Steering wheel covers do more than improve the look of your car. They provide safety and comfort during the many hours you spend behind the wheel. Whether you want a sporty look or a soft and fuzzy feel, there’s a steering wheel cover that will meet your needs.
We’re here to cover the most important safety and style features of steering wheel covers. To take the guesswork out of your next steering wheel cover purchase, we’ve reviewed and ranked the top steering wheel covers on the market.
How to Choose the Best Steering Wheel Cover
When trying to choose the best steering wheel cover for you, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. Size is crucial to ensure it fits, and material, style and texture are other core considerations.
Size
We want to talk about size first because it’s the most important feature. Steering wheel covers are meant to have a snug fit.
Most steering wheel covers come in one to three sizes: 14 to 14.25 inches, 14.5 to 15 inches, and 15.5 to 16 inches. Some steering wheel cover options offer all three sizes, while others will only come in one size (usually spanning 15 inches). If you have a slightly smaller or larger steering wheel, be sure to check out steering wheel covers that list multiple size options.
Material
Steering wheel covers are made from several types of materials. Let’s look at the most common materials used to make steering wheel covers and each of their benefits:
- Microfiber leather – inexpensive and great for softness, comfort, and style
- Genuine leather – unmatched durability and premium feel
- Viscose – a sturdy synthetic material that’s great for grip
- Cloth – natural fibers that provide comfort with style
- Sheepskin wool – soft and fuzzy for warmth in cold weather climates
For more information about each material and relevant steering wheel covers, please refer to our full buyer’s guide.
Style
Are you trying to refresh a beat-up steering wheel with a standard neutral look? Or are you enhancing the look of your car by going sporty or fashionable?
Steering wheel covers come in many styles and colors. For a sporty look, go with a sleek leather or microfiber leather cover. If your goal is to stand out in the crowd, select a cover with bright colors and patterns–or even add a little rhinestone bling. Check out more style suggestions in our full buyer’s guide
Texture
Textures you might come across include smooth, studded for grip, thick, soft, and fuzzy. The texture of your steering wheel cover will depend a lot on the material used to make the cover.
Steering wheel covers with a smooth surface tend to contain unadorned microfibers and genuine leather. In contrast, covers intended to increase grip with added texture typically use studded microfibers, decorative materials such as rhinestones, woven Viscose, and cloth. For a super soft and fuzzy texture, look for sheepskin steering wheel covers.
Taking into consideration the safety and style of steering wheel covers, we’ve ranked the top ten steering wheel covers on the market for your review.
Top 10 Best Steering Wheel Covers 2020
1. Best Overall Steering Wheel Cover: SEG Direct
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14 to 16 inches
- Material: Microfiber leather
- Style: One style with six available colors
- Texture: Soft leather texture
The SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover takes advantage of the softness and breathability of microfiber while providing the sleek look and feel of black leather. This option comes in as our overall favorite for its high-end aesthetic, soft feel, microfiber heat resistance, and very low cost.
We appreciate the pops of color this steering wheel adds to the overall look of the car’s interior. You can choose from an assortment of neutral color options, including blue, gray, red, white, and beige. Each color is distinct and well placed along three sections of the steering wheel cover. For a more traditional look, you can stick with solid black.
On the safety side of things, we like that this steering wheel cover comes in three size options. By having three sizes available, you can make sure you have the right fit for your car. The SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover is available in standard size (14.5 to 15 inches), small size (14 to 14.25 inches), and large size (15.5 to 16 inches).
We found a lot to like about this steering wheel cover, but we also came across a couple of downsides. The microfiber leather is slightly difficult to install, requiring a bit of effort to stretch the material fully around the wheel. Once in place, though, the cover stays put and won’t slide around while in use. The microfiber leather also lacks the premium durability of real leather, like this product has. It might look like leather, but wear and tear becomes apparent with frequent use.
Overall, the SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover is a great option if you want an economical way to enhance the look of your car while adding grip, softness, and temperature control to your steering wheel.
Pros
- Multiple sizes available
- Multiple neutral color options
- Particularly soft to the touch
- Skid-resistant after installation
Cons
- Slightly difficult to install
- Lacks the premium durability of real leather
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14 to 16 inches
- Material: Genuine leather
- Style: Coffee or Black leather with four color options
- Texture: Soft and thick
While ValleyComfy makes many steering wheel covers, this choice made from genuine leather is one of our top choices. This steering wheel cover is what you want if you are seeking the premium quality of genuine leather.
