Is a heated steering wheel worth it?

Feeling cosy in your car on cold days can certainly make the drive to work a lot more bearable during the winter months. From dual climate control to heated seats, cars now come with many driver-friendly features as standard. 

If you hate having cold hands when behind the wheel and don’t fancy sporting a pair of driving gloves, then a heated steering wheel could be the perfect solution. Here at Octane Finance, we discuss the subject of a heated steering wheel to answer the question; is a heated steering wheel worth it?   

How does a heated steering wheel work?

So how does a heated steering wheel actually work? Well, the principle is very similar to how an electric blanket would work. The steering wheel is fitted with a metal coil (element) which converts electrical energy into heat that can then be felt by the driver - much like a heated seat. 

A heat resistant element will be used to stop the steering wheel from overheating and is powered by the battery when the engine is turned on. The heated steering wheel can be switched on or off at the touch of a button. Some heated steering wheels will even be fitted with controls that allow the driver to adjust and control the temperature emitted.

The technology used is not a new thing, but heated steering wheels are not necessarily a feature included in all makes of cars - most likely because of the cost involved to implement it. Deemed to be a more luxurious addition, this is why some manufacturers will offer a heated steering wheel as an added feature instead. 

Funnily enough, it’s actually the LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) market that has been quick to adopt heating steering wheels as standard - most likely because owners will spend a lot more time driving.      

How long does it take for a heated steering wheel to heat up?

How long it takes for a heated steering wheel to heat up can depend on the make and model of the car. However, generally, it can take between 10-15 seconds for you to start feeling the warmth when a heated steering wheel is switched on. It can take up to a minute to reach the maximum temperature required. 

How long does a heated steering wheel stay on?

Depending on the make and model of the car you’re driving, will depend on how long a heated steering wheel will stay on for. This is because the heating elements within the steering wheel can vary depending on the manufacturer, which means some are time limited, whereas others aren’t. 

For example, if you drive a Mazda with a heated steering wheel, it will stay heated for around 30 minutes, whereas if you own a Jeep with a heated steering wheel, the time it stays heated is closer to 80 minutes. Most heated steering wheels have an automatic shut off system to stop it from overheating during prolonged periods of use.   

What cars have a heated steering wheel?

Only a few years ago, the addition of a heated steering wheel would have added hundreds, if not thousands of pounds to the price of a new car, which is why they were always associated with luxurious brands such as Jaguar and Bentley. 

However, fast forward a handful of years and the technology has not only developed, but become more practical and cost effective too. As such, there are many more car brands that now come equipped with a heated steering wheel as standard, including:

• BMW 4 Series
• Ford Ranger
• Hyundai Tucson
• Jaguar XF
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Kia Ceed
• Land Rover Discovery Sport
• Nissan LEAF
• Skoda Kodiaq
• Vauxhall Corsa
• Volkswagen ID.4
• Volkswagen Tiguan

Can you add a heated steering wheel to a car?

Adding a heated steering wheel to a car is an optional upgrade offered for many new vehicles at the time of purchase during the build stage. It is still possible to add an aftermarket heated steering wheel, but we’d recommend that this only ever be fitted by the manufacturer.  

Because of this there is a huge heated steering wheel cover market, which proves to be an ideal option if you’re hoping to warm your hands for less money. Much like a heated steering wheel, a cover uses a heating element to create warmth and comes in cloth or leather as standard. The cover can then be plugged into a car’s USB port or cigarette lighter.

Bear in mind that most heated steering wheel covers come in universal (one size) fit so you’ll need to make sure it’s compatible with your car. Leather covers prove the most popular with drivers because they also offer plenty of grip, but cloth-based covers do warm up quicker. However, not all heated steering wheel covers can be used while driving, so make sure you check the instructions at time of purchase to confirm this. Prices start from around £29.99.   

Heated steering wheels - our verdict

We hope that by reading this article, it will help you decide whether or not a heated steering wheel is for you. As with any driver comfort feature - such as heated seats, for example - you’ll find that once you drive a car with one, you won’t be able to do without! 

If the car you wish to invest in comes equipped with a heated steering wheel as standard, then it’s a no-brainer! However, if it is deemed a luxury add-on, then the best thing to do is weigh up the pros and cons of having one installed; consider cost versus amount of use - or purchase a heated steering wheel cover instead. 

2023 to bring heated seat belts 

As technology develops at a rapid pace - especially where electric vehicles are concerned - so too does increased driver comfort. So much so that it seems heated seat belts are the next big thing! 

A tech company called ZF claims that its development of heated seat belts will actually help to reduce the energy consumption used by electric vehicles. Maximum efficiency will be achieved by the heated seats, steering wheel and seat belts working in conjunction with each other reducing the need for the cabin’s main heaters. 

Made from a specialised webbing material which has heating conductors woven into it, the new seat belts will be slightly thicker than traditional ones as they are designed to provide warmth across the body. It's expected that temperature settings would reach up to 40 degrees celsius. But which manufacturer will be the first to add heated seat belts to their fleet? Let’s watch this space! 

Fuel your finance at Octane

If you’re looking to fund a new car or van with or without a heated steering wheel, we can help. Here at Octane Finance we work with customers all over the UK to secure vehicle finance solutions from our extensive range of lenders. 

Speak to us about how we can get you behind the (heated) steering wheel of the vehicle of your dreams. You can even apply for finance online in three easy steps - access the best rates and simply sign on the dotted line with our electronic signature system.