention applied in France (where tribord —starboard—meant turn to starboard), but Austria and Italy kept to the English system. There was no standardisation in vessels from Scandinavian countries, where

880-414: A square-type steering wheel with rounded corners, described as a 'squircle'. The objective of the flat bottom is to ease diver egress while the flattened top enhances the line of sight when driving. General Motors applied for a US patent for a modular steering control that can be updated with components or changed in shape ranging from a traditional circle to a yoke. In countries where cars must drive on

935-535: A steering wheel and intended for use in racing games . An early example is the Telstar Arcade , which featured a wheel in 1977 for use in the Road Race game that came packaged with it. Some modern gaming wheels employ force feedback to simulate the tactile feedback a real driver feels from a steering wheel, as well as buttons to allow for more inputs. Tiller (automobile) A tiller or till

990-467: Is a lever used to steer a vehicle. The mechanism is primarily used in watercraft, where it is attached to an outboard motor , rudder post or stock to provide leverage in the form of torque for the helmsman to turn the rudder . A tiller may also be used in vehicles outside of water, and was seen in early automobiles. On vessels, a tiller can be used by the helmsman directly pulling or pushing it, but it may also be moved remotely using tiller lines or

1045-458: Is accomplished when the ignition key is removed from the ignition lock. See steering lock . The driver's seat and steering wheel are centrally located on certain high-performance sports cars, such as the McLaren F1 , and most single-seat racing cars. As drivers may continuously have their hands on the steering wheel for many hours, these are designed with ergonomics in mind. However,

1100-426: Is also an optional fiberglass wind and sun cover, which Polaris calls a "Slingshade", that features inset polycarbonate windows and snaps onto the Slingshot's tube frame, acting somewhat like a hardtop roof. The steering wheel, gear stick , and brake, clutch, and throttle pedals have a conventional automobile layout. Depending on the jurisdiction, the Slingshot may be registered as a motorcycle or autocycle . It

1155-413: Is called dry steering . It is generally advised to avoid dry steering as it strains the steering mechanism and causes undue wear to the tires. The first button added to the steering wheel was a switch to activate the car's electric horn . Traditionally located on the steering wheel hub or center pad, the horn switch was sometimes placed on the spokes or activated via a decorative horn ring, which obviated

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1210-594: Is classified as an autocycle in 49 states (with one state, Massachusetts, requiring a motorcycle license) as of January 2024. Three-point seat belts are fitted; however, it has no airbags or crumple zone , and in certain jurisdictions, the driver and passenger must wear motorcycle helmets . Beginning with the 2020 model year, the Slingshot is powered by a 2.0 L inline four -cylinder gasoline-powered Polaris ProStar Engine rated at 203 hp (151 kW; 206 PS) at 8250 rpm and 144 pound force-feet (195 N⋅m) of torque at 6500 rpm. It can be fitted to either

1265-566: Is the brodie knob . A similar device in aircraft is the yoke . Water vessels not steered from a stern-mounted tiller are directed with the ship's wheel , which may have inspired the concept of the steering wheel. The steering wheel is better than other user interfaces and has persisted because driving requires precise feedback that is provided by a large interface. Early Formula One cars used steering wheels taken directly from road cars. They were normally made from wood. Without interior cabin packaging constraints, they tended to be made as large

1320-431: Is the part of the steering system that the driver manipulates; the rest of the steering system responds to such driver inputs. This can be through direct mechanical contact as in recirculating ball or rack and pinion steering gears, without or with the assistance of hydraulic power steering , HPS, or as in some modern production cars with the help of computer-controlled motors, known as electric power steering . Near

1375-512: The RMS Titanic in 1912 just before she collided with an iceberg . When the iceberg appeared directly in front of the ship, her officer-of-the-watch, First Officer William Murdoch , decided to attempt to clear the iceberg by swinging the ship to its port side. He ordered "Hard-a-Starboard", which was a Tiller Order directing the helmsman to turn the wheel to port (anti-clockwise) as far as it would go. The Titanic 's steering gear then pushed

1430-465: The SOLAS Convention of 1929, it was common for steering orders on ships to be given as "Tiller Orders", which dictated to which side of the vessel the tiller was to be moved. Since the tiller is forward of the rudder's pivot point, and the rudder aft of it, the tiller's movement is reversed at the rudder, giving the impression that orders were given "the wrong way round". For example, to turn

1485-423: The steering column by a hub connected to the outer ring of the steering wheel by one or more spokes (single spoke wheels being a relatively rare exception). Other types of vehicles may use a modified circular design, a butterfly shape, or some other shape, such as a yoke. On some Tesla models, the steering control is through a yoke rectangle shaped with rounded edges and two pistol grips. The C8 Corvette includes

1540-436: The "wrist-twist" steering of the 1965 Mercury Park Lane concept car was controlled by two 5-inch (127 mm) rings, none have yet been deployed as successfully as the conventional large steering wheel. Passenger automobile regulations implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation required the locking of steering wheel rotation (or transmission locked in "park") to hinder motor vehicle theft ; in most vehicles, this

