Slick Steering Wheel

[Gambler]

I've had a chance to drive my new ride around some more, and if this is the worst of my complaints, I guess that says something about the car! I find the leather portion of the steering wheel to be rather slippery. I actually had it slip slightly while making a turn (I quickly clamped down), but it makes me worry about next time. The wood portion at the top is great and I have no problems with that, I wish it went all the way around. Do any of you have this problem, or is it just me? Would a leather conditioner help or make the problem worse? TIA

 

[mcconh]

I have the same problem but NO wood to grab as it is a 3.8 premium. I have tried a Leather conditioner but that seems to make the problem worse. In my opinion it is slippery enough to be a safety issue for my wife, especially with the stiff steering.

I have owned the car for three weeks.

 

[jwaters943]

Get some leather driving gloves.

Honestly, I noticed at first that the leather was very smooth (not slippery), but after a while I got used to it.

You could always invest in a sportier aftermarket steering wheel:

 

[jwaters943]

I have the same problem but NO wood to grab as it is a 3.8 premium. I have tried a Leather conditioner but that seems to make the problem worse. In my opinion it is slippery enough to be a safety issue for my wife, especially with the stiff steering.

I have owned the car for three weeks.

And here we go!

 

[nearwater]

Hand lotion. Your hands aren't moist enough.
Seriously though, I don't find the leather portion slippery.
I find it really comfortable and probably more than the wood portion.
I may have sweaty palms.

Dan

 

[Disaster]

Stickum.

 

[nearwater]

Stickum.

That'll work too.

Dan

 

[Gambler]

I had seen that steering wheel (I like the carbon fiber one), but $650 is a bit steep. I could get a cover for it, but I like the diameter of the grip as it is. Just wondering if anybody had a solution for this already. I don't think I'll be using the Stickum...serious suggestions please. My Tahoe has a leather wrapped wheel and I have absolutely no problems with that. It could be a case of too high quality materials

 

[Disaster]

I had seen that steering wheel (I like the carbon fiber one), but $650 is a bit steep. I could get a cover for it, but I like the diameter of the grip as it is. Just wondering if anybody had a solution for this already. I don't think I'll be using the Stickum...serious suggestions please. My Tahoe has a leather wrapped wheel and I have absolutely no problems with that. It could be a case of too high quality materials

I was actually being serious. Stickum also comes in a paste and only a little should make the leather sufficiently tacky. In my experience, leather steering wheels generally gets tackier with age, as stuff gets transferred from the hands. A bit of stickum would just accelerate that process and is designed for leather application so it will not hurt the wheel.

Here it is suggested in another forum.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=206274

 

[Gambler]

Ok, sorry, it seemed like it was a joke. I think I'll give it some time and see what happens first.

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[Mark_888]

I would be very careful with what is used to clean the leather wheel. As mentioned, a leather (or vinyl) conditioner may make it worse because they add oils to the leather. Some sort of cleaning spray such as 409, Windex, or Dow Bath Cleaner, etc, probably works best if the steering wheel needs to be cleaned.

 

[nearwater]

I would be very careful with what is used to clean the leather wheel. As mentioned, a leather (or vinyl conditioner) may make it worse because they add oils to the leather. Some sort of cleaning spray such as 409, Windex, or Dow Bath Cleaner, etc, probably works best if the steering wheel needs to be cleaned.

I have never been a fan of those so-called "leather conditioners".
It makes the surface shiny and greasy, keeping it very unpleasant to the touch.
I always clean the interior with a damp microfiber towel. Works great for me.
IMO, the oil from my skin is enough to keep the leather from cracking.

Now for leather seats, it would be a different story since it sees a lot more stress than a steering wheel. I wouldn't mind treating the leather seats with some conditioners.

Dan

 

[tjc78]

I would be very careful with what is used to clean the leather wheel. As mentioned, a leather (or vinyl) conditioner may make it worse because they add oils to the leather. Some sort of cleaning spray such as 409, Windex, or Dow Bath Cleaner, etc, probably works best if the steering wheel needs to be cleaned.

I don't know about you guys but in no way is 409, windex, or bathroom cleaner touching anything leather in my cars.

Like another poster mentioned a damp microfiber towel or if needed a suitable interior cleaner does the trick (like Meguiars).

 

[Sayantsi]

Funny that I prefer leather steering wheels to wood... I don't find the leather steering wheel slick to grasp; maybe the dealer treated the leather with something that is making it slick? Your ride is still pretty new right?

 

[Mark_888]

I don't know about you guys but in no way is 409, windex, or bathroom cleaner touching anything leather in my cars.

Like another poster mentioned a damp microfiber towel or if needed a suitable interior cleaner does the trick (like Meguiars).

A little bit of cleaning fluid will not damage the leather on the steering wheel if it needs cleaning. The idea is not to make it slicker and to not "condition" the leather. I would not use any cleaner "designed" for leather or vinyl, because that would make it worse. The rest of the leather in the car is a different story, but the steerng wheel is a safety issue.

Microfiber towel? A few scratches are exactly what is called for when the steering wheel is too slick.

Anyway, it is just a friggin car.

 

[tjc78]

Everyone has their cleaning procedures that work for them. The last thing you want to do is dry out the leather on the wheel. The finish will start to come off and it will become nasty.

I see so many fairly new cars that the leather wheels are destroyed. What do people do to them? On my last car after 3 years you couldn't tell it from new other than it was a touch shiny from the oil on my hands.

 

[Mark_888]

Everyone has their cleaning procedures that work for them. The last thing you want to do is dry out the leather on the wheel. The finish will start to come off and it will become nasty.

I see so many fairly new cars that the leather wheels are destroyed. What do people do to them? On my last car after 3 years you couldn't tell it from new other than it was a touch shiny from the oil on my hands.

My last car was a 1998 Toyota Camry V6 XLE with leather steering wheel. Sold in 2009 when I bought the Genesis. My steering wheel was like new, and I did not use any special leather or vinyl conditioners on it. But I am certainly not suggesting that "preventive" cleaning be done with harsh chemicals, only if a cleaner is really needed. Otherwise soapy water is probably fine. In the 11 years I owned the car, I probably cleaned the steering wheel 4-5 times.

I don't believe in preventive maintenance of interiors. It usually makes the car look worse after repeated treatments of these "lotions." If it is dusty, vacuum it. If it is still dirty after vacuuming, then clean it with soap or household cleaners.

But it is just a car, so I don't pay that much attention to it anyway.

 

[Gambler]

I'll see what they have in AutoZone, I'll try to find a cleaner without any oils in it.

...Your ride is still pretty new right?

Ya, I've put under 100 miles on it so far.

...Anyway, it is just a friggin car.

BAN!

 

[ASHDUMP]

I've been using Meguiars interior detail for the steering wheel. It works great on basically everything right down to the LCD screen. I use it with a microfiber towel.

 

[RonP]

I thought it was a bit slippery at first, more than my previous car, but after 5000 miles it does not seem slippery anymore.