steering wheel too low!

[Len-Dogg]

I am a pretty skinny guy, but even so my steering wheel is practically touching my legs when I turn the wheel. I have tilt, and I have it all the way up. Seems like it should go up more than that! Is that normal, and is there a way to make the wheel go up further than it goes up now? I'm pretty sure that it's not broke, it just is lower than I would like.
Thanks,<p>Jason

[jpwmx3]

Is the plastic cowling around the steering column inline (horizontal) with the bottom of the plastic part of the dash?. If not it can go higher. It should not hit your legs or be near them. Are you sure you know how to raise the steering wheel.?

[Len-Dogg]

Ya, I think I am just too tall for this car. LOL Just to make sure I am listing three pictures I took. You can see the position of my steering wheel and then where my legs come up to when my foot is sitting on the gas pedal (but not depresed). Let me know what you think. I know I could save a small amount of space by taking off my steering wheel cover, but it's real tight either way.<p>http://www.msu.edu/~leonar40/Temp/steering wheel.jpg
http://www.msu.edu/~leonar40/Temp/steering wheel2.jpg
http://www.msu.edu/~leonar40/Temp/steering wheel3.jpg

[Len-Dogg]

Dang this thing didn't link that right because it was on a seperate line. You will have to copy the address and paste it sorry about that.

[laboiler]

Maybe your seat is too close to the dash. Try moving it back and adjust the back up for your arm length. Sounds stupid, but I can't think of anything else that would cause it if the wheel tilts.

[Len-Dogg]

Thanks for the advice. I've always had my seat all the way back with the seat tilted way back as well. Otherwise I probably couldn't even get into my car. I am a pretty tall guy. LOL Maybe I'll get a smaller diameter steering wheel? I've seen some cool ones, but it seems like a pain since you have to get special tools, an adapter, and plus I have the airbag steering wheel.

[mattster]

how tall are you?

[Len-Dogg]

I'm 6'2" with my shoes on. That isn't super tall, not like an NBA player or anything, but I think it's a little taller than the Mazda people had in mind when making this car.

[HRO]

I'm the same height, and I always have had my wheel as low as it goes, with my seat about 3/4 back, and I have no problems, when I drive tho, my legs aren't touching at the knee, I have one leg on either side of the wheel, my right knee resting against the center console. I've never had any problems, and always have been very comfortable driving my mx.

[Len-Dogg]

Maybe that's the difference, I don't like having my legs all bowed out like that, I was trying to keep them straight inline with the pedals.

[Seanthepizzadude65065]

I dont have anyproblems driving mine, im 6' 0" and i dont even have the tilt wheel the strangest thing though is, my friend who i let drive every now and then is about 4-5" shorter than me and for some reason has problems, and he only wheighs about 20lbs more than me (im 120) still it might be just the way ppl sit in thier cars that makes the differance

[autozam]

6'2, you should fit in there nice!! sounds like some wires or sumting is holding the steering wheel from goin up?? have you removed the plastic pieces around the ignition?? look there, look for sumtin snagging....it does go up, the wheel almost hits the ceiling when its up all the way....LOL!!!! hope this helps....

[Len-Dogg]

Wow really, I looked down the steering column shaft, and it looks like there are two big metal braces that stop the wheel from going up any further. I'm pretty sure that they are supposed to be there. They are on the top, one on each side of the steer wheel column.