1595-529: The 1990s, a proliferation of new buttons began to appear on automobile steering wheels. Remote or alternate adjustments could include vehicle audio , telephone, and voice control navigation. Scroll wheels or buttons are often used to set volume levels or page through menus and change radio stations or audio tracks. These controls can use universal interfaces, wired or wirelessly. Game controllers are available for arcade cabinets , personal computers, and console games that are designed to look and feel like

1650-505: The driver from the steering column in case of a crash. Power steering affords the driver reduced effort to steer the car. Modern power steering has almost universally relied on a hydraulic system, although electrical systems are steadily replacing this technology. Mechanical power steering systems were introduced, such as on 1953 Studebakers . However, hydraulically assisted systems have prevailed. While other methods of steering passenger cars have resulted from experiments, for example,

1705-417: The driver's exit and entry easier. A tilt-away wheel was introduced by Ford in 1967 after updates to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards requirements. Though it was an update to the swing-away steering wheel, which did not meet updated safety standards, it offers limited movement but added convenience due to the automatic pop-over function over its predecessor. Some steering wheels can be mounted on

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1760-435: The electric threewheeler TWIKE – called Joystick – includes buttons for acceleration and electric braking. Mobility scooters are usually fitted with a tiller. Most large, transport category airplanes use a device known as a tiller to steer the airplane while taxiing . This usually takes the form of a small steering wheel or lever in the cockpit, often one for the pilot and one for the co-pilot. However, they differ from

1815-610: The exterior was updated. For the 2015 through 2019 model years, the Slingshot was powered by a GM-sourced 2.4 L Ecotec I4 that is rated at 173 hp (129 kW; 175 PS) at 6200 rpm and 166 pound force-feet (225 N⋅m) of torque at 4700 rpm. Steering wheel A steering wheel (also called a driving wheel , a hand wheel , or simply wheel ) is a type of steering control in vehicles . Steering wheels are used in most modern land vehicles, including all mass-production automobiles , buses, light and heavy trucks, as well as tractors and tanks . The steering wheel

1870-464: The form of torque to turn the rudder . In steering a boat, the tiller is always moved in the direction opposite of which the bow of the boat is to move. If the tiller is moved to port side (left), the bow will turn to starboard (right). If the tiller is moved to starboard (right), the bow will turn port (left). Sailing students often learn the alliterative phrase "Tiller Towards Trouble" to remind them of how to steer. Rapid or excessive movement of

1925-493: The left side of the road , the steering wheel is typically on the right side of the car (right-hand drive or RHD); the converse applies in countries where cars drive on the right side of the road (left-hand drive or LHD). In addition to its use in steering, the steering wheel is the usual location for a button to activate the car's horn . Modern automobiles may have other controls, such as cruise control , audio system, and telephone controls, as well as paddle-shifters , built into

1980-489: The most crucial concern is that the driver can effectively convey torque to the steering system, especially in vehicles without power steering or in the rare event of a loss of steering assist. A typical design for circular steering wheels is a steel or magnesium rim with a plastic or rubberized grip molded over and around it. Some drivers purchase vinyl or textile steering wheel covers to enhance grip and comfort or simply as decoration. Another device used to make steering easier

2035-615: The necessity of moving a hand away from the rim. Electrical connections are made via a slip ring . A further development, the Rim Blow steering wheel, integrated the horn switch into the steering wheel rim. In 1966, Ford offered the Highway Pilot Speed Control option with steering wheel pad-mounted rocker switches, on its Thunderbird . Uniquely, the Thunderbird also lightly applied the brakes and illuminated

2090-407: The practice varied from ship to ship. Most French vessels with steering wheels had their steering chains reversed and when under the command of a British pilot this could result in confusion. When large steamships appeared in the late 19th century with telemotors hydraulically connecting the wheel on the bridge to the steering gear at the stern , the practice continued. However, the helmsman

2145-757: The principle. From 1898, the Panhard et Levassor cars were equipped as standard with steering wheels. Charles Rolls introduced the first car in Britain fitted with a steering wheel when he imported a 6 hp Panhard from France in 1898. Arthur Constantin Krebs replaced the tiller with an inclined steering wheel for the Panhard car he designed for the 1898 Paris–Amsterdam–Paris race which ran 7–13 July 1898. In 1898, Thomas B. Jeffery and his son, Charles T. Jeffery, developed two advanced experimental cars featuring

2200-445: The ratchet lock while the steering column remains stationary below the joint. Some designs place the pivot slightly forward along the column, allowing for a fair amount of vertical movement of the steering wheel with slight actual tilt. In contrast, other designs place the pivot almost inside the steering wheel, allowing adjustment of the angle of the steering wheel with nearly no change in its height. An adjustable steering column allows

2255-404: The safety of the extremities. The constant motions used must be performed with caution. "Proper posture of the hand-arm system while using hand tools is essential. As a rule, the wrist should not be bent, but must be kept straight to avoid overexertion of tissues like tendons and tendon sheaths and compression of nerves and blood vessels." Turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary

