The psychological study of cars is still relatively new compared to more established fields like psychology and sociology.

It has already produced some fascinating findings regarding how people experience and perceive their vehicles. One such finding relates to the ways that people are aroused by the feeling of driving and handling a car. This can be an intensely personal matter, but there are commonalities among those who report a strong sexual response to automobiles.

Many drivers feel a deep connection between themselves and their vehicle, which can evoke feelings of possessiveness and domination. Some describe the car as an extension of their own body, like clothing, jewelry, or other accessories. Driving becomes a sensual activity in its own right, full of pleasurable sensations and experiences.

Steering wheel rake and reach affects how the driver feels when controlling the vehicle, creating eroticized proprioception. The tactile sensation of gripping the steering wheel and turning it from one direction to another can become a source of sexual excitement for many drivers. Other features like seat belts, headlights, and turn signals also have potential erotic connotations.

Some people may have fetishes involving cars or specific aspects of them, such as the smell or sound of rubber tires against pavement. These fetishes can be complex and deeply embedded within the individual's psyche, reflecting unconscious desires and fantasies. They may involve role-playing scenarios where the driver assumes the identity of a powerful figure, such as a racecar driver or police officer, or incorporate elements of bondage or dominance and submission.

The act of driving itself can create confusion and arousal due to the simultaneous attention required to focus on the road while maintaining physical control over the vehicle. This cognitive dissonance leads to heightened emotions, including anxiety and excitement, that may manifest in sexual ways. Many drivers report feeling more passionate and alive behind the wheel than they do in other situations, experiencing a kind of euphoria that borders on ecstasy.

Psychology provides valuable insights into the way people experience their vehicles, including their erotic response to automobiles. The study of this field is still in its infancy but promises to yield important discoveries about human behavior and desire.