Contents
Have you ever put your bare hands on an ice-cold steering wheel in winter? It’s not pleasant. That’s why many luxury cars offer the option of a heated steering wheel.
Even if your ride didn’t come from the factory with a heated steering wheel , there are easy, low-tech ways to keep your hands toasty on bone-chilling days.
Heated Steering Wheel Covers
A slip-on cloth cover is easy to take on and off.
The first step to warmer hands is wrapping your steering wheel with a cloth or leather cover. Covers insulate the plastic or metallic surface—making the steering wheel feel warmer and sportier—while maintaining its condition.
Snug lace-up covers make a precise fit. Lacing a steering wheel is almost as easy as lacing up your shoes. A leather lace-up steering wheel cover offers a firmer grip when making turns.
Your high school home economics teacher will be impressed.
Heated steering-wheel covers use a power plug (or cigarette lighter). They’re not as elegant as a lace-up cover, but adding a heated element is a game-changer. These covers come in leather or cloth.
Shop now for a heated steering wheel cover
Most popular plug-in heated steering wheel covers warm up to 149° Fahrenheit in about 10 seconds. That’s pretty toasty, so you might not need to plug in while driving.
Plug in, scrape the ice off your windows, and by the time you get back inside, it should be warm enough to drive. If you leave it plugged in, it’s essential to make sure the cord does not interfere with your ability to turn the wheel. Many units offer a quick disconnect plug. When winter is over, disconnect and store the heating gear until the mercury drops again.
Replace the Entire Steering Wheel
If your car is relatively new, you might be able to find a heated steering wheel from a donor car. Search eBay Motors for your specific make and model.
When you find the right steering wheel, the next step is to replace the old one. Most cars have a dedicated wiring harness for the new wheel. Be careful not to disturb the airbags.
We strongly suggest doing your homework before committing to a heated steering wheel swap. Check YouTube tutorials and car discussion forums for the details. In most cases, you’ll need to disconnect the battery and discharge any residual voltage before touching the airbag wiring. Otherwise, the device could deploy. Check your car’s service manual for specific instructions.
Shop now for a heated steering wheelWinter Driving Gloves
Every car enthusiast deserves a nice set of driving gloves. Gearheads living in cold climates need a second pair just for cold weather. Gloves come in various styles, enabling you to keep using your dashboard touchscreen.
No matter what style of glove you choose, you want to maintain a secure grip on the wheel. We prefer leather and a design that offers ventilation to avoid clammy hands. Also, look for a snap or Velcro closure at the wrist to help keep the cold air from coming in.
Some warm gloves provide a “fingerless” option. The tips of your fingers might get cold, but you can maximize your grip and use all your devices.
Chauffeur Textile Driving Gloves
These string-backed gloves have long been a favorite of drivers no matter the weather. The textile back absorbs sweat. They might not be the best in subzero temps, but they’re beautiful for most of the year.
Lambskin Driving Gloves
Lambskin gloves give plenty of feel on the controls while leaving ventilation in the back to release moisture.
Milwaukee Ladies Black Leather Gloves
Heavyweight gloves still allow ventilation but have padded palms to absorb vibrations. They’re meant more for motorcyclists, but anyone driving a truck (especially a classic truck with an active suspension) will appreciate the extra padding.
Aris Isotoner 500 Stretch Driving Gloves
Classic Isotoner gloves are thin yet warm. They have leather surfaces to provide grip and stretchy material to conform to most hands.
