Heated Steering Wheel

[MarkR]

I know that the interior climate can be pre-conditioned, which would obviate the true need for a heated steering wheel, but it would be a nice feature here in the (usually) cold Chicago winters.

Has anyone noticed a switch for a refrigerated steering wheel on any of the Betas? When it's 117 degrees in the shade (and no shade in sight), the LAST thing I need is a heated steering wheel - I could easily do without the heated seats too!

Funny that no one has suggested "refrigerated tush control."

[DrComputer]

Funny that no one has suggested "refrigerated tush control."

Oh, I have made my dissatisfaction known to Tesla employees that they car does not have cooled seats. The only consolation it that you can cool the car remotely thereby reducing the need for cooled seats (and steering wheel).

[dsm363]

Oh, I have made my dissatisfaction known to Tesla employees that they car does not have cooled seats. The only consolation it that you can cool the car remotely thereby reducing the need for cooled seats (and steering wheel).

I think this will make a huge difference. I've never owned a car that I can remotely heat or cool so don't know how much of a difference it will make in the summer though. Will definitely be better than stepping into a hot car I think.

[gjunky]

Cooled seats have been asked for before, and if I remember correctly, the response from Tesla was that it would not be in this model version (so perhaps in the future?). I asked for this at the October Event also.

Cooling your car remotely won't help the steering wheel problem as it heats up through direct sun light and unless you happen to have the vents pointed directly at them, it will still get hot. I really depends on the material of the steering wheel though. The steering wheel in my VW gets warm but never really too hot to handle.

@MarkR: I use my heated seats all the time here in Scottsdale in the winter. I like it better than having the warm air blowing on you.

[strider]

Cooling your car remotely won't help the steering wheel problem as it heats up through direct sun light and unless you happen to have the vents pointed directly at them, it will still get hot. I really depends on the material of the steering wheel though. The steering wheel in my VW gets warm but never really too hot to handle.

If they're using the SolarGuard windshield like in the Roadster this will not be a problem. I can leave my car sitting in the sun all day and steering wheel gets warm but not hot. And cooling the car will help cool the steering wheel, but with the sun shining on it won't be 70F but it won't be 100F either.

[dsm363]

I would think with solar guard and the cabin temp at 70 degrees for ten minutes the steering wheel should at least be comfortable enough to touch.

[100thMonkey]

before owning an EV I would have said a heated steering wheel was a ridiculous luxury for those with money to burn. this winter with the Leaf it became clear that heating an EV is a whole other kettle of fish compared to an ICE. the resistive heater in the Leaf can consume half the cars range in cold whether if not used very judiciously. Even with the prewarming function, it was still a challenge to do trips in the winter time that I easily did in the summer. Toward the end of this last winter I traded up from the 2011 Leaf to the 2012 with cold whether package. turns out heated seats and steering wheel are a must for EV's! the larger battery in the S is only going to mean i will want to push the limits of range further with more freedom. I am sure that there will be times where I will need to turn down the heater to extend the range. In the Leaf, you can turn off the climate control, which can use up to 4.5 kw and turn on the heated seats and steering wheel and only use a few hundred watts. the direct transfer of heat from the seats and steering wheel to the body is much more efficient it was really eye opening... and heating the hands appears to warm the body surprisingly well.

I was told last week that the leather option of the S would come with heated seats but there was no word on having a heated steering wheel option. I honestly have a hard time imagining that the heater in the S is so much more efficient and the battery so much larger that I would not still want to conserve range at least some of the time by using the heated seats and steering wheel instead of relying as much on the cabin heater. I hope the S comes with a heated seat/steering wheel option, they can make a huge difference in comfort!

[smorgasbord]

In Roadster manual, they recommend using the heated seats instead of heating the cabin. I imagine that a heated steering wheel consumes even less electricity than heated seats.

It's a major bummer it's not included on Model S, because the Mercedes stalks and wheel they use already had that functionality built-in. Should have been almost a no-brainer to connect it up.

[MikeK]

I actually keep gloves in my glove compartment (amazing!) for driving in cool weather. I would be delighted to have a heated wheel.

[dsm363]

In Roadster manual, they recommend using the heated seats instead of heating the cabin. I imagine that a heated steering wheel consumes even less electricity than heated seats.

It's a major bummer it's not included on Model S, because the Mercedes stalks and wheel they use already had that functionality built-in. Should have been almost a no-brainer to connect it up.

If it's already there, is it possible it's something they didn't get around to and could add later with software or is it missing the physical connection?