Method and apparatus for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system

An apparatus for determining the center position of a steering system installed in a vehicle uses a distance based algorithm to correct the center position. The actual steering position is sampled periodically, based upon the distance travelled by the vehicle, and corrections are made according to the difference between the sampled positions and a previously assumed steering center. The apparatus comprises a steering sensor means (12) for defining a movable center region of operation of the steering system and for detecting the operational position of the steering system with respect to the center position, distance sensor means (22) for tracking the distance travelled by the vehicle and processor means (14) operatively connected with said sensor means (12,22) for adjusting the position of said center region of operation.