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2310-462: The same front wheels and tires, but feature an upgraded 20x11-inch rear wheel fitted with a 305mm wide tire. All models have a front double wishbone suspension with an anti-roll bar . An optional five-speed automatic transmission became available in 2020 with the release of the generation two models. A small windshield is an optional extra on the base model, and fitted as standard on the SL model. There

2365-580: The sinking, Second Officer Charles Lightoller, the order was not correctly executed. Quartermaster Hitchins, who had been trained under Rudder Orders, mistakenly turned the wheel to starboard. It took two minutes to recognise and correct the error, by which time it was too late to avoid collision with the iceberg. Louise Patten makes the statement in an endnote to her fictional story, Good as Gold . Although this system seems confusing and contradictory today, to generations of sailors trained on sailing vessels with tiller steering it seemed perfectly logical and

2420-476: The start of the 18th century, many sea vessels appeared using the ship's wheel design. However, historians are unclear when that approach to steering was first used. The first automobiles were steered with a tiller , but in 1894, Alfred Vacheron took part in the Paris–Rouen race with a Panhard 4 hp model which he had fitted with a steering wheel. That is believed to be one of the earliest employments of

2475-418: The steering wheel height to be adjusted with only a small, useful change in tilt. Most of these systems work with compression locks or electric motors instead of ratchet mechanisms; the latter may be capable of moving to a memorized position when a given driver uses the car or automatically moving up and forward to ease egress. Many pre-war British cars offered telescoping steering wheels that required loosening

2530-424: The steering wheel to minimize the extent to which the driver must take their hands off the wheel. The steering wheels were rigid and mounted on non-collapsible steering columns . This arrangement increased the risk of impaling the driver in case of a severe crash. The first collapsible steering column was invented in 1934 but was never successfully marketed. By 1956, Ford came out with a safety steering wheel that

2585-574: The stop lamps when the Retard was continuously depressed with the cruise control on, but not engaged. In 1974, Lincoln added two rocker switches on the steering wheel to activate various cruise control functions on the Continental and Continental Mark IV. In 1988, Pontiac offered a steering wheel with 12 buttons controlling various audio functions on the Trans-Am, 6000 STE and Bonneville . In

2640-405: The tiller results in an increase in drag and will result in braking or slowing the boat. In the early 1500s the tiller was also referred to as the steering stick. Some outboard motors may instead have the tiller directly attached and offer controls for engine throttle and prop rotation for forward and reverse. Until the current international standards for giving steering orders were defined by

2695-408: The tiller toward the starboard side of the ship, swinging the rudder over to port and causing the vessel to turn to port. These actions are faithfully portrayed in the 1997 film of the disaster. Although frequently described as an error, the order was given and executed correctly— the vessel struck the iceberg anyway. However, according to the granddaughter of the highest-ranking officer to survive

2750-498: The tiller with an inclined steering wheel for the Panhard & Levassor car he designed for the Paris-Amsterdam race which ran from 7–13 July 1898. In the US, Packard introduced a steering wheel on the second car they built, in 1899. By early in the next century, the steering wheel had nearly replaced the tiller in automobiles. However, some automobiles still used tillers into the teens, such as Rauch & Lang Carriage Co.,

2805-420: The tilt wheel in 1964. This tilt wheel was also supplied to the other US automakers (except Ford). Originally a luxury option on cars, the tilt function helps to adjust the steering wheel by moving the wheel through an arc in an up and down motion. Tilt Steering Wheels rely upon a ratchet joint located in the steering column just below the steering wheel. The wheel can be adjusted upward or downward by disengaging

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2860-552: Was filed regarding a telescoping steering wheel in July 1942 by Bernard Maurer of the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors (now Nexteer Automotive ). Nevertheless, GM would not offer a telescoping wheel of their own until the debut of the optional telescopic wheel on the 1965 Corvette and Corvair , and the optional tilt/telescope wheel on 1965 Cadillacs . The GM column was released by twisting

2915-436: Was now no longer directly controlling the tiller, and the ship's wheel was simply turned in the desired direction (turn the wheel to port and the ship will go to port). Tiller Orders remained however; although many maritime nations had abandoned the convention by the end of the 19th century, Britain retained it until 1933 and the U.S. merchant marine until 1935. One of the reasons for this system continuing, apart from it being

2970-505: Was set high above the post with spokes that would flex, but the column was still rigid. In 1968, United States regulations ( FMVSS Standard No. 204) were implemented concerning the acceptable rearward movement of the steering wheel in case of a crash. Collapsible steering columns were required to meet that standard. Before this invention, the Citroën DS incorporated a curved and off-center single-spoke steering wheel designed to deflect

3025-461: Was understood by all seafarers. Only when new generations of sailors trained on ships with wheel-and-tiller steering came into the industry was the system replaced. The first automobiles were steered with a tiller, which angled the wheels to steer the vehicle. A steering wheel was first used in Europe in 1894 and became standard on French Panhard cars in 1898. Arthur Constantin Krebs replaced

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