Heated Steering Wheel Question

halfalife · 01-22-2013, 03:40 AM

HI, I have the winter pack with the heated steering wheel. I've noticed recently it doesnt get as warm as it used to. Anyone else had this problem ?

daveycrocket · 01-22-2013, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halfalife

HI, I have the winter pack with the heated steering wheel. I've noticed recently it doesnt get as warm as it used to. Anyone else had this problem ?

Mine works great! Teh only thing I don't like is where the switch is located. It's a driver distraction.

noka · 01-22-2013, 05:42 AM

Mine heats up quickly and well. I don't mind where the switch is located and just go by feel. A dash indicator might be nice.

terrytnt · 01-22-2013, 09:31 AM

Funny, I was wondering the same thing about my steering wheel not heating. I thought it did this automatically, is that not the case? If it's manuel where is the switch... feel like this is a dumb question - should have known this!

Dechy · 01-22-2013, 09:46 AM

Mine still works great on "me old '11" heh, especially with the recent -30C weather!

Switch placement (lower left side of the driver column, FYI) isn't as bad as the useless indicator.

noka · 01-22-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrytnt

Funny, I was wondering the same thing about my steering wheel not heating. I thought it did this automatically, is that not the case? If it's manuel where is the switch... feel like this is a dumb question - should have known this!

You have CW package, I assume?

rmeir · 01-22-2013, 10:09 AM

mine gets so hot sometimes its uncomfortable, a dash light would be nice

noka · 01-22-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmeir

mine gets so hot sometimes its uncomfortable, a dash light would be nice

I guess individuals have different sensitivity but I don't think it should get so hot as to be uncomfortable. Maybe a 2-step switch (like heated seats 3-step) would be good

.

terrytnt · 01-22-2013, 12:13 PM

YES, I have the CW 1 package... It's below freezing here in the NE. I'll give it a try on the way home tonight.

thx!

Polar_Bimmer · 01-22-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dechy

Mine still works great on "me old '11" heh, especially with the recent -30C weather!

Switch placement (lower left side of the driver column, FYI) isn't as bad as the useless indicator.

+1

cfos · 01-22-2013, 08:06 PM

I find mine comes on slower than other cars. I think it has gotten too hot once or twice. I agree with all other posts regarding placement of the button and a dash acknowledgement.

JHnTN · 01-22-2013, 08:34 PM

Mine gets hot fast and can get uncomfortable if left on for 10-15 minutes. By that time car is warm and it really isn't needed. Nice feature!

midwest 340xi 6sp · 01-22-2013, 09:09 PM

Love the heated wheel....

Hate where they put the switch for it - it's comically poor placement

GenX3 · 01-22-2013, 09:48 PM

Mine seems to get hot pretty quick... then after it's been on for a while, it feels like it's no longer getting as hot. To the point where I have to look to see if it's still on. That's been my experience thus far. Pretty nice feature for a cold area.

Anyone know if there is another indicator (light, dash text, etc.) that would indicate the steering wheel heater is active? Yeah, the light position is horrible. What engineer came up with that idea?

terrytnt · 01-24-2013, 07:20 AM

Well, thanks to this forum (all of you) I found the switch (thought this was automatic in certain temps) and it works perfectly. Here in the Northeast, getting to my car after 5:00 pm (outside) it's below 20. Within minutes my hands are all of the steering wheel and warming rapidly. Outstanding feature. Agree - should have an indicator on the panel...

noka · 01-24-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrytnt

Well, thanks to this forum (all of you) I found the switch (thought this was automatic in certain temps) and it works perfectly. Here in the Northeast, getting to my car after 5:00 pm (outside) it's below 20. Within minutes my hands are all of the steering wheel and warming rapidly. Outstanding feature. Agree - should have an indicator on the panel...

It was 0F when I left for work this morning. Loved that heated wheel (and seats, of course!)

mdallas · 01-24-2013, 08:01 AM

Yes, the placement of the switch sucks. Yes, the indicator is useless. Yes, dash light would be awesome!!!

Works faster than the heated wheel in my new 2012 ML550!!!!

xDrive35i · 01-24-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noka

It was 0F when I left for work this morning. Loved that heated wheel (and seats, of course!)

It was 0˚F in Chicago at noon the other day.

LuckyScientist · 01-24-2013, 06:11 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for posting your experience regarding this issue.