Like many of our top choices, the ValleyComfy comes in multiple size options, making it likely that you’ll find one that fits your particular car. Having more size choices is ideal since you’re more likely to end up with a steering wheel cover that more closely matches your steering wheel size.
Products made from genuine leather have advantages aside from being made from natural materials. One of these advantages is durability, making this steering wheel cover likely to last much longer than its synthetic counterparts. Another important element is that the soft, giving nature of genuine leather permits a confident grip. This translates to enhanced comfort and safety.
Multiple color options are available, including one with the genuine leather in a separate coffee tone. While we’re partial to the black, having options that match your car is nice. Only four color options put this steering wheel cover on the low end of aesthetic choices.
Installing this cover can be difficult. A downside of genuine leather is that it can have less give than synthetic steering wheel covers. So if the cover doesn’t go on right away, you might want to look into a heating option for stretching it out before resorting to a crowbar.
It does add thickness. If your base steering wheel is on the thinner side, this is great as it will enhance comfort. If your steering wheel is already on the thicker end, this may make it too bulky. That can be uncomfortable to hold at best, and a safety hazard at worst. Next time you’re holding your steering wheel in your hands, think about what it would feel like if it was somewhat thicker, then decide from there.
Overall, this ValleyComfy Steering Wheel cover is our top choice that’s made from genuine leather. If you can deal with the one-off installation issues and your steering wheel is not on the thick side, then this is definitely a recommendation. Make sure to check if the available colors work in your car too before settling on this one.
Pros
- Multiple sizes available
- Genuine leather is durable
- Multiple color options, including two tones of leather
- Leather permits superior grip, making it easy to hold
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Can be bulky if underlying steering wheel is thick
3. Best Budget Steering Wheel Cover: Valleycomfy Microfiber Leather
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14 to 16 inches
- Material: Microfiber leather
- Style: 2 styles with 4 colors each
- Texture: Smooth or with textured grip
Like several other steering wheel covers in our list, The Valleycomfy Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover uses microfiber materials to give the impression of a leather cover. This cover stands out in its textured design option that provides extra grip to the steering wheel. For those who don’t want the added texture while driving, you can select a smooth surface.
While this option provides some added softness and heat resistance to your wheel, it isn’t as soft and comfortable as some of our other options, such as the SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover. Some of the style choices also contain a sparkly strip of material that’s similar in texture to a nail file at the base of the cover, which you might find scratchy.
For color options, this Valleycomfy Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover sticks to neutral browns, reds, and grays for the smooth texture, with a more colorful pallet of blue, red, pink, and black for the textured options. The colors are not overwhelming and take up about 50 percent of the steering wheel cover surface. Overall, we were pleased with the selection of styles and colors.
There are three sizes available for this steering wheel cover: standard size (14.5 to 15 inches), small size (14 to 14.25 inches), and large size (15.5 to 16 inches). This allows for a proper fit on most vehicles. Unfortunately, this steering wheel cover was harder to install than others on our list. You’ll likely need to heat the cover in some way to increase pliability.
Overall, the Valleycomfy Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover is a great option for drivers who want extra grip on the wheel and a classic style at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Multiple sizes offered
- Multiple style and color options
- Textured style option provides increased grip
Cons
- Not as soft as other microfiber covers
- Slightly difficult to install
4. Most Fashionable: Diamond Leather with Crystal Rhinestones
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14.5 to 15 inches
- Material: Microfiber leather
- Style: 8 colors with 2 rhinestone options
- Texture: Rhinestone studded
The New Diamond Leather Steering Wheel Cover with Bling Bling Crystal Rhinestones is a fast and affordable way to add some bling to your car. The rhinestone-studded surface not only looks good, but also feels great in your hand. As an added bonus, the rhinestones make your steering wheel easy to hold, a definite safety bonus.
Made from microfiber leather, this cover will remain easy to clean and won’t dry out like leather. Of course, this only applies to the parts of the cover not covered in rhinestones, which make up a significant portion of the cover. In the areas covered rhinestone-to-rhinestone cleaning can be more difficult.
While microfiber leather has its advantages, durability isn’t one of them. So treat this cover gently if you want it to last longer. Also, some of the rhinestones can pop out during installation. You may want to keep an eye out for this if you have a strong grip, and keep a tube of superglue handy.
The cover comes in eight different colors so it’s sure to match your car. You also can choose if the embedded rhinestones are white or colorful. Overall, we are really impressed by the style choices available with this cover.
