Volante vs. timón
The Spanish words 'volante' and 'timón', both mean 'steering wheel'. The difference between them lies in the context in which they are used as well as regional preferences.
Volante
'Volante' literally means 'flying' or 'steering', and it is commonly used to refer to the steering wheel of a car.
El volante de mi coche es muy suave.
(The steering wheel of my car is very smooth.)
Es importante mantener ambas manos en el volante cuando conduces.
(It's important to keep both hands on the steering wheel when you drive.)
Timón
'Timón' is traditionally a nautical term, used to refer to a ship's helm or steering mechanism, but it can also be used for any other vehicle.
El capitán siempre controla el timón del barco.
(The captain always controls the ship's helm.)
Es peligroso si no puedes manejar correctamente el timón de tu vehículo.
(It's dangerous if you can't properly handle your vehicle's steering wheel.)
Summary
'Volante' and 'timón' both refer to 'steering wheel', however, their usage depends on context and regional preferences. 'Volante' is generally used for cars and offers a sense of lightness or agility in steering. On the other hand, 'timon' is generally associated with nautical usage like ships but can also be used for other vehicle types.