I noticed that my steering wheel heater heats but does not get nearly as warm as a loaner 2013 I drove. I don't know if it had anything to do with the steering wheel thickness. The loaner did not have the sport activity package, so the thickness of the wheel was thinner, so it somewhat makes sense that a thinner wheel would heat more than a thicker one.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

02420X3 · 01-24-2013, 06:25 PM

I have the sport wheel and my steering wheel heater sometimes gets so warm that I consider turning it off.

mspringer · 01-24-2013, 06:31 PM

I also have the SAP and my wheel gets pleasantly warm, never hot, so it seems there is some variability in the degree of heating. In any case, I do love the heated wheel.

ricksters · 01-26-2013, 03:21 AM

Love it

01-22-2013, 03:40 AM	#1
halfalife Private First Class 21 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 3.0D Msport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Stockton on Tees iTrader: (0)	Heated Steering Wheel Question HI, I have the winter pack with the heated steering wheel. I've noticed recently it doesnt get as warm as it used to. Anyone else had this problem ?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-22-2013, 05:42 AM	#3
noka First Lieutenant 10 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2013 x35i M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Mine heats up quickly and well. I don't mind where the switch is located and just go by feel. A dash indicator might be nice. __________________ 2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps) Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 09:31 AM	#4
terrytnt Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i M/DHP Carbon Black Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Yardley, PA iTrader: (0)	Funny, I was wondering the same thing about my steering wheel not heating. I thought it did this automatically, is that not the case? If it's manuel where is the switch... feel like this is a dumb question - should have known this!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 09:46 AM	#5
Dechy Private 3 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i M Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Mine still works great on "me old '11" heh, especially with the recent -30C weather! Switch placement (lower left side of the driver column, FYI) isn't as bad as the useless indicator.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 10:09 AM	#7
rmeir Private First Class 23 Rep 160 Posts Drives: x3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: chicago il iTrader: (0)	mine gets so hot sometimes its uncomfortable, a dash light would be nice
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 12:13 PM	#9
terrytnt Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i M/DHP Carbon Black Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Yardley, PA iTrader: (0)	YES, I have the CW 1 package... It's below freezing here in the NE. I'll give it a try on the way home tonight. thx!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 08:06 PM	#11
cfos New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: MST iTrader: (0)	I find mine comes on slower than other cars. I think it has gotten too hot once or twice. I agree with all other posts regarding placement of the button and a dash acknowledgement.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 08:34 PM	#12
JHnTN New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35i Msport pkg Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Mine gets hot fast and can get uncomfortable if left on for 10-15 minutes. By that time car is warm and it really isn't needed. Nice feature!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 09:09 PM	#13
midwest 340xi 6sp Lieutenant Colonel 360 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest iTrader: (6)	Love the heated wheel.... Hate where they put the switch for it - it's comically poor placement __________________ Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2013, 09:48 PM	#14
GenX3 Private First Class 27 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Colo Spgs iTrader: (0)	Hot, then warm Mine seems to get hot pretty quick... then after it's been on for a while, it feels like it's no longer getting as hot. To the point where I have to look to see if it's still on. That's been my experience thus far. Pretty nice feature for a cold area. Anyone know if there is another indicator (light, dash text, etc.) that would indicate the steering wheel heater is active? Yeah, the light position is horrible. What engineer came up with that idea? __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Space Gray \| Sand Beige \| Sienna Packages \| M-Sport \| Cold I & II \| Tech \| Premium \| Sound \| BMW Apps, HUD, Net
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2013, 07:20 AM	#15
terrytnt Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i M/DHP Carbon Black Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Yardley, PA iTrader: (0)	Well, thanks to this forum (all of you) I found the switch (thought this was automatic in certain temps) and it works perfectly. Here in the Northeast, getting to my car after 5:00 pm (outside) it's below 20. Within minutes my hands are all of the steering wheel and warming rapidly. Outstanding feature. Agree - should have an indicator on the panel...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2013, 08:01 AM	#17
mdallas Private 31 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2021 G05 40i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Yes, the placement of the switch sucks. Yes, the indicator is useless. Yes, dash light would be awesome!!! Works faster than the heated wheel in my new 2012 ML550!!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2013, 06:11 PM	#19
LuckyScientist Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Hi guys, Thanks for posting your experience regarding this issue. I noticed that my steering wheel heater heats but does not get nearly as warm as a loaner 2013 I drove. I don't know if it had anything to do with the steering wheel thickness. The loaner did not have the sport activity package, so the thickness of the wheel was thinner, so it somewhat makes sense that a thinner wheel would heat more than a thicker one. Any thoughts? Thanks,
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2013, 06:25 PM	#20
02420X3 Captain 63 Rep 983 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I have the sport wheel and my steering wheel heater sometimes gets so warm that I consider turning it off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2013, 06:31 PM	#21
mspringer Private 30 Rep 84 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i M-Sport/DHP Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2002 BMW M3 [0.00]	I also have the SAP and my wheel gets pleasantly warm, never hot, so it seems there is some variability in the degree of heating. In any case, I do love the heated wheel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2013, 03:21 AM	#22
ricksters New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 28i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa iTrader: (0)	Love it
	Appreciate 0 Quote