Installation is as straight-forward as these covers get. Depending on your steering wheel, you may need to apply a little more elbow grease than you expect. Just be careful with the rhinestones as you stretch it over. Also, measure your steering wheel carefully. This cover only comes in one size, so you want to make sure your steering wheel is 14.5 to 15 inches in diameter.
Overall, the Diamond Leather Steering Wheel Cover with Bling Bling Crystal Rhinestones is a great cover that will quickly re-style the inside of your car. Just make sure you know the size of your steering wheel and be a little gentle installing the cover.
Pros
- Easy to clean microfiber leather
- Multiple color options
- Studded surface massages hands
- Easy to hold
Cons
- Only one size available
- Slightly difficult to install
- Lacks the premium durability of real leather
5. Most Color Options: Valleycomfy Genuine Leather Cover
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14 to 16 inches
- Material: Genuine leather
- Style: Three solid colors or eight color options
- Texture: Soft and thick
Valleycomfy makes some great steering wheel covers, and this genuine leather option is definitely worth your consideration. Like their other leather option, you’ll get the durability that only genuine leather can provide.
This genuine leather steering wheel cover has a soft and pliable feel, providing for a comfortable and secure grip on your steering wheel. Unfortunately, this can also add a bit of heft to your steering wheel. This is a great thing if your steering wheel is thin to start with, but can be too much for comfort and safety if your hands are already close to what they can hold with your base steering wheel.
This Valleycomfy Genuine Leather Steering Wheel Cover comes in a variety of colors. You can choose from three different solid base colors, including black, coffee or gray. If the standard black works for you, then there are eight stitching color options available.
In addition to colors, this steering wheel cover comes in three different sizes. This is important as you want to choose a steering wheel cover that closely matches the size of your steering wheel.
This Valleycomfy genuine leather cover doesn’t come with any instructions. And that’s a problem, because genuine leather can be difficult to stretch, making installation difficult. Make sure to check out our installation guide for helpful tips.
Overall, this steering wheel cover is a great option when you want genuine leather and a lot of color options. As always, make sure you check out the different styles available to make sure you find one that matches your own car and personal style.
Pros
- Durability of heavy-duty genuine leather
- Many color options, including base and trim
- Soft and pliable leather is comfortable and easy to hold
- Multiple sizes available
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Doesn’t come with any instructions
- Heft of leather can add too much thickness
6. BOKIN Microfiber Leather and Viscose Cover
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 15 inches
- Material: Microfiber leather and Viscose
- Style: Base black in two styles with eight color options
- Texture: Smooth microfiber leather with woven Viscose grips
The Bokin Microfiber leather and viscose steering wheel cover has an open weave viscose grip, making for an exceptionally breathable hold. In addition, the raised pattern on the viscose overlay affords a confident hold that won’t slip, an important safety feature. You should note that the deep ridges in this relief can also serve as a place for dirt and grime to accumulate.
This steering wheel cover comes in only one size: 15 inches. If that’s what your steering wheel measures, then you’re set. If not, we really recommend you look at other microfiber options with multiple sizes that might fit better, such as the Valleycomfy Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover.
With eight different color options and two completely different styles, it’s likely you’ll find a good match for your car interior. Remember that you don’t necessarily have to match the existing colors of your cars, it can be just as aesthetically effective to choose a complementary color that can act as a highlight. Many of the bright colors available as options with this steering wheel cover are likely to work as highlights to the colors found in most cars.
While the Bokin leather and viscose steering wheel cover can stretch a bit more than a genuine leather cover, it can still be difficult. The added thickness of the woven rayon grips can make pulling the cover on somewhat difficult. Consider using a heating method on the microfiber leather to help stretch it out before installation.
Overall, you should definitely consider the Bokin leather and viscose steering wheel cover if you have a specific color you want. Also, if grip comfort and breathability is a factor you care about, then definitely take a look at the woven viscose grips here. While not the same secure grip of a perfectly tacky genuine leather, the raised woven pattern provides for a secure, and ultimately safe, experience.
