Buying an aftermarket steering wheel to suit your car is very much a matter of personal choice, and so you may choose a wood steering wheel, leather steering wheel, or maybe a combination of both depending upon your needs and desires.
If you live in a warm climate you might find that a wooden steering wheel becomes slippery with perspiration from your hands, and so may choose a leather steering wheel for comfort and grip. Similarly if you live somewhere cold and your desire is to install a wood steering wheel, then you may want to look at a heated steering wheel such as some models made by TRC – which are “activated by a switch which quickly heats the rim of the wheel to provide a pleasant level of warmth… and will not disturb the leather or wooden surfaces” (fernandez – TRC).
Buying a steering wheel to suit your car can be an aesthetic choice, and if choosing a wood steering wheel you will generally have a choice of timbers such as mahogany, ash, walnut, or rosewood, and a range of light to dark stains. Some wood steering wheels also feature rivets set around the wheel (such as the Grant dark stained mahogany wheel), and can also have leather covering the joins between the spokes and the wheel rim – also known as “spats”. Spats can improve the appearance of a wheel and also make it more comfortable for the driver to hold.
Replacing the standard steering wheel is a matter of personal taste and function combined, and so every driver will have their own requirements. If you choose carefully, your steering wheel will improve the appearance of your car, and may help to improve your driving.
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