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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Heated Steering Wheel Observation



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      02-04-2021, 11:48 PM   #1
Clammy
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Heated Steering Wheel Observation

Now that I've had the heated steering wheel retrofit installed for a few weeks, and have been using it in varying winter temperatures, from a few degrees above freezing to -20C, I'm loving it more and more.

I've noticed that the temperature of the steering wheel varies. When the interior air temp is very cold, the steering wheel gets very hot, and when the interior temp is warmer, the steering wheel heats less.

So, it varies with the interior temperature, which makes me believe it must be tied into the climate control module. I almost always have the climate control set to "auto".

Am I correct in that thinking?

Cheers!
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      02-05-2021, 08:37 AM   #2
relative4
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I didn't know that was a thing! My wife would give me so much head if I did that. Can you please provide details? Her car is a 2007 E90 335xi auto.

Edit: I found the DIY thread. Got my work cut out for me.
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      02-05-2021, 08:56 AM   #3
John 070
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I clearly remember having a 328i E92 loaner, not sure what year. The car actively turned off the heated wheel when some condition was met, maybe that's what you're experiencing....at the time I jumped on the forum and they updated software to stop that from happening
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      02-05-2021, 12:00 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John 070 View Post
I clearly remember having a 328i E92 loaner, not sure what year. The car actively turned off the heated wheel when some condition was met, maybe that's what you're experiencing....at the time I jumped on the forum and they updated software to stop that from happening
It never shuts off completely (unless I press the button on the column), but the heating in the steering wheel definitely varies, and it seems to follow the interior temperature. I was just wondering if that's a design feature that I hadn't heard of.

Regardless, I like the way it does that. When the cabin is warm, the steering wheel doesn't burn my hands, and when it's cold, it warms them up fast.

Hmmm... I think I'm going to bring my infra-red temp gun with me on a drive, and take some measurements.

Cheers!
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      02-05-2021, 12:03 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
I didn't know that was a thing! My wife would give me so much head if I did that. Can you please provide details? Her car is a 2007 E90 335xi auto.

Edit: I found the DIY thread. Got my work cut out for me.
The retro-fit really isn't that difficult. The only "complex" part is building the wiring harness, but using the DIY guide and wiring diagram, it's pretty easy, too. Just make sure you use a heavy gauge wire for the power pin.

Once I had all the parts and the harness built, it took me an hour to install, taking my time.

You will need to reset/calibrate the steering angle sensor after the install is complete.

Cheers!
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      02-05-2021, 12:41 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
My wife would give me so much head if I did that.
This is sig worthy
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      02-05-2021, 01:14 PM   #7
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Not showing up in my previous posts but I've now added it
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Quote:
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My wife would give me so much head if I did that.
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      02-05-2021, 03:49 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dino GT View Post
Yes the temperature of the steering changes with the interior temperature, but the steering wheel heat never turns off until you hit the button to turn it off. I can even turn mine on in the summer time, my cars already came with heated steering wheels from the factory, but a retrofit should work the same.
I confirmed it today. Went for a good long drive, and brought my infra-red thermometer. It wasn't too cold today - hovering around 0C (32F).

I started the car, and hit the steering heater button, heated seats on full, and rear defrost, and then de-snowed her. I was ready to leave in about 10 minutes.

When I got in the car, the air coming from the vents was still cold, but the seats and steering wheel were nice and toasty. I took a temp measurement where the steering wheel meets the center portion on the left side. It measured in the mid/high-90s F. It wasn't as hot as I've felt it when it's -20 outside, but it was hot. I took measurements as I was driving, and over time, as the cabin temperature increased, the temperature at that spot dropped to the low 80s F. t never went below 80F with the heating button lit, and it never shut itself off.

At one point, while driving, I switched the steering wheel heat off, and waited for the steering wheel to cool down, and I got a measurement in the low 70s F, so it wasn't cycling on/off, the temperature was adjusting to the interior temperature. What an awesome design! I love this even more, now!

Cheers!
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      02-12-2021, 09:18 AM   #9
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A little follow up:

Yesterday I went for a drive, and it was cold (-15C). The steering wheel got nice and toasty, and I measured temps above 100 F, and as before as the cabin heated up, the steering heated less.

I LOVE this retrofit!

Cheers!
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