Pros
- Combines the benefits of both microfiber and Viscose
- Many different color options and a couple of styles
- Pattern made from Viscose maximizes grip strength
Cons
- Only one size available
- Can be difficult to install due to the woven viscose grips
- Deep-patterned grip can allow dirt to accumulate
7. Elantrip Sport Leather
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14.5 to 16 inches
- Material: Microfiber leather
- Style: Base style with six color options
- Texture: Perforated microfiber leather with added stitching
The Elantrip Sport Leather Steering Wheel Cover uses a perforated microfiber leather material to improve the grip and breathability of your steering wheel. The perforations stand out in this option, as other microfiber steering wheel covers we review are smooth or textured.
The design of this cover adds softness and comfort to the wheel, but not so much that it becomes squishy or too large to hold. Unfortunately, the design also seems to make it less heat resistant than other options. If you live in a hot climate, we recommend looking into the SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover, which has excellent heat resistance.
Our favorite aspect of the Elantrip Sport Leather Steering Wheel Cover is its aesthetic appeal. We like how it gives your car’s dashboard a sporty look, with elegant color options and stitching highlights. As much as we love the stitching highlights, though, they do lead to a major downside. This cover can’t compete with the durability of our other microfiber options or genuine leather. The stitching isn’t as resilient as the microfiber material and will show wear and tear sooner than covers without sporty threading.
While the Elantrip Sport Leather Steering Wheel Cover does come in two sizes, 14.5 to 15 inches and 15.5 to 16 inches, it tends to run large. Once installed, the cover might move around the wheel slowly with use. On the flip side, this cover is incredibly easy to install!
The Elantrip Sport Leather Steering Wheel Cover is a great option for anyone who wants to add a sporty look to their car. When new, the stitching is even, symmetrical, and looks very nice on the steering wheel. If you drive your car a lot though, you may want to look for a cover with a little more durability. Overall, this is a good value for your money if you are going for enhanced aesthetic appeal.
Pros
- Very easy to install
- Looks nice with even and symmetrical stitching
- Multiple classic color options
Cons
- Cover tends to run loose on the wheel
- Threading can show wear and tear
- Not as heat resistant as other options
8. Best for Bohemian Chic: Valleycomfy Boho with Cloth
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14.5 to 15.5 inches
- Material: Cloth
- Style: One multicolored pattern
- Texture: Soft and thick
If you’re into recreating the bohemian look in your car’s interior, then this is the steering wheel cover for you. And if you’re not into that look, then look elsewhere, because there is just one style here.
Just like there is one style, the Valleycomfy Boho Steering Wheel Cover comes in one size: 15 inches. While it’s advertised to fit steering wheels ranging from 14.5 to 15.5 inches, you’ll be hard-pressed to get this cover on anything over 15 inches. Even at 15 inches, this steering wheel cover is very difficult to install. Definitely read through our installation guide for some helpful tips. While you’ll likely get a workout installing this cover, just remember it only has to be done once.
The woven cloth surface is definitely unique not just in style, but texture. This steering wheel cover has a woven cloth surface that gives to the touch. This provides not only a unique aesthetic for your car, but also affords excellent comfort in steering. Unfortunately, this comes with a serious drawback: cleanliness. The small nooks and crannies in this cover will accumulate dirt and grime over time. It’s unavoidable and you should know it going in. Just come up with a cleaning protocol that makes you happy, and you’ll be set.
Overall, you’ll probably know if the Valleycomfy Boho Steering Wheel Cover with Cloth is for you a few seconds after looking at it. And if it’s the look you’re after, then you’ll likely figure out how to put it on and keep it clean.
Pros
- An absolutely unique look
- Woven cloth surface is comfortable to grip
- Easy to hold
Cons
- Only one size and style available
- Very difficult to install
- The woven cloth is sure to catch dirt and grime, making this cover hard to clean
9. Most Breathable: Alusbell Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14.5 to 15 inches
- Material: Microfiber leather
- Style: Four colors
- Texture: Stitched breathable grip
The Alusbell Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover has some limitations, but the stitched breathable grip may make up for its shortcomings.
Most of the steering wheel cover is made of microfiber leather, which makes cleanup a breeze. However, the grip area is a stitched open weave pattern, making it the ultimate for breathability and ensuring you maintain a secure grip on your steering wheel.
Both the microfiber leather and woven grip have big advantages, but you’re missing out on the durability of a genuine leather product. Keep in mind that you may have to replace this steering wheel cover a few years earlier than a genuine leather product.
One of the benefits of the stitched breathable grip area is that it makes installation significantly less challenging. One of the downsides of the ease of install is that you lose the safety factor of having a snug steering wheel cover. Alusbell used a natural rubber inner in order to provide a better grip of the cover to the wheel.
