Is It Necessary to Add Another Leather Cover to a Genuine Leather Steering Wheel?
2 Answers
It is advisable to install an additional leather cover, as it significantly enhances the driving experience by providing a superior tactile feel compared to the original plastic steering wheel. However, if your vehicle already comes equipped with a stitched genuine leather steering wheel, adding another leather cover is unnecessary. Some high-end models feature multifunctional genuine leather steering wheels that offer excellent grip even without an additional cover. Here are more details: Benefits of upgrading to leather: If the original steering wheel lacks a leather covering and feels unsatisfactory to the touch, installing a steering wheel cover can improve grip quality and reduce wear on the wheel. When purchasing a steering wheel cover, pay attention to the following points to ensure driving safety. Importance of the steering wheel: As a critical component of the steering system, any minor issue can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, it is essential to choose a steering wheel cover that matches the original size. If the cover is too large, it may slip during turns or when the wheel returns to center, potentially causing understeer.
Genuine leather steering wheels are already a standard feature in high-end cars, and adding an additional cover seems unnecessary, primarily due to safety concerns. Manufacturers have already considered ergonomic grip and airbag deployment precision during the design phase. Adding a cover yourself might interfere with airbag deployment, which could be dangerous in critical moments. I've also seen many cases where unevenly stitched covers cause the steering wheel to slip or jam, affecting steering accuracy. Protecting the original leather? Regular cleaning is usually enough to maintain it well—why go through the extra hassle, wasting money and time? From an overall experience perspective, modern car steering wheel materials are already highly durable, with genuine leather being sweat-resistant and wear-resistant. Adding a thick cover can actually make the grip rougher, causing finger fatigue during long drives. In short, sticking with the original setup is the most reliable approach—safety should always come first.