To unlock your Honda Civic steering wheel, start by firmly holding the steering wheel in the direction that engages the lock while turning the key. If that doesn’t work, try wiggling the steering wheel back and forth while trying to work the key toward the on position.

Honda Civics are well-designed machines and some of the most reliable cars on the road. Part of that thoughtful design is adding a locking mechanism to the steering wheel to help make your vehicle more difficult to steal. However, if you struggle to start your car because of a locked steering wheel, you’re probably cursing at the feature rather than appreciating the engineering.

To help you disengage that steering wheel and get you back on the road,

Jerry

, the

trustworthy insurance broker app

, has put together the tricks you need to know. We will show you how to lock and unlock your steering wheel, some alternate causes if your steering wheel won’t disengage, then go over ways you can save money on your

Honda Civic car insurance rates

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How to unlock your Honda Civic steering wheel

First things first. If you’re currently in your parked car you are probably just interested in one thing: how to get your steering wheel unlocked. There are two things to try.

First, try firmly pulling the steering wheel in the direction it was turned when it locked, and simultaneously try to turn the key in the ignition. It can help to wiggle the key around a bit, but be mindful of the amount of force used on the key–you don’t want the key to snap off in your hand. Try both sides if you don’t know which direction to hold your wheel.

If that doesn't work, try moving your wheel from side to side while turning the key. Sometimes moving the steering wheel back and forth works better than just holding it in place. Again, you can be pretty forceful with the steering wheel but be mindful of how much you push the key.

If you can’t manage to disengage the steering wheel lock, you might be dealing with a more serious mechanical failure, in which case you might need to call for backup.

MORE:

Brakes, steering, and suspension inspection cost

How to engage your steering wheel lock

Honda Civics are designed with a steering wheel locking mechanism that works as an anti-theft measure. However, this lock can be accidentally engaged if you turn your steering wheel too far while parking or if your steering wheel turns when the key is out of the ignition.

While the steering wheel lock can be annoying when you aren’t expecting it, you can activate it intentionally if you wish to add a layer of difficulty for anyone trying to steal your car.

To activate the steering wheel lock, turn your car off, remove the key from the ignition, and turn the steering wheel to one side until you hear the lock engage.

Other reasons your Honda Civic steering wheel lock might engage

The mechanisms mentioned above for engaging a steering wheel lock are the most common culprits of a locked steering wheel, but not the only potential cause. You could also have a mechanical issue like a bad ignition lock cylinder, frozen tumblers, power steering system failure, or more.

If your steering wheel locks while parked

One likely issue is an ignition failure. The steering wheel lock works with the ignition system so that it can be coed up because of a faulty ignition cylinder or ignition switch.

If your steering wheel locks while driving

Thankfully, this is a super rare occurrence, but it can happen. If your Honda Civic’s steering wheel locks while driving, this is most commonly a sign of a significant malfunction of the steering column, power steering system, steering rack, or suspension.

If this does happen to you, don’t panic and do your best to get your car out of traffic. Even a locked steering wheel should have a little give to it. Use whatever motion you have to pull your car off the road and call for help once you are safely out of traffic. Then get your Civic into a repair shop as soon as possible.

If your steering wheel is usable but stiff

It is possible that your steering wheel gradually or suddenly becomes hard to turn but still maintains a range of motion. You might experience this when turning the wheel in one direction or both.

An issue with the power steering system could be a leak or contamination of the power steering fluid, a faulty power steering pump, or another malfunction. Start by checking your fluid, but to accurately identify the cause, you will likely have to take your Civic to a mechanic or dealership.

MORE:

What you should know about the Honda Civic battery draining problem

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How to save on Honda insurance

After you’ve sorted out your Honda Civic’s locked steering wheel is as good a time to find savings on your

car insurance

. While

Honda car insurance costs

tend to be cheaper than most other vehicles, it that doesn’t mean you can’t save on your premiums.

The best way to save on insurance is to compare as many policies as possible so you can find the cheapest one available, and

Jerry

makes that process easier than ever. Jerry is America’s

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All you have to do is fill out the sign-up sheet, and you will be presented with a custom list of quotes in less than a minute. The process is quick, easy, and effective. So effective that users save an average of over $800 per year on their car insurance when they switch with Jerry.