You’ll definitely want to feel the fit of this after you install to make sure you are comfortable with the ability of the cover to hold onto your wheel. A potential downside to natural rubber is odor. While the odor may have already outgassed before you get this steering wheel cover, it’s possible this natural odor will be present for some time. If you can handle the smell, feel confident it will eventually dissipate.
Like a few other steering wheel covers we reviewed, the Alusbell Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover only comes in one size. So, measure carefully. With only four colors available, you may have to consider choosing a complementary color if the color of your choice isn’t available. You can also consider our Valleycomfy Genuine Leather Steering Wheel Cover as it has many more color options available.
Overall, the Alusbell Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover is a great choice if you prioritize having a comfortable breathable grip and don’t want to deal with a potentially complicated installation.
Pros
- Easy to clean microfiber leather
- Breathable grip surface
- Easy to hold
- Easy to install
Cons
- Only one size available
- Limited colors available
- Lacks the premium durability of real leather
10. Best Woolen: ANDALUS Pure Australia Sheepskin Wool
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 14.5 to 16 inches
- Material: Australia sheepskin wool
- Style: One fuzzy wool style in fifteen colors
- Texture: Thick fuzzy wool
The ANDALUS Pure Australia Sheepskin Wool Steering Wheel Cover is undoubtedly the softest steering wheel cover on our list. It’s made out of authentic pure Australia Sheepskin Wool, which adds a warm, luxurious feel to your drive. It’s so soft that you might question if it’s real wool, but the underlying leather and irregularities in the wool indicate it’s the real deal. If you want to avoid synthetic materials, this steering wheel is a great, affordable option.
The fun look and increased warmth in cold weather do come at a cost. The softness of the material means you’ll need to apply extra pressure to the steering wheel to obtain a firm grip. For some, this might lead to mild hand fatigue at best or dangerous driving conditions at worst. If you prefer to provide a light touch to the wheel, you might want to consider steering wheels with added texture for grip, such as the Valleycomfy Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover.
If you prefer to stick with the fluffy fibers of sheepskin wool over a synthetic microfiber material, the good news is that wheel cover install is a breeze. The elasticity in the ANDALUS Pure Australia Sheepskin Wool Steering Wheel Cover allows for easy wrapping of the steering wheel without much fuss. During install, a few of the wool fibers may shed. Don’t worry though. The initial shedding doesn’t persist, and subsequent shedding doesn’t seem to be a problem.
Unfortunately, only one size is available for this sheepskin wool steering wheel cover, with a range of 14.5 to 16 inches. If you have a smaller wheel, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Check out the SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover, which has a small size for steering wheels less than 14.5 inches.
This steering wheel cover isn’t going to be for everyone, especially those looking for a sporty look. It’s going to give your steering wheel an ultra-soft, fluffy look and feel. But if that’s your goal, we recommend you give this ANDALUS Pure Australia Sheepskin Wool Steering Wheel Cover a shot!
Pros
- Softest cover in our list
- Keeps hands toasty warm in cold weather
- Easy to install
Cons
- Fluffy design requires a stronger grip on the wheel
- Sheds a little during install
- Only one size available
Guide to Buying a Steering Wheel Cover
If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’ve already decided to buy a steering wheel cover, and there are many good reasons to do so. Even though a steering wheel cover looks simple, there are many factors that need to be considered to find the right steering wheel cover for you.
Keep reading here for tips and advice on why you might need a steering wheel cover, how it affects your safety, and how to be smart about choosing a steering wheel cover.
The Value of a Steering Wheel Cover
There are four main reasons to buy and use a steering wheel cover.
Damage to Existing Steering Wheel
There are a few spots on your car that get touched every time the car is driven, and your steering wheel is one of them. All of that contact leads to quicker wear-and-tear.
On a steering wheel, this can manifest as the surface of your steering wheel breaking off or degrading. Another way this can happen is just being exposed to extreme environments. So leaving your car parked out in the sun, or living in a desert, can make your steering wheel degrade much more quickly.
Since replacing the entire steering wheel can be a costly and labor-intensive process, simply putting a cover on it can be an easy way to address the damage.
Existing Steering Wheel is Not Comfortable
Another great reason to get a steering wheel cover is that you are unhappy with your car’s existing steering wheel. Some cars, especially older cars, have large and thin steering wheels. These can get uncomfortable to hold onto during longer drives. A steering wheel cover can address this concern by making the surface of your steering wheel more comfortable through the use of different materials, like genuine leather or a soft, pliable cloth.
