Heated steering wheel

BEAR-AvHistory · 10-27-2022, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob175

Both the dealer (while I watched) and myself with my own digital thermal temp reader showed that PORTIONS of the wheel reached 97 while other portions read 87. That's when the dealer installed another wheel but the results were the same. The dealer also noted that after about 15 minutes it shut off and cooled down as I first said. Then I got another technical answer saying it's a "PULSE heat design"...whatever that means. All I know is it's not working well.

As I previously wrote, the dealer then asked for a BMW Regional Tech Rep to take a look. An appointment was set up, I brought the car in and watched while the Tech and the dealer's staff checked it out.....the final report was "the wheel is heating AS DESIGNED". While at the same time they agreed it wasn't very warm and actually used the words "luke warm" and told me the "thicker" steering wheels heated "better", but they are not interchangeable.

So, After writing several times to BMW NA, and meeting with their Tech Rep, and my dealer AND changing out the steering wheel, I feel like I've gone as far as I can....a dead end.

I suggest BMW just installed a bunch of wheels back in early 2020 that were just not right and they don't want to admit it for economic reasons.....sorry but that's my thinking.

Interesting, where do you hold the steering wheel normally? Have a few laser heat gauges. If I do a test it might not match yours as I have the thick wheel but would be nice to see as I have 2 cars from BMW & 1 from FORD

BTW your 97*F is pretty much max for most cars.

CFonAir · 10-27-2022, 02:16 PM

The next time someone at the dealership is a little short, maybe we all remember what they go through.

gramboda · 10-27-2022, 05:03 PM

I have not read through all the comments but it appears the consensus is that the wheel heats as expected.
While I dont have any complains, I will cast my vote for noticing the wheel does not get as hot as others I have had. In fact, last week I drove from CHI to NE WI and noticed I had the heated wheel on the entire time when I got home. That would NEVER happen with any other wheel I have had.

mreg376 · 10-28-2022, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwiginton

Does anyone feel that the heated steering wheel is weak on their X3? We also have an X7 and, by comparison, the heated steering wheel in the X3 is weak. The X7 will burn your hands it's so hot. The X3 feels like it just heats the leather on the steering wheel where it isn't cold to the touch and then cycles off. What is everyone else's experience?

It's the weakest heated steering wheel I've ever had.

jmcbmw · 10-29-2022, 10:45 AM

My 22 X3 heated wheel is lukewarm as well. I really like the hot heat as it helps pain in my hands from arthritis and use it year round even in California

s5sportback · 10-30-2022, 04:03 PM

I agree not extremely warm, I find myself hitting the button again to verify if it is on or off.

SupremePower3335 · 10-31-2022, 01:31 PM

I just got my 2018..I dont find it that hot..it's warm but no where HOT! We will see when it get's really cold

EWL5 · 12-19-2022, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWL5

ECO PRO impacts climate related controls (according to the manual).

After a conversation with a BMW rep from Corporate as a followup to my recent X3 purchase, I can confirm that ECO PRO does reduce the amount of power given to either the heated seats or to the heated steering wheel. He said that what would have been a Level 1 heated seat under "Comfort" may be equivalent to a Level 2 under "ECO PRO". The steering wheel heat would be similarly reduced.

Avoid using ECO PRO under extreme winter or summer conditions was his suggestion for the best climate control in the car.

rob175 · 12-20-2022, 09:12 AM

Well....that's the FIRST TIME anyone has indicated the steering wheel heating has Levels" based on the transmission settings. I always ride in "Comfort" mode. Today it's forecast to be in the 20's so I'll try "Sport" mode. If, in fact the steering wheel heating varies based on "mode" setting then perhaps I'll notice a difference.

Perhaps some have missed my point that not only does the steering wheel barely feel "luke warm" but even that amount of warmth appears to sometimes vanish after about 20 minutes of driving, to the point where there's ZERO warmth generated at all! This isn't my first rodeo with heated wheels. I've had heated wheels in the last 5 cars I've owned and by far this is the weakest and worst of all.

