Will a Custom Steering Wheel Affect My Airbag?

It is the first question almost everyone asks before ordering a custom steering wheel, and it is the right one to ask. The short answer: a properly built and installed Monaco wheel keeps your factory airbag. Your OEM airbag module and steering wheel buttons move from your old wheel to your new one, so the airbag works the way it did when the car left the factory.

Here is how that works, what we check before we build, and what to keep in mind when you install it.

Your factory airbag moves over to the new wheel

A custom carbon fiber steering wheel replaces the rim, grips and trim around the airbag, not the airbag itself. We build each wheel around the mounting points of your car's original wheel, so the OEM airbag module, the clock spring connection and your factory buttons (audio, cruise control, voice, paddle shifters) bolt onto the new wheel the same way they came off the old one.

That is very different from the universal aftermarket wheels sold for race cars, which delete the airbag and the button controls entirely. We do not build those for street cars.

Why we ask for a photo of your current wheel

The same model can use more than one steering wheel. A BMW 3 Series, for example, can have a standard wheel, a sport wheel or an M Sport wheel depending on trim and year, and each one has different airbag mounts and button plugs. Listings by year, make and model get close, but they are a guide, not a guarantee.

So before anything is built, we confirm the exact wheel in your car with a photo of your current wheel, front and back. That is how we make sure the new wheel matches your airbag and your button connectors. If we cannot confirm a fit, we contact you to adjust the order or refund it. It is the single most important step in the process, and we never skip it.

Installing it safely

Swapping a steering wheel means removing and reinstalling an airbag, so treat it with care:

• Use a qualified installer if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. Any shop that does interior or electrical work can handle it.
• Disconnect the battery first and wait the amount of time your vehicle's service manual specifies before unplugging the airbag. Airbag systems store energy for a short time after the battery is disconnected.
• Handle the airbag module face up, never lay it face down and never probe its connectors.
• Torque the steering wheel nut to your car's spec and reconnect every plug, including the clock spring and button harnesses.
• Check the dash after install. The airbag warning light should come on at start-up and then go out. If it stays on, have the system checked before driving.

What about the airbag cover?

By default, your factory airbag cover goes back on as it is. If you want the center of the wheel to match your build, you can add a custom airbag cover in the builder, wrapped to match your grips and stitching. The airbag inside is still your original one.

Paddle shifters and LED displays

Factory paddle shifters move over just like the buttons do. You can also choose carbon fiber paddles or larger magnetic paddles in the builder, or add an LED shift light or RPM display to the top of the rim on supported wheel shapes. If an option will not work with your wheel shape, the builder tells you before you order.

The bottom line

A custom wheel does not mean giving up your airbag. We build around your factory airbag and controls, confirm your exact wheel before we start, and every wheel is covered by our 1-year workmanship warranty. Want to see what is possible for your car? Find your car on the homepage, browse 1,800+ customer builds, or start your own build. Still unsure about fitment? Send us a photo of your wheel and we will tell you exactly what fits.