Show Achiou, Andalus Sliding into the cockpit in the dead of winter can be an adventure, especially if your car or truck doesn't have creature comforts like auto start and heated seats. A heated steering wheel is a heck of a perk of modern cars too. But most older vehicles lack these features. Seat covers will help keep vinyl and leather seats from feeling icy on your bum and back—but what about your fingers on that shocking-cold steering wheel? A steering-wheel cover is the answer. Made of modern, breathable, and soft but grippy materials, today's steering-wheel covers are a far cry from the slippery sheepskin ones your grandpa used (more on those later). They come in many styles, designs, and textiles. But we admit it—the aesthetic isn't for everyone. Either way, the benefits are undeniable, and this accessory makes a thoughtful and affordable gift. Here are five steering-wheel covers we'd actually consider using in our own cars. Top-Rated Products to Winterize Your Garage 1 Auxlight Universal 15-inch Steering-Wheel Cover 2 Pinctrot Large Steering-Wheel Cover 3 Achiou Color-Accent Steering-Wheel Cover 4 SEG Direct Large Steering-Wheel Cover for Trucks 5 Andalus Sheepskin Steering-Wheel Cover Jon Langston The Senior Commerce Editor for Hearst Autos, Jon Langston is an avid motorcyclist and gear collector whose work has appeared in Men’s Journal, The Drive, Rider, Task & Purpose, Cycle World, and more.\
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear. Add a refreshing spin to your driving experience.
Staff, Courtesy of Sharper Image A steering wheel is your primary contact point while driving a vehicle, where you press the flesh mile after mile, so you want it to look and feel great. Luxury and sports cars already offer high-end steering wheels or you could spend hundreds of dollars on a replacement steering wheel for aesthetic and performance reasons, but an easy and affordable upgrade is to simply add a steering wheel cover—which can be done for under $20. Covers are ideal for protecting your steering wheel from wear and tear, disguising cracks and other damage in older cars, supplying extra grip and comfort, or even providing warming and cooling features to make handling a hot or cold steering wheel more tolerable.
What to ConsiderSteering wheel covers come in an almost overwhelming array of materials and colors, so you can express your personality. Rock a cover with everything from your favorite sports team to your most-loved cartoon character. Important things to consider are fit, material, price, feel, and extras like heating and cooling. A cover slightly changes the steering feel, but I found you get used to the sensation after just a few miles. How We EvaluatedI evaluated wheel covers in two extremely different locations and environments—cold, rainy, and snowy Oregon, and hot and dry Baja, Mexico—and in two different vehicles: a 2017 Honda CR-V and a 1999 Saturn Wagon. I also read multiple online reviews to gauge what consumers think of each cover. Ultimately, I considered how easy a cover is to install, how it feels to the hands, whether it added weight or bulk, and whether extra features such as heating and cooling worked as advertised. Best All-Around Valleycomfy Valleycomfy Leather Steering Wheel Cover Universal 15-inch Runner up SEG Direct SEG Direct Black and Gray Microfiber Car Steering Wheel Cover Universal 15-inch
Best for Winter ZONETECH Zone Tech 12V Plush Heated Steering Wheel Cover Best Bargain Sulida Sulida Steering Wheel Cover Best Bling Cover ChuLian ChuLian Bling Bling Diamond Steering Wheel Cover Best for Warm Climates Rueesh Rueesh Microfiber Leather 15-inch Steering Wheel Cover Embossing Pattern Black Line Best for Summer BDK Sharper Image Cooling Gel Cushion Grip Steering Wheel Cover Best All-Weather BOKIN Bokin Microfiber Leather Viscose Steering Wheel Cover Doug Newcomb Doug Newcomb splits his time between Hood River, Ore., and Todos Santos, Mexico. Can I put a wheel cover on a heated steering wheel?It may cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long periods. Do not place anything on the steering wheel that insulates against heat, such as a blanket or steering wheel covers of any type and material. This may cause the steering wheel heater to overheat.
What steering wheel cover works with heated steering wheel?The Zadin SB-122 gets our vote for best overall heated steering wheel cover for strong heat. Its thermostat runs between 95 and 120 degrees—toasty on the most frigid mornings. Your hands will warm up long before the rest of the car. It's a plush cover with ridges to ensure grip.
Is heated steering wheel worth it?A heated steering wheel offers the following benefits: Comfort on cold days: The most obvious benefit of a heated steering wheel cover is the added comfort on a cold day. It can quickly warm up your frosted fingers after walking to your vehicle. Increased grip: Some heated steering wheel covers also improve your grip.
Is it safe to have a steering wheel cover?Steering wheel covers are not dangerous to use. As long as the cover is properly fitted, the correct size, from a trusted manufacturer, and installed correctly, they're safe for anyone to use. The problem arises when the cover is too large or loose on your steering wheel.
|