Is it necessary to install a steering wheel cover?

[Mercedes]

If the vehicle's steering wheel is made of hard plastic, it is necessary to install a steering wheel cover. If the steering wheel is made of soft rubber material, it can be installed or not. Although a steering wheel cover can protect the steering wheel, during the entire driving process, everyone's hands will sweat, and the contact between the hands and the steering wheel is the most frequent, with millions of bacteria adsorbed on the steering wheel. Therefore, the installation of a steering wheel cover can be based on personal needs. The disadvantages of installing a steering wheel cover are as follows: 1. First, the most direct consequence of using a steering wheel cover is that it can cause the steering wheel to slip, especially for female drivers with smaller hands, making it more difficult to control the steering wheel. 2. Secondly, after using a steering wheel cover, the driver's perception of the steering wheel will be reduced, making it impossible to sense road conditions through the vibration of the steering wheel.

[StLiam]

Yesterday I just helped my dad replace the steering wheel cover for his car, and realized these things really depend on the situation. When I used a fluffy cover on my old car, it did solve the problem of the icy steering wheel in winter. But last week when my hands were sweaty from the rain, the wheel actually slipped halfway during a turn, nearly scraping the guardrail. If the steering wheel cover is too thick, it can affect grip, especially since it basically renders the heated steering wheel function useless. Now with my new car’s genuine leather steering wheel, I actually find it more comfortable without a cover. I remember my neighbor aunt installed one of those lace-trimmed covers, and it slipped during a turn, almost causing her to hit the railing. The auto repair shop mechanic later said 70% of steering wheel cover safety hazards occur during sharp turns. If you’re buying one, I’d recommend choosing a style with silicone anti-slip granules on the inner lining, and after putting it on, give it a few strong tugs to test its firmness.

[LaVanessa]

During my daily two-hour commute, I feel like a steering wheel cover is like dressing up the steering wheel. I've used those perforated leather covers, which indeed provide anti-slip when my palms sweat, but on long drives, I noticed the edges always rub against my thumb webbing. Old Zhang from the car modification club told me that factory steering wheels have anti-slip textures designed into them, and adding a thick cover actually dulls the road feedback. I remember once driving a friend's car—his faux suede cover got sticky after sunscreen got on it, and the steering wheel actually slipped in my hands over a speed bump. Now, I only use an ultra-thin cover for my decade-old car and wouldn’t dream of covering my new car’s steering wheel, especially since it has a heating function that would be wasted under a cover.

[DiColton]

After twelve years as a driving instructor, my biggest fear is students using plush steering wheel covers. Last week, a student's cover slipped during a turn, sending the car straight into a flower bed. These covers typically add about 15mm thickness to the original design, compromising control precision in emergencies. The transportation bureau's safety manual explicitly states that aftermarket additions must not interfere with steering performance. During last year's inspection, I saw a car required to remove its cover because it completely obstructed the airbag panel. If you must install one, choose a half-wrap design that doesn't block the paddle shifters or airbag indicators behind the wheel.