A system and a method for determining an absolute rotational position of the vehicle handwheel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes monitoring an amount of torque applied to the vehicle handwheel. The method further includes monitoring a rotational speed of the vehicle handwheel. The method further includes setting an absolute position value indicating the absolute position of the vehicle handwheel equal to a predetermined steering travel limit of the vehicle handwheel when both the amount of torque applied to the vehicle handwheel is greater than or equal to a threshold torque level, and the rotational speed of the vehicle handwheel is less than or equal to a threshold rotational speed. The method further includes storing the absolute rotational position value in a memory device.
