Is steering wheel position "centered"?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: USA
W205
Is steering wheel position "centered"?
I recently watched a UK review of a right-hand drive W205 and the reviewer mentioned something to effect of "of course in this right-hand drive model, the steering wheel is placed just a bit off-center." I don't remember the link to the video, but the reviewer meant that the steering wheel was not perfectly aligned left/right in relation to the seating position.
I'm wondering if this is the case for left-hand drive vehicles as well? I don't remember the steering wheel being off-center during test drives and it doesn't look that way in photos, but I didn't really think about it. I have a '08 Lexus IS250 (which I can't wait to trade in once my order arrives) and the steering wheel is placed slightly to the left of center from the seat. It took me a little while to notice this when I was trying to figure out why I could never get into a comfortable driving position for extended periods of time. I absolutely hate driving the car because of this.
I'm wondering if this is the case for left-hand drive vehicles as well? I don't remember the steering wheel being off-center during test drives and it doesn't look that way in photos, but I didn't really think about it. I have a '08 Lexus IS250 (which I can't wait to trade in once my order arrives) and the steering wheel is placed slightly to the left of center from the seat. It took me a little while to notice this when I was trying to figure out why I could never get into a comfortable driving position for extended periods of time. I absolutely hate driving the car because of this.
Last edited by BoboPolo12; Nov 17, 2014 at 11:33 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
I have a '08 Lexus IS250 (which I can't wait to trade in once my order arrives) and the steering wheel is placed slightly to the left of center from the seat. It took me a little while to notice this when I was trying to figure out why I could never get into a comfortable driving position for extended periods of time. I absolutely hate driving the car because of this.
I didn't sense that the Camy steering wheel was off center. It was just "wrong." I did read later that on that the Camy, the steering wheel was ANGLED one or two degrees (I don't remember) from being perpendicular to the driver. It is possible that it was both off center and angled (perhaps one to compensate for the other).
I don't think that your 2008 Lexus IS250 shared the same platform with that 2006 Toyota Camy. But the two driving positions do display similarly compromised design solutions to similar problems. Both driving positions expect the driver to adjust to the design.
What I like most about Mercedes is that its primary design goal is to take care of the driver in ALL respects. To Mercedes, this care has always included sometimes invisible virtues such as reduction of driver fatigue and saving the driver from even his or her own errors.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
URL for the Carbuyer video and my experience with the C300
Beginning in August, I repeatedly Googled the Internet and found about a couple dozen reviews of the 2015 C-class. None of the reviews based on actual driving mentioned any steering wheel offset.
Last month, I test drove three C300 Luxury models. I did not notice any steering wheel offset. I could have overlooked it; jclboston does say that it took him a little while to notice the steering wheel offset in his Lexus. But as I said earlier, I did immediately notice a different kind of offset in a 2006 Toyota Camry. I hope this reassures jclboston and others who are concerned about this possibility.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
2015 C300 Luxury
Mine is completely centered. I am very nit picky about everything in my cars and that is not one of the issues.
So far, the only quality issue I've found in my Mercedes is the fuel door being poorly aligned and the opening mechanism feeling "sticky", which I'll have the dealer handle during my 5000 mile maintenance.
So far, the only quality issue I've found in my Mercedes is the fuel door being poorly aligned and the opening mechanism feeling "sticky", which I'll have the dealer handle during my 5000 mile maintenance.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: UK
W205 C200 Sport Premium Plus. October 2018. 1497cc with 48 volt battery eq
Just checked my RHD yes it's about 1inch or so to the left centre of seat, not noticeable to me when driving at all, but then maybe my previous C class cars were the same.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: USA
W205
Mine is completely centered. I am very nit picky about everything in my cars and that is not one of the issues.
So far, the only quality issue I've found in my Mercedes is the fuel door being poorly aligned and the opening mechanism feeling "sticky", which I'll have the dealer handle during my 5000 mile maintenance.
So far, the only quality issue I've found in my Mercedes is the fuel door being poorly aligned and the opening mechanism feeling "sticky", which I'll have the dealer handle during my 5000 mile maintenance.
It's a little sad that the steering wheel on right-hand drive cars are off-center though.
I'm sure it's more of an issue for some people than others. If you drive primarily with two hands at 9 and 3 like I do, it'll probably be more noticeable than for those who drive primarily with one hand.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
bmw m3
It is hard for me to believe that a car can leave the factory with a steering wheel that is not "straight" or centered,
Especially a Mercedes because Mercedes utilizes special techniques and tools for the wheel alignment, i.e. Use of romess tool and a specific steering wheel leveling tool to lock the steering wheel at level position before wheel alignment.
However, it has been my experience that a "level" steering wheel does not always give a happy customer that actually agrees that the steering wheel is level. That is because some people try to align the bottom center of the steering wheel with the center of the seat.. Or the centerline of the steering wheel with some points on the dash.. This cannot always be the case in a "level" steering wheel.
A considerably miss aligned steering wheel would cause warning lights in the dials and de-activation of ESP and probably other safety features.
So, my quess is that the guy that stated that all right hand drive mercedes have an off center steering wheel, he is probably comparing the steering wheel with the seat or points on the dashboard.
Especially a Mercedes because Mercedes utilizes special techniques and tools for the wheel alignment, i.e. Use of romess tool and a specific steering wheel leveling tool to lock the steering wheel at level position before wheel alignment.
However, it has been my experience that a "level" steering wheel does not always give a happy customer that actually agrees that the steering wheel is level. That is because some people try to align the bottom center of the steering wheel with the center of the seat.. Or the centerline of the steering wheel with some points on the dash.. This cannot always be the case in a "level" steering wheel.
A considerably miss aligned steering wheel would cause warning lights in the dials and de-activation of ESP and probably other safety features.
So, my quess is that the guy that stated that all right hand drive mercedes have an off center steering wheel, he is probably comparing the steering wheel with the seat or points on the dashboard.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 85
From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
^^ yes that is exactly what he is doing. It is a matter of design and production more than it is a fault. Apparently if you sit centered into the seat, the steering wheel is a bit off to the left
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Zeewolde (Europe)
S213 220D
Samehere with my left hand drive W205: it is a bit to the left (or the seat is to the right...)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: USA
W205
Mine is completely centered. I am very nit picky about everything in my cars and that is not one of the issues.
So far, the only quality issue I've found in my Mercedes is the fuel door being poorly aligned and the opening mechanism feeling "sticky", which I'll have the dealer handle during my 5000 mile maintenance.
So far, the only quality issue I've found in my Mercedes is the fuel door being poorly aligned and the opening mechanism feeling "sticky", which I'll have the dealer handle during my 5000 mile maintenance.
Can anyone here break the tie?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Manchester
CLS 350 CDI W219
I can confirm that on our CLS 350 CDi UK right hand side model, the steering wheel is off set to the Left in relation to the driver seating position. I appear as this is the manufacturer default design for some reason.
