Startup procedure for steer-by-wire systems with spring-to-center steering wheels

A steering control system for a vehicle comprising:

• a steering motor operatively coupled to a steering motor position sensor to determine a steering motor position;
• a steering wheel operatively coupled to a steering wheel torque sensor to determine a commanded steering motor position;
• and
• at least one processing unit configured to:
• provide an indication of the steering motor position and the commanded steering motor position to a display;
• on startup, compare the steering motor position and the commanded steering motor position;
• based on a determination that the steering motor position and the commanded steering motor position are different, prevent motion of the vehicle, and generate a request to synchronize the commanded steering motor position and the steering motor position;
• and
• based on an input, synchronize the commanded steering motor position and the steering motor position and enable motion of the vehicle.

A method for an electronic steering system comprising:

• determining a wheel angle of a road wheel;
• determining a commanded wheel angle of a steering wheel using a torque sensor;
• generating a notification of the wheel angle and the commanded wheel angle to a display;
• and
• comparing the wheel angle and the commanded wheel angle, wherein if the wheel angle and the commanded wheel angle are different, preventing motion of a vehicle.