So I'm readin' the awesome Foxboro posts, (That roxors! ) and I saw something in there about the steering wheel being an '05 only thing, that in 06 is can't be used or something...

Wha? :scratch: What the heck is that about? I saw it was about the airbag, and something about the sides, but it wasn't really that clear about what the changes were. So I figured I'd search the site and look at the FAQ and all that...

:bang: I tried. Honestly I did. I tried "air bag" and "airbag" and "steering wheel" and combinations of those with 2006 and 2007. I couldn't find the actual info listed in the forums about the different wheel.

I did a google search too. Nuttin'

So could someone please spell it out for me, or direct me to the site(s) that has the info?

Thanks.





Honestly, I DID try...

 

New safety regulations that the 05 wheel won't pass I think. I havn't really paid much attention to the topic because it doesn't bother me that much. Makes you wonder why Ford didn't design it right to begin with?

 

They designed it fine. In 06, there is a new federal law that drivers side airbags have to deploy differently. There has to be a space for it to deploy into instead of straight out from the column. Take a look at passenger air bag sizes to get an idea of how big the space needs to be. Pretty much means that all air bags will have to be 2 spoke from 06 on.

 

So what blackrider is saying is why not start with the '05 instead of having to change after one year? MAybe they did and the '05 complies.

 

Exactly, should be interesting to see how the wheel changes after a year.

 

There was an interview on Autoweek.com with a Ford engineer or designer. In the interview he made a comment about the 05 Stang steering wheel not meeting the 06 fed regulations. That's how the whole deal got started.

I haven't seen the fed regulation, so we may be making some bad assumptions. Some of the Fed regulations are written to say that ANY 06 MY vehicle sold must met the new reg. Others are written to say that new 06 MY cars have to meed the regulation and existing vehicles already in production have a grace period or may not need to comply at all.

 

I have read the regulation. I'm actually not sure if its 06 or 07 though. But I do know its the same regulation that requires side air bags.

The reason why they didn't do it with the 05 is simple: it wasn't required yet. They made it look the way they wanted it with the current laws.

 

From an engineering standpoint, that seems wasteful. Why design and build something for only one year when you know it will have to be changed?

 

Yeah really. I'm pretty choked about it too. I really like the 05's steering wheel design. Since I know I can't get an 05 and will have to wait until 08 or 09, I will end up with the new steering wheel and not the one I like so much.

 

maybe they did it even tho they knew b/c they thought it might eventually add more collectible value to the car? just a thought.

 

car makers almost always hold out to the last minute to change anything that is mandated by the govt. wouldnt you? no one likes being told what to do..

 

Its not wasteful ... its what they designed for the concept.

 

If they will have to design a new wheel they have to spend more money, regardless of how insignificant the amount is to Ford.

 

actually i thought the wheel and car were designed before the concept. The concept was supposedly built after

I wish if i had my drother..that the concept bullitt wheel was on the car instead. Anyone have a good shot of it?

I know if I was ford I would not in anyway shape or form build a wheel that was only to be used for one year. That makes no economic sence. Now they have to redesign and retool or the suplier does for the new wheel. This costs ALOT of money.

If Ford penny pinches over tiny things like types of bolts to save a couple cents a car then they sure as heck would say a boat load of development cost on a new wheel. Not only that but the PR of saying that they already have an airbag that meets fed law would be a boon.

Just my thoughts.

EDIT....looks like brad had one

 

That wheel =

 

That would look even better on the '05

 

Dude, where do I get THAT wheel? That is teh Aw350m3!!!11!111!1!

 

personally, the shape or look of the steering wheel has never gotten my attention. i couldn't even tell you what the wheel looks like in my car. when i look at an interior, i see the gauges, leather, console, etc...but i never even notice the wheel.

i had to go look up a picture of the interior of the 2005 to see what it even looks like

my $0.02

 

hm i hope they use that wheel in 2006 cuz i like that even better than the current one

 

i geuss it depends on how you drive a car...in every car i have owned, l like to work the wheel from the 5 and 7 o'clock positions...the three spoke design on a steering wheel works great for me. IF a car had a four spoke design, that would be a major drawback. i must say that the 05 mustang wheel is one of the nicest production steering wheels i have seen on the current batch of cars...jackg 90 seville 94k