Steering wheel spinner

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Paul Gregory, Aug 23, 2025 at 12:55 AM.

  1. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I have heard that they are technically illegal, but I feel like taking my chances. If I cop tells me to remove it, I will, but I doubt it will ever be an issue. I have used them on off-road machinery and they are very convenient.

    It's a knob that mounts on your steering wheel, and makes turns much easier. I like mine already. It's very relaxing having a hand on the knob. I'll keep using it for as long as I can. It seems to be best at the 4:30 o'clock position.

    I think I know why they were made illegal many years ago. In the days of manual (not power) steering, if your front wheels hit a rut, it could make the steering wheel spin very fast, and someone could possibly break a wrist, or at least get a painful bruise. But such a scenario is almost never going to happen these days, with nearly every vehicle having power steering. The law should have been repealed long ago, or at least forgotten.

    Spinner.jpg

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    #1 Paul Gregory, Aug 23, 2025 at 12:55 AM
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2025 at 1:11 AM
  2. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    According to my research, there are no specific laws in Canada forbidding steering wheel spinners, but having one could result in a dangerous driving charge. I'm still keeping mine.
     
  3. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Legal in all 50 states. Sometimes even required for handicapped operation. Washington state says you can't use one if it could snag on your clothing, so either install it well or don't wear baggy sleeves if you live/travel there.
     
  4. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    Snagging your clothing? Seriously?
     
  5. Winston Smith

    Winston Smith Active Member

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    I've seen spinners put to two legitimate uses. First would be on tractors, tow motors and other machines that have many turns of the wheel from lock to lock. If you are on a tractor and executing a 180 degree turn repetitively with five rotations of the wheel at each turn, it's useful. The other is in adapting a vehicle to a crippled driver. If you've not two hands available to steer, it's necessary. I've a crippled family member and have installed several of these.

    They don't increase the injury mitigation characteristics of a car steering wheel. Unless a person is crippled in a fashion that requires other hand controls to operate throttle and brake, it's a utility free gimmick in a modern passenger car.

    A lot of people should be less relaxed while driving.
     
  6. Blackat

    Blackat Active Member

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    Lol, don't forget the curb feelers...
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Even if it was illegal, I think you're safe. Around this kinda nonsense drives me spare:

    upload_2025-8-23_9-12-5.png

    They're so prevalent, cops do squat.

    Extra fun, when the brake and signal lights are obscured as well.
     
  8. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I don't care; I'm partial to a spinner knob.
    I'll have one until I'm forced to remove it.
     
  9. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    It's horsepucky. Everyone seems so obsessed with safety, I doubt they'd be happy in a padded room.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  11. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I find that description ridiculous.
    No one ever committed suicide with a spinner knob.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i guess the theory was, if you used one, you must be intent on suicide
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    You may be projecting. ;)
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wouldn't be happy in a padded room