Existing Steering Wheel is Not Safe
Some steering wheels can also have a slick surface, posing a safety concern if your hand happens to slip while steering. Steering wheel covers typically directly address this issue by having a dedicated gripping surface. These can range from relying on the natural tackiness of genuine leather to textured plastic surfaces meant to provide a secure place to grip.
Renew the Interior of Your Car
The aesthetic of your car shouldn’t be a factor that’s overshadowed by safety. You may have decked out the rest of your car in bling and want the steering wheel to match, or you just want your steering wheel to stand out. Either way, a steering wheel cover can easily transform the center of your console into whatever you want your car to look like.
The Safety of a Steering Wheel Cover
As mentioned above, a steering wheel cover can transform an unwieldy or slippery steering wheel into an elegant, comfortable and easily controllable surface. But you have to do your due diligence, or a cover could decrease your safety just as easily.
There are three main safety concerns to look out for, namely fit, handling, and unobtrusiveness.
Your Steering Wheel Cover Needs to Fit
Steering wheels come in a range of sizes. So do steering wheel covers. If you don’t carefully measure your steering wheel, you may buy a cover that doesn’t fit, and that’s bad if it’s too small or big.
If your cover is too small, you just won’t be able to get it on. This situation isn’t great, but it’s not a safety concern. It’s a whole different story if you buy a cover that is too large. A loose-fitting cover can allow the underlying steering wheel to turn independently of the cover. What this means is your car might continue barreling forward even when you clearly turn the wheel.
Your Steering Wheel Should Not be Unwieldy to Handle
A steering wheel cover has some thickness to it. In the case of some covers, especially those made from genuine leather, the thickness can be substantial. If you have a thin steering wheel and are using the cover to bulk it up so it’s more comfortable to handle, then this is just what you want.
However, if your steering wheel is already on the thicker side, putting a cover on it may make it too thick to handle well. A steering wheel that requires you to use too large of a grip can not only feel uncomfortable, but can also compromise your ability to steer.
So the easy way to address this is to grip your existing steering wheel. If it feels like your grip could handle some more thickness, then proceed. If you feel like you’re already pushing what you can hold comfortably, then either re-think your plan to get a cover, or choose a cover that is on the thinner side.
Your Steering Wheel Should Not be Obtrusive
Finally, some steering wheels can be downright dangerous based on their ability to tangle onto things. For example, a cover with heavily textured cloth grips could easily catch onto a piece of jewelry, like a bracelet, ring or watch.
One easy way to address this is to just think if you typically wear anything that is likely to catch onto a non-smooth surface. If you tend to accessorize, then either consider how much you really need a fuzzy steering wheel (knowing that you’ll have to de-accessorize every time you drive) or just choose a slick surface cover.
Do Steering Wheel Covers Ruin Your Steering Wheel?
One concern that comes up frequently is that installing a steering wheel cover can actually damage your steering wheel. On the face of it, this isn’t true. You are mostly placing a rubber, plastic or leather surface up against your existing steering wheel. This leaves little room for damage. Instead, damage can happen during installation. Many of the steering wheel covers here are a tight fit (and for good reason). Many people resort to using brute force techniques that involve sharp-sided tools.
If you’re covering up a damaged steering wheel, feel free to pry on a cover. If you want to leave your steering wheel looking pristine, just be careful during installation. It may take a bit more arm muscle, but you can certainly get a cover on without scratching your original steering wheel.
Selecting a Steering Wheel Cover
Once you’ve decided to get a steering wheel cover, there are several factors you need to keep in mind as you select your steering wheel cover.
Steering Wheel Covers are Not One-Size-Fits-All (or Universal)
Some steering wheels are advertised as one-size-fits-all or universal. Do not fall for this hype. If a steering wheel cover doesn’t state a range of sizes it fits, it’s probably best to pass on it. Every steering wheel cover in our list has a tightly defined range of sizes for this reason.
You need to measure your steering wheel and compare it to the range of sizes that the cover will work for. If the cover is too small, good luck getting it on. You’ll return your purchase before you’ve had a chance to try it out! If the cover is too big, you’ll have a serious safety problem on your hands–literally. Oversized steering wheel covers can slide as you rotate the wheel. The cover will turn, but the car won’t.
Steering Wheel Material Matters
To help narrow down materials that might work for you, we’ve provided a quick explanation for each material we cover in our list, including the pros and cons of each option.
