Heated Steering Wheel

[Amato]

Took delivery of my new 22 Premium about 3 weeks ago. When I use the heated steering wheel it warms up quickly, but after a minute or two it seems to shut off, then back on a few minutes later, then back off, no consistency. Anyone else experiencing this?

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[Vulnox]

I think that has been fairly typical of heated steering wheels across the board. It doesn't really shut off if I recall, it just lowers the heat level. Idea is to keep your hands warm, but not sweaty, which can be dangerous.

 

[MachEMaster]

At 3 bars, the Heated Seat is a scorcher. The Heated Steering Wheel temperature on my Select AWD is a very mild temperature. I have noted the wheel feels warmer at 4 and 8 O'clock, as opposed at 10 and 2. I wondered if the windings were not uniformly wrapped around the whole wheel assembly?

 

[Mach-Lee]

Took delivery of my new 22 Premium about 3 weeks ago. When I use the heated steering wheel it warms up quickly, but after a minute or two it seems to shut off, then back on a few minutes later, then back off, no consistency. Anyone else experiencing this?

It warms up to a set temperature, and then maintains that temperature. During the initial warmup it overshoots a bit due to thermal lag, so it feels warmer the first few minutes until it reaches equilibrium.

 

[P. T. Magoo]

To me subjectively, it feels like if my hands have been at 2 and 10 o'clock for a bit, I can move them to 4 and 8 and perceive more warmth from the wheel, and vice versa a little later. I wonder if the reflexion of the heat from my hand flips the thermostat in the zone where my hand was.

That said, why on earth would they zone the windings for a heated wheel?? Seems like it would be a needless expense and encourage the car to heat the air around the wheel more than where somebody's hands are.

But it sure feels that way so I move between positions from time to time for more heat, or more perception of heat, or whatever.

On the bright side, on a long trip the physical therapist in me figures it's good ergonomics to change hand positions from time to time.

 

[generaltso]

At least the wheel is heated all the way around. A lot of cars have steering wheels that are only heated on the sides.

 

[markboris]

At least the wheel is heated all the way around. A lot of cars have steering wheels that are only heated on the sides.

Almost evenly heated all the way around too!

 

[Mark Hassa]

Any way to have the wheel linked to the Automatic seats? I remember my Chevy Volt would turn the wheel on automatically with the seats.

 

[HuntingPudel]

To me subjectively, it feels like if my hands have been at 2 and 10 o'clock for a bit, I can move them to 4 and 8 and perceive more warmth from the wheel, and vice versa a little later. I wonder if the reflexion of the heat from my hand flips the thermostat in the zone where my hand was.

That said, why on earth would they zone the windings for a heated wheel?? Seems like it would be a needless expense and encourage the car to heat the air around the wheel more than where somebody's hands are.

But it sure feels that way so I move between positions from time to time for more heat, or more perception of heat, or whatever.

On the bright side, on a long trip the physical therapist in me figures it's good ergonomics to change hand positions from time to time.

This is due to caloric density. Your hands have a much higher caloric density than the air around the rear of the steering wheel. This means that they absorb much more energy in order to achieve a thermal change than the air does for the same change. It’s the same reason that humid air feels hotter or colder than dry air if the same temperature. The heating element puts out so much energy pretty uniformly across its length. The temperature where your hands have contact will be colder than the areas where your hands do not have contact. ??

 

[markboris]

Any way to have the wheel linked to the Automatic seats? I remember my Chevy Volt would turn the wheel on automatically with the seats.

There is an option in the Remote Start settings to have the heated seats and steering wheel both come on if that's what you are looking to do.

 

[P. T. Magoo]

This is due to caloric density. Your hands have a much higher caloric density than the air around the rear of the steering wheel. This means that they absorb much more energy in order to achieve a thermal change than the air does for the same change. It’s the same reason that humid air feels hotter or colder than dry air if the same temperature. The heating element puts out so much energy pretty uniformly across its length. The temperature where your hands have contact will be colder than the areas where your hands do not have contact. ??

Ahh! Mystery solved! This makes perfect sense. Sounds like you're saying the water and protein in my hands have a higher specific heat (greater ability to move heat) than air. Air-cooled car engines need more air flow than water-cooled cars need water flow, and all that. The old-school storm windows in my midcentury house have air between panes of glass, probably for the same reason. That, and if they filled that space with water it'd be all over the floor in no time.

Thanks @HuntingPudel!

 

[Guss-E 2021]

It warms up to a set temperature, and then maintains that temperature. During the initial warmup it overshoots a bit due to thermal lag, so it feels warmer the first few minutes until it reaches equilibrium.

This has been my experience. Before this car, I would have said a heated steering wheel was an unnecessary add-on for pansies ? but I am now using the feature regularly. I don't think I ever realized how cold my hands typically are when driving (poor circulation?). Having the ability to alleviate that is quite nice. Who knew!

 

[nuMach]

At 3 bars, the Heated Seat is a scorcher. The Heated Steering Wheel temperature on my Select AWD is a very mild temperature. I have noted the wheel feels warmer at 4 and 8 O'clock, as opposed at 10 and 2. I wondered if the windings were not uniformly wrapped around the whole wheel assembly?

3 and 9 are the new 10 and 2.
if the airbag deploys and you are at 10 or 2, your watch will leave mickey mouse's hand impressions in your forehead at the time of the event.

at least thats what my instructor passed on.

taken a fair bit to break me of the old habit.

 

[MachEMaster]

3 and 9 are the new 10 and 2.
if the airbag deploys and you are at 10 or 2, your watch will leave mickey mouse's hand impressions in your forehead at the time of the event.

at least thats what my instructor passed on.

taken a fair bit to break me of the old habit.

I'm like an F1 driver, I let go of the steering wheel Just before impact! Lol

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