Steering Wheel and Steering Column: Overview GMC Acadia I

Steering Wheel and Column Description and Operation

The steering wheel and column has 4 primary functions

1. Vehicle steering
2. Vehicle security
3. Driver convenience
4. Driver safety

Tilt/Telescoping Switch Operation

The tilt/telescoping steering column has a four-position switch which may be used to adjust the position of the steering wheel in or out which is telescope and up or down which is tilt. The position of the column may be changed as follows

1. Press the switch up to tilt the column up.
2. Press the switch down to tilt the column down.
3. Press the switch forward and the column moves toward the front of the vehicle.
4. Press the switch rearward and the column moves toward the rear of the vehicle.

The steering column module (SCM) receives inputs from the tilt/telescope switch to manually move the column to a desired position. Pressing the control switch sends an input to the SCM. The SCM receives an input and actuates the corresponding column motor.

Pressing the switch momentarily in either the UP or DOWN, or IN or OUT position, and releasing within 0.5 seconds, causes the column to advance slightly in the corresponding direction then stop. This feature allows fine control of the steering column position in each direction. If the switch is pressed and held for longer than 0.5 seconds, the column advances slightly in that direction, pauses, then resumes movement as long as the switch is held.

Tilt/Telescoping Description

The energy absorbing and locking steering column includes three important features in addition to the steering function.

1. The steering column is energy absorbing and is designed to compress in a front-end collision which will lessen the chance of injury to the driver.
2. The steering column has a tilt/telescoping control system that consists of an electronic control module capable of class 2 serial data communication, a steering column power assembly with positioning motors and sensors, and a steering column control switch.
3. The multi-function lever provides for the control of the headlamp high beams, and the windshield washer and wiper.