Microfiber Leather
Microfiber leather (also called polyurethane or PU leather) is inexpensive and ideal for heat resistance, anti-skid, softness, breathability, and style variability. Microfibers are a well-studied material and have comfort advantages which are worth considering.
However, microfibers lack the durability of natural materials, such as genuine leather. For a good microfiber steering wheel cover option, check out the SEG Direct Black Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover.
Genuine Leather
Genuine leathers are unmatched for durability and premium feel. But they tend to be expensive, and they fail to offer the same breadth of style and color options that synthetic materials provide.
If this is what you want, check out the Valleycomfy Steering Wheel Cover with Genuine Leather.
Viscose
Viscose (also known as rayon) is a sturdy synthetic material that can be woven together to provide increased grip on the steering wheel. This material can be found on the BOKIN Microfiber Leather and Viscose Steering Wheel Cover.
Cloth
Cloth steering wheel covers provide an affordable natural fiber option when you’re avoiding synthetic materials but don’t want to splurge on genuine leather. Cloth covers are amenable to many color and pattern options.
Check out the cloth cover on the Valleycomfy Boho Steering Wheel Cover with Cloth.
Sheepskin Wool
Sheepskin wool covers are for those who love the feel of a fluffy steering wheel. This is not a cover for those seeking a sleek, sporty look!
For example, have a look at the ANDALUS Pure Australia Sheepskin Wool Steering Wheel Cover.
Think About the Style
Look around a little and see if you can find a pattern that really stands out to you. This can range from an elegant and simple design to a neon and modern-looking cover.
If you’d like to stick with a neutral look, we recommend choosing an existing color in your car and looking for the closest color match you can.
If you want your interior to pop, consider selecting a complementary color to your car’s interior. Complementary colors can be determined using a simple color wheel. Additional accessories, such as floor mats, can complement the style and color pallet you choose.
Installing a Steering Wheel Cover
Once you have your steering wheel cover selected, you’ll have to get it on. If you’ve properly sized the cover to match your steering wheel, then you’re likely to have a small tug-of-war on your hands. Unfortunately, most steering wheel covers don’t ship with instructions manuals.
Luckily, we’ve created a small guide to installing steering wheel covers. Follow our handy tips and you should have your cover on in no time.
Installing a steering wheel cover can be a difficult process. Luckily, it’s something you usually only have to do once. So even if you get to a point where you are huffing and puffing, take solace that it’s a one-time effort you’re putting in.
Heating Up Your Steering Wheel Cover
Steering wheel covers are primarily made from synthetic and natural plastics or leather. One common feature all of these materials have is that they expand when they get warm. The idea here is to make the cover bigger than its normal state just temporarily while you are installing it. Please note that they don’t all do so to the same extent. A viscose cover will expand much more than a piece of genuine leather.
There are many ways to heat up a steering wheel cover. On the simple end of things, you can just leave your steering wheel cover out in your car on a sunny day. Wait until midday so it gets a few hours of heat, then try installing. If you live somewhere with a hot climate, this is likely to work.
Of course, you can get more involved. Pull out your hair dryer or heat gun, and you can start working on parts of your cover as you are installing it. Be careful though as these types of tools are capable of melting plastic or permanently disfiguring leather. If you want a more hands-off approach, you can put your steering wheel cover in the dryer (use gentle) or even an oven (start at low temperatures for short times and work up from there).
All of these heating methods come with inherent risks to destroying your new steering wheel cover. So be careful and don’t leave your project unattended.
Pulling Your Steering Wheel Cover On
You might think it’s obvious how to put a steering wheel cover on. Slip it over the top, work it over the sides, then push it down until it snaps into place. In general, that’s not a bad approach and will work. In fact, most people probably do exactly this. But you can do better.
It’s important to note that starting from the top is definitely the better way to go. If you start from the bottom (and you may be tempted to, depending on the pattern of your cover), you’ll end up having to pull up the top of the cover over the steering wheel. We’ll skip the physics lesson here, but you really want the leverage and the weight of your body pushing down on the hardest part.
Final Thoughts
With more and more steering wheel covers coming on the market, including all-new synthetic materials, it can be a confusing process to select a steering wheel cover that not only fits your car and style, but is safe and durable. We’re happy to steer you in the right direction. With the help of our guide and our list, we hope you have fun improving the safety, style, and comfort of your car.
Source: Tools - autoquarterly.com
