Is there a way to make the steering wheel easier to turn? My daughter has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It affects the connective tissue of the ligaments and makes the joint dislocate very, very easily. Her wrists are sort of permanently subluxed so having to crank the wheel with any effort is difficult for her. Is there any modification the dealer can make to the steering to make it easier? Thanks. Cathy
I'm not sure about a sensitivity adjustment, but I do know that reducing friction helps. To do that, just pump the tires up to their maximum. 44 PSI (when measured cold, meaning at least 2 hours after driving) is what I'd recommend for the standard tires, in front. In back, us 42 PSI. And the easiest way to maintain the tire pressure is to use a battery-operated pump. They start at about $29.
I'd suggest one of those little knobs that spins that you can attach to the steering wheel to change the pivot/hold point. The wheel isn't all that difficult to turn in any case.
They are illegal in some states. But for medical reasons she probably could get a perscription for it or something like it.
if your in a large metro area try one of the local forklift truck dealers most have them in stock or can order on for you.
Cathy, Another thought is to ask your daughter's physician to refer you to an Occupational Therapist. They should be able to fit her with an orthotic brace well suited for tasks like driving. Even something as simple as a bowling brace might work, but a properly fitted orthotic device would be better and probably be well suited for other purposes. There's no reason something like ED should prevent almost any normal activity.
Cathy K, I've noticed this is your second disability related question. Were you aware Toyota has a special program to assist you? They even offer up to $1000 to help pay for modifications! I hear they will coordinate you with a local customization shop to address your daughter's issues, and can do so with professional results. See here: http://www.toyota.com/html/mobility/ Nate
Evan could we put this address in the data base under a heading for "person's with disabilities" or some such heading to make the info available to all that need it?
Great Idea...I'm sure Danny will be reading this. We need to put it in a links section or something. Knowledge Base maybe.
Thanks for all the information. My daughter's Ehlers-Danlos has been much more severe than most and developed very rapid over the last 6 months. Bracing does help and we have quite an assortment but minimizing movement and force against the joints is the real key. The Prius has been wonderful for us as it has a very smooth ride, and it is easy to transfer into and out of from a wheelchair. It also holds a folding wheelchair in the back quite easily. The other big advantage is the air conditioner. She tends to get sick and pass out if she is exposed to heat, so at doctor appointments or shopping trips I can leave the AC on so that the car is cool when we come back to it.
get a new steering rack with a smaller ratio than the prius's. smaller ratio = tires turn more with same amount of steering wheel pushed
Just an update. We got a steering wheel spinner through Ebay. It has helped out, especially for the those tight turns in parking lots, etc. Thanks for the help everyone.
can you specifiy what you purchased? a steering rack as i suggested might actually make it harder to steer since the sensitive electric steering may make it waver more easily...i'd be nice to get a smaller ratio without that happening. so if you could elaborate, that would be helpful to me ^_^
Toyota is wonderfully responsive to such situations. As I understand it, this is an electric (mostly "fly by wire") system with mechanical resistance that is 100% artificial. It therefore can be reduced or even removed. I'd bet that someone at Toyota can get this done...
I agree with Eisenson, Toyota may be able to help. I don't think the dealer themselves could do anything, but a specially programmed PS module may be made under their mobility program that makes the steering more sensitive, or rather 'responsive' As for being 100% artificial, not quite. There is a direct connection between the the steering wheel and the steering rack (you can turn the wheel with power off and a dead battery), but there is a torqe sensor in the column that detects how much force you are putting on the steering wheel, and operates an electric motor that is also on the column to help you. Probably more accurately, the electronics moves the motor to negate the excess torque you apply. They could make it truely near zero effort, as the car steers itself for parkinng with the parking assist in Japan. Of course, as I said before, it does depend on the physical limits of sensitivity provided by the tourqe sensor in the column. But if a spinner is adequate, that is the lowest cost solution. If it is not adequate, see if Toyota HQ can help.
I recently had left shoulder surgery and installed a knob on the right side of the steering wheel at about four o'clock. Purchased at a Pep Boy Store for $10. Acquired a prescription from my surgeon. Keep it it my glovebox if asked by police. Works fine.
