Steering Wheel Materials
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Connecticut
Steering Wheel Materials
I've owned a LOT of "new" vehicles over the last 20 years, and have bought my share of "used" vehicles as well (many years ago).
Recently, when visiting my Ford Dealership, to see the F-150's they had "used" (something I haven't done in a lot of years, because I typically buy "new" these days), I noted that on at least three of the F-150's I sat in and drove, the steering wheel itself had really bad wear.
It was as if someone (wearing cream perhaps) had been doing a repetitive "death grip" of the steering wheel (I should post a picture here, but I haven't taken any), in the same spot, every time they drove the vehicle.
Made me wonder if Ford shouldn't consider changing the material makeup (composite) of the steering wheel itself, to avoid this kind of wear. Really ugly to look at, (frankly).
I've seen "wear spots" on steering wheels before, but THIS was like "gullies" in strategic locations on the wheel. Really obnoxious and obvious wear sections that created a concave surface where there was not supposed to be any.
-Soupy1957
Recently, when visiting my Ford Dealership, to see the F-150's they had "used" (something I haven't done in a lot of years, because I typically buy "new" these days), I noted that on at least three of the F-150's I sat in and drove, the steering wheel itself had really bad wear.
It was as if someone (wearing cream perhaps) had been doing a repetitive "death grip" of the steering wheel (I should post a picture here, but I haven't taken any), in the same spot, every time they drove the vehicle.
Made me wonder if Ford shouldn't consider changing the material makeup (composite) of the steering wheel itself, to avoid this kind of wear. Really ugly to look at, (frankly).
I've seen "wear spots" on steering wheels before, but THIS was like "gullies" in strategic locations on the wheel. Really obnoxious and obvious wear sections that created a concave surface where there was not supposed to be any.
-Soupy1957
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Steering Wheel scaling
I have an F250 SD and the steering wheel has lost almost 90% of the "vinyl" coating, leaving the foam exposed. I have been told it is from previous owners hand lotion that reacted with the steering wheel coating. Sadly, I have ran out of options looking for a used one, am going to pull it and have it leather wrapped.
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From: Connecticut
"Big Miss"...............I agree that Ford (and perhaps other manufacturers; although I have to say that I have NOT seen this kind of exaggerated wear on steering wheels in any other brand out there) made a bad choice of material composite, just to bring a "comfort" factor into play.
I too went to an auto parts store and bought a "wrap" for the steering wheel.
If money was no object, I would have had the steering wheel replaced. I wonder what it would cost to do that at my Ford dealership? Anyone know? (Obviously the air bag and the electronic button wirings come into play; which are elements "I" personally don't want to mess with. If it was just 4 bolts, I'd remove it myself and put on a really sporty looking steering wheel!!)
-Soupy1957
I too went to an auto parts store and bought a "wrap" for the steering wheel.
If money was no object, I would have had the steering wheel replaced. I wonder what it would cost to do that at my Ford dealership? Anyone know? (Obviously the air bag and the electronic button wirings come into play; which are elements "I" personally don't want to mess with. If it was just 4 bolts, I'd remove it myself and put on a really sporty looking steering wheel!!)
-Soupy1957
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Cecil County, Maryland
My truck shows a break down on the wheel at 12 o'clock as that is where I hold. Since I'm always getting those cracks in the tips of my fingers, I use Corn Huskers lotion most of the time. I guess when it starts to get real bad I will cover the wheel. I noticed that Wendy's truck has a leather wrapped wheel so this break down should not happen. Chris
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From: Connecticut
Steering Wheel wear
As much as I feel sorry for me, and for others here who have experienced the same wear on their steering wheels...........I'm glad I'm not alone........if you know what I mean.
-Soupy1957
-Soupy1957
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From: Ontario, OH
unfortunately my steering wheel cover, and all others i have looked at/tried, do not fit. i had to cut the cover at the 6o'clock position so it would fit. It, and all others, seems to be about 2-3 inches too small to fit.
Anyone have a better suggestion to a brand that fits and looks nice. I'd even consider a wrap as well.
Anyone have a better suggestion to a brand that fits and looks nice. I'd even consider a wrap as well.
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From: Sioux Falls Area
my 2010 at work has worn a 6-dollar vinyl wrap since day one. not nice looking, but better than eroding the steering wheel. and if it craps out, 6 bucks replaces it 
my 99 ford at work had some wear on the steering wheel when i got it at 77k miles. that one wore the same 5dollar wrap until 120k when i got my 2010.
some of the chebbies at work had some serious problems too, so i don't think any brand is immune.
my exploder is leather wrapped, but still shows some visible wear. might should hit it with some leather dye to touch it up here some day, now that i think about it.
i'd just put a wrap on it and forget about it .... but i'm not normal, despite what my signature might lead one to believe
my 99 ford at work had some wear on the steering wheel when i got it at 77k miles. that one wore the same 5dollar wrap until 120k when i got my 2010.
some of the chebbies at work had some serious problems too, so i don't think any brand is immune.
my exploder is leather wrapped, but still shows some visible wear. might should hit it with some leather dye to touch it up here some day, now that i think about it.
i'd just put a wrap on it and forget about it .... but i'm not normal, despite what my signature might lead one to believe
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From: Louisiana
I've never been a fan of the leather wrapped steering wheels because of this. On top of that, I really don't need a leather wrapped wheel...the regular old urethane steering wheel, or whatever it used to be made of was fine with me.
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From: Texarkana, TX
Yup. Same problem here. It is at the 12 o'clock position where I normally drape my hand/wrist over the wheel while on the road. I bought the truck with 20K miles on it and it wasn't there. Now I've got 45K in the year I've had it and it started back in the summer months. I don't use lotions on my hands so I can only surmise that it is the naturally occurring oils my skin produces.
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From: Connecticut
I chose (from Advanced Auto Parts) this one:
http://s411.beta.photobucket.com/use...tml?sort=3&o=1
But will be buying THIS one: (I'll wait til after Christmas, in case someone has
bought me one already)
http://s411.beta.photobucket.com/use...tml?sort=3&o=0
-Soupy1957
http://s411.beta.photobucket.com/use...tml?sort=3&o=1
But will be buying THIS one: (I'll wait til after Christmas, in case someone has
bought me one already)
http://s411.beta.photobucket.com/use...tml?sort=3&o=0
-Soupy1957
Last edited by soupy1957; Dec 7, 2012 at 03:05 AM. Reason: links
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: RVA
unfortunately my steering wheel cover, and all others i have looked at/tried, do not fit. i had to cut the cover at the 6o'clock position so it would fit. It, and all others, seems to be about 2-3 inches too small to fit.
Anyone have a better suggestion to a brand that fits and looks nice. I'd even consider a wrap as well.
Anyone have a better suggestion to a brand that fits and looks nice. I'd even consider a wrap as well.
Wheelskins - The World's Finest Genuine Leather Motoring Accessories, Steering Wheel Covers, Driving Gloves and Shift Boots
For about $50 it's a great purchase, and they seem to hold up quite well. Had one in my older Explorer and will be getting one for my '06 soon as I too have some deterioration in the 12 o'clock position from my hand oils.