I wonder if X3 owners are aware that BMW uses 2 different steering wheels, or at lest they did in 2020-2021, and perhaps still do. One is noticeably "thicker" than the other. It's the "thinner" leather wheel that seems to suffer from weak heating. That might explain why some owners have no idea what I'm talking about and comment their wheel is "perfect" or even "too hot". Perhaps they have the thicker leather wheel and don't know there is a thinner version.

The problem seems to be confined to the "thinner" of the 2 steering wheel styles.

EWL5 · 12-20-2022, 10:47 AM

It's been below freezing the last couple of evenings and my heated steering wheel has been fine. I must have the thicker wheel in my '23 model.

EWL5 · 12-20-2022, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob175

Well....that's the FIRST TIME anyone has indicated the steering wheel heating has Levels" based on the transmission settings. I always ride in "Comfort" mode. Today it's forecast to be in the 20's so I'll try "Sport" mode. If, in fact the steering wheel heating varies based on "mode" setting then perhaps I'll notice a difference.

My understanding is that "Sport" or "Comfort" should give the same result as you get maximum power.

It is ONLY when you select "ECO PRO" that power is reduced.

misterdom · 12-20-2022, 11:28 AM

It is lukewarm. My 2017 G30 is much hotter and I have to turn it off after 10 minutes. On the X3 I leave it on for the full 45min commute. It works it’s just not as warm.

rob175 · 12-21-2022, 09:39 AM

I guess the best way to describe it is that it's "heat" just barely manages to take the CHILL out of the wheel but nothing more than that. Positioning the heating vents to blow in the direction of the steering wheel actually does a better job of warming the leather wrap.

It's the really only "disappointment" I have with the car....So I guess that's not too bad.

BEAR-AvHistory · 12-21-2022, 09:54 AM

Just to add two other cars to the mix. Thick wheels. I shut the wheel heat off in about 10 minutes in both as the wheel feels hot.

Takes a while to cool. Do any of you use the remote start & have settings for the wheel & seats? Have mine set to heat if outside is under 40*F.

Never looked at the wheel settings but the seat temperatures can be coded as to what temperatures the three range buttons will produce.

Might there also be a coding heat range for the wheel?

jmcbmw · 12-21-2022, 07:59 PM

yes , it’s awful and i’ve come from several prior BMWs ( including X3) and my 2022 is weak AF and would be nice to have an indicator light

rob175 · 12-22-2022, 07:35 AM

It's not code-able, the heat is what it is (or isn't). And yes, it would be nice to have a light that indicates if the wheel heat is on instead of needing to press the button and read the message on the instrument panel.

10-27-2022, 02:16 PM	#46
CFonAir Second Lieutenant 272 Rep 252 Posts Drives: BMW '22 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Midwest, USA iTrader: (0)	The next time someone at the dealership is a little short, maybe we all remember what they go through.
	Appreciate 1 pdotc849.00 Quote

