When I was driving our Pontiac G8 home last night and in to work this morning, I could swear that something weird was going on with the steering wheel. It certainly felt as if my right hand was closer to me than my left. Even looking at the wheel seemed to back this up. I've noticed this before in other cars (a Z4, a Cobalt SS), but it was the first time I noticed it in our G8, although I haven't driven it much.
To check for sure, I got out of the car and eye-balled the wheel from the side. As the picture shows, it looks like the wheel is angled slightly to port. But I knew that wasn't exactly proof since I could take a picture and make any steering wheel look like that. So I went for the tape measure. I taped the tip of it on the bottom edge of the spoke where the silver bit meats the leather bit, then pulled the tape to a spot on the metal driver seat head rest support. I then repeated on the opposite side, making sure I placed everything in equal spots. I discovered that the wheel's right side was about 0.5 inches closer to the seat than the left side. I measured again to double check and I confirmed the distance. I even had a witness to the proceedings.
So I'm not crazy and my arms are not different lengths. However, it's still pretty annoying.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 11,638 miles
texases says:
09:32 AM, 10/29/08
That could either be annoying (for someone who drives a dozen different cars a week), or something you get used to. I seem to remember various cars over the years suffered from that (Lincoln Mk 8??)
lukemc01 says:
09:46 AM, 10/29/08
I don't think it would notice it unless someone told me. Then it would really bother me...
dougtheeng says:
09:49 AM, 10/29/08
I definitely think I would notice half an inch. I wonder if its always been like this? The G8s I have sat in to date did not appear to have this issue.
carlisimo says:
10:06 AM, 10/29/08
This isn't unheard of in cars originally designed with the steering wheel on the other side. The first-generation CR-V had this issue too... most people don't notice until someone tells them, and then they can't stop feeling annoyed with it for the rest of their lives.
joefrompa says:
11:32 AM, 10/29/08
I would probably like it since it would let my right-arm (my primary steering arm when cruising) stay more bent and therefore more relaxed :)
But what a random thing to catch. Good job measuring it...I would've been pissed if you had just shown the photo and assumed that was it.
Jriz - Your arms may still be different lengths....this doesn't exclude that. Better measure them too.
Joe
vacagrande says:
12:32 PM, 10/29/08
I'd never notice it, and once someone pointed it out to me it would drive me crazy enough to possibly sell the car. Seriously.
stovt001 says:
12:58 PM, 10/29/08
Ditto to Joe.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
01:54 PM, 10/29/08
Sounds like a holdover from the old Chevette, which was far worse in tilting steering wheel wrt driver. Had one on Rental, and it proved the most inept, badly designed car I've ever driven (Kia's Ford Aspire was second).
festiboi1 says:
10:50 PM, 10/29/08
Awwww.....no hating on the Aspire. I miss my old one!
brn says:
05:38 AM, 10/30/08
I'm resisting the temptation to check my car. Been driving it for 8.5 years and haven't noticed any problem. If it turns out to be the off, I'm going to go nuts (and blame JRiz).
carswapper says:
01:09 PM, 11/13/08
"edge of the spoke where the silver bit meats the leather bit"
Where is your editor????