Can you turn steering assist off?
Yes. In most modern cars you can disable steering assist or lane-keeping features, though the exact steps depend on the make and model.
Steering assist encompasses lane-keeping aids and, in some cases, steering inputs assisted by adaptive cruise control. Drivers may want to disable it for difficult driving conditions, personal preference, or to test control of the vehicle. Methods range from quick steering-wheel button presses to deeper changes in the vehicle’s settings menus. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific instructions and remember that some safety features may remain active or re-engage automatically in certain situations.
What steering assist does and why you might want to turn it off
Steering assist typically includes features such as Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Centering, and it may be tied to Adaptive Cruise Control. These systems monitor lane markings and vehicle position to provide steering input or corrective nudges. Some drivers choose to turn them off in heavy traffic, on winding roads, or when the road markings are unclear or poorly maintained. The degree of control you retain varies by system and model, so it’s important to know how your specific vehicle behaves.
General steps to disable steering assist
These are common, brand-agnostic actions that many vehicles support. If your model uses different labels or options, consult the manual or on-screen prompts.
- Locate the steering-wheel control or switch labeled with LKAS/LKA, Steer Assist, or similar terminology and press it to toggle the feature off.
- If the system is integrated with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), cancel or turn off the cruise control function or use the dedicated “Off”/“Cancel” button to disengage steering assist along with ACC.
- Use the vehicle’s driver-assistance or vehicle settings menu on the instrument cluster or infotainment screen to switch off Lane Keeping/Lane Centering or Steering Assist.
- If the car relies on hands-on-wheel detection, gently apply torque to the steering wheel or tap the wheel to indicate you’re ready to take full control, which typically disengages the system temporarily.
- Restarting the vehicle or repeating the deactivation steps may be required in some models, especially after a long drive or when switching drive modes.
After performing these steps, test-drive at a safe, quiet location to confirm the feature remains disengaged and that the car behaves as expected without automated steering input.
Brand-specific guidance
Tesla
In Tesla vehicles, steering assistance is part of Autosteer and is typically controlled through the vehicle’s touchscreen or the steering stalk. To turn Autosteer off, you can either press the brake pedal, briefly tug on the steering wheel, or use the Autosteer toggle in the center display to disable it. If Autopilot or Full Self-Driving is activated, disengaging Autosteer will immediately return control to the driver. Re-engagement requires meeting system conditions and manual input.
Ford (BlueCruise and Lane-Keeping Assist)
Ford models offering BlueCruise or Lane-Centering can usually be disabled by pressing the cruise control off/cancel button, or by toggling off Lane-Keeping/Lane-Centering in the vehicle’s settings. Some vehicles allow you to disable these features from the instrument cluster menu, and re-engagement may occur automatically when you resume driving with ACC or restart the vehicle.
Toyota/Lexus (Lane Tracing Assist, LKAS/LCA)
Toyota and Lexus vehicles with Lane Tracing Assist or LKAS typically let you switch the feature off via a dedicated button on the steering wheel or through the instrument cluster’s menu. In some models, pressing and holding the LKAS/LCA button or selecting “off” in the Driver Assist settings will disable it. The systems may require driver attention and hands-on-wheel warnings to remain active in certain conditions.
Hyundai/Kia (Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist)
Hyundai and Kia offer Highway Driving Assist or Lane Following Assist that can be turned off using the steering-wheel controls or by selecting off in the Driver Assistance section of the infotainment or instrument cluster. In some models, you may need to disable both the steering-assist and cruise-control components separately in the menu.
General Motors (Super Cruise, HDAC, or Lane Keep Assist)
GM vehicles with Super Cruise or Lane Keep Assist typically allow disengagement by tapping the brake, pressing the steering wheel’s cancel button, or using the cruise control off button. In some setups, you can disable the feature entirely through the Vehicle Settings under Driver Assistance, or by turning off Super Cruise entirely in the center display. Always keep hands on the wheel when the system is off, as required by the vehicle’s safety design.
Safety considerations
Disabling steering assist can restore full manual control but also removes a layer of safety designed to help keep you centered in the lane. Stay attentive, keep both hands on the wheel as required, and be prepared for the car to respond differently to steering input. Some systems may still provide warnings or limited assistance even when largely disabled, and certain functions may re-enable under specific conditions or drive modes. If you rely on these features for long drives, take time to understand how your particular model behaves when turned off.
What to do if you can’t turn it off
If your vehicle won’t disable steering assist through the usual controls—whether due to a software setting, a fault, or a safety warning—try these steps: verify you’re in a supported mode (some features auto-engage in certain configurations), check for system updates or recalls that affect driver-assistance functions, and consult the owner’s manual for model-specific disable procedures. If necessary, contact your dealership or the manufacturer’s customer support for guidance, especially if you suspect a sensor or calibration issue.
Summary
Most modern cars provide a way to turn off steering assist, though the exact method varies by brand and model. While disabling these systems can give you full manual control, it also removes a safety aid designed to help keep you centered in the lane. Always follow your vehicle’s manual, test in safe conditions after making changes, and stay attentive while driving.
Can you drive without steering assist?
Look, you can technically drive without power steering, but you really shouldn't. It's tough, it's tiring, and it's not safe if you need to react fast.
Is it safe to drive with steering assist reduced?
While the steering can still be turned without any problems, it's unlikely to lead to further issues. The concern is that it may eventually stop providing assistance altogether.
Does turning off lane assist void insurance?
Insurers have been known to refuse claims if items of standard equipment have been disabled in the past. However, in this case, it's likely they wouldn't do so. It's true that they don't like you turning off these safety systems, called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (abbreviated to ADAS).
How to deactivate smart steering?
To turn off smart steering in Mario Kart World or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, press the +/- button to open the in-game menu, then press the X button to bring up the options, and toggle smart steering to "Off". You can also change this setting on the character/vehicle selection screen before a race by pressing the +/- button to view the options and selecting X.
This video shows how to turn off smart steering in Mario Kart World: 28sGarrett LindsayYouTube · Oct 25, 2025
During a race or free roam
- Press the +/- button to pause the game.
- Press the X button to open the options menu.
- Toggle Smart Steering to "Off" and then press the A button to confirm.
Before a race (kart selection screen)
- Go to the kart and character selection screen.
- Press the +/- button to bring up the options menu.
- Press the X button to change the settings, and then toggle Smart Steering to "Off".
- Press A to confirm and exit the menu.