10-27-2022, 05:03 PM	#47
gramboda Second Lieutenant 160 Rep 275 Posts Drives: Murdered X4 M40i Join Date: May 2012 Location: NE WI iTrader: (1)	I have not read through all the comments but it appears the consensus is that the wheel heats as expected. While I dont have any complains, I will cast my vote for noticing the wheel does not get as hot as others I have had. In fact, last week I drove from CHI to NE WI and noticed I had the heated wheel on the entire time when I got home. That would NEVER happen with any other wheel I have had.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2022, 10:45 AM	#49
jmcbmw Private First Class 36 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 X-drive 30i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	My 22 X3 heated wheel is lukewarm as well. I really like the hot heat as it helps pain in my hands from arthritis and use it year round even in California
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2022, 04:03 PM	#50
s5sportback New Member 3 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Audi S5 Sportback, BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: STL iTrader: (0)	I agree not extremely warm, I find myself hitting the button again to verify if it is on or off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2022, 01:31 PM	#51
SupremePower3335 Lieutenant 56 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2011 335 MSport & 2018 X3 30i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I just got my 2018..I dont find it that hot..it's warm but no where HOT! We will see when it get's really cold __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2022, 09:12 AM	#53
rob175 Major 694 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Well....that's the FIRST TIME anyone has indicated the steering wheel heating has Levels" based on the transmission settings. I always ride in "Comfort" mode. Today it's forecast to be in the 20's so I'll try "Sport" mode. If, in fact the steering wheel heating varies based on "mode" setting then perhaps I'll notice a difference. Perhaps some have missed my point that not only does the steering wheel barely feel "luke warm" but even that amount of warmth appears to sometimes vanish after about 20 minutes of driving, to the point where there's ZERO warmth generated at all! This isn't my first rodeo with heated wheels. I've had heated wheels in the last 5 cars I've owned and by far this is the weakest and worst of all. I wonder if X3 owners are aware that BMW uses 2 different steering wheels, or at lest they did in 2020-2021, and perhaps still do. One is noticeably "thicker" than the other. It's the "thinner" leather wheel that seems to suffer from weak heating. That might explain why some owners have no idea what I'm talking about and comment their wheel is "perfect" or even "too hot". Perhaps they have the thicker leather wheel and don't know there is a thinner version. The problem seems to be confined to the "thinner" of the 2 steering wheel styles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2022, 10:47 AM	#54
EWL5 Major 898 Rep 1,207 Posts Drives: 2023 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: NE USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i [10.00]	It's been below freezing the last couple of evenings and my heated steering wheel has been fine. I must have the thicker wheel in my '23 model.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2022, 11:28 AM	#56
misterdom First Lieutenant 332 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i AW/TacRed Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: USA, North Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW X5 sdrive 40i [0.00] 2022 X3 M40i [9.50]	It is lukewarm. My 2017 G30 is much hotter and I have to turn it off after 10 minutes. On the X3 I leave it on for the full 45min commute. It works it’s just not as warm. __________________ 2017 530i (G30) - Mineral White 2022 X3 M40i - AW/ TacRed
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2022, 09:39 AM	#57
rob175 Major 694 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I guess the best way to describe it is that it's "heat" just barely manages to take the CHILL out of the wheel but nothing more than that. Positioning the heating vents to blow in the direction of the steering wheel actually does a better job of warming the leather wrap. It's the really only "disappointment" I have with the car....So I guess that's not too bad.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2022, 09:54 AM	#58
BEAR-AvHistory 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convt 3129 Rep 5,264 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convrt Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC - OIB, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 COBRA (FFR rep ... [8.57] 2023 Jeep Wrangler ... [9.50] 2009 Yamaha V-Star [0.00] Cars 2-BMW, 2-FORD, ... [0.00] 2023 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2020 Z4 M40i [10.00] 2022 BMW M4C [7.25] 1998 FORD Ranger 4X4 [0.00]	Just to add two other cars to the mix. Thick wheels. I shut the wheel heat off in about 10 minutes in both as the wheel feels hot. Takes a while to cool. Do any of you use the remote start & have settings for the wheel & seats? Have mine set to heat if outside is under 40*F. Never looked at the wheel settings but the seat temperatures can be coded as to what temperatures the three range buttons will produce. Might there also be a coding heat range for the wheel? __________________ Kevin Dravit Gray, Black Leather, Moonlight Roof, Red Calipers 2022 M4C - 2020 Z4 M40i - 2023 FORD Expedition XLT Max 4X4 400BHP - 2009 V-Star - 1998 Ranger 4X4 5MT - 1965 Cobra (R) 5MT - 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2022, 07:59 PM	#59
jmcbmw Private First Class 36 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 X-drive 30i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	yes , it’s awful and i’ve come from several prior BMWs ( including X3) and my 2022 is weak AF and would be nice to have an indicator light
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2022, 07:35 AM	#60
rob175 Major 694 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	It's not code-able, the heat is what it is (or isn't). And yes, it would be nice to have a light that indicates if the wheel heat is on instead of needing to press the button and read the message on the instrument panel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote