My car seems to be missing this feature.

Do these cars not come with a steering wheel lock when the ignition is off?

 

I was curious about that. Mine doesn't lock either, but it's impossible (or I'm a 300 lb weakling) for me to turn the wheel with the ignition off and the key removed It just never bothered me before.

 

I think it locks when the steering wheel is turned 180 deg. (up side down) I beleve it only locks in this one position.

 

the steering wheel locks if you crank it all the way in one direction. i dont think you can move it when the engine is not running because of the electronic power steering.

 

The steering can still move without the car running (just not good for tires to dry steer
), but most cars if you move just a little bit it will lock.

I first noticed this when I was stuck in traffic in the middle of no where because of an accident. We were facing down a hill so instead of starting my ignition on and off when we moved 5 feet at a time. I just coasted down the hill, then I realized I shouldn't even be able to cause like my other cars my wheel should have locked up when I turned my wheel when we came to a bend.

 

No, the HHR (and most newer GM cars) don't do this.... My truck and Lumina both do it, but my HHR does not, and neither does my mom's G6 nor her 2006 Impala that she used to have.

 

My 2006 doesn't lock either. It has only locked 4 times in 26,000 miles. I'll have to try turning the wheel 360* see if that works ( I doubt it ).

 

Well I'll be a dirty bird.
I just tried spinning the steering wheel around and what do you know, it locks at the 3 o'clock position only ( 1/4 turn to the right )

Live and learn. Thank You

 

yea mine locks at about the 3 position too.

 

GM has done this for a few years.

I think it was ment to be a safety feature that your wheel would lock if some one pulled your key with only a small turn of the wheel it will let you get off the road for the most part. My 04 GP does it too.