heated steering wheel question

omaralt · 09-10-2014, 12:32 PM

so i know i live in FL, but i was excited about having a heated steering wheel as my fingers tend to get cold easily. so i've tested it out a few times (early in the morning when its in the low 70s) and it seems extremely weak. i had a previous E60 that would get very nice and toasty, but i havent had a modern BMW with a heated steering wheel. is that how they now work or is mine defective? i called the dealer and they want me to come in, but it's about 20 miles each way.. so i guess my question is how does your heated steering wheel work? does it heat up the whole wheel or just a the 3 and 9 o'clock areas?

alienranch · 09-10-2014, 12:40 PM

Mine heats the entire wheel, but the larger grips on the wheel get the warmest. I can feel the warmth within 20 seconds of turning it on, and although it's not hot, it definitely warms your wands.

Alan_NJ · 09-10-2014, 12:49 PM

Does it turn off the heating automatically?
Does it base it on the cabin temperature?

I had another car that worked that way and I hated it because it never got warm enough before it turned itself off and you couldnt turn it back on again if it was warm enough inside.

Hasnt been cold enough for me to test yet, or even think about it.

omaralt · 09-10-2014, 12:56 PM

no it doesnt turn off automatically. i actually turned it on and when i arrived home 20 mins later i realized the heater was still on (what a stupid place for that button btw). i didnt even realize it was on the whole way home, which confirms my suspicion that there is something wrong with mine. i'll take it in and update

floydarogers · 09-10-2014, 01:00 PM

I haven't experienced my wife's 328d heated wheel.
My E90 gets warm immediately, heats the whole wheel, and never turns off.

northern_435GC · 09-10-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omaralt

so i know i live in FL, but i was excited about having a heated steering wheel as my fingers tend to get cold easily. so i've tested it out a few times (early in the morning when its in the low 70s) and it seems extremely weak. i had a previous E60 that would get very nice and toasty, but i havent had a modern BMW with a heated steering wheel. is that how they now work or is mine defective? i called the dealer and they want me to come in, but it's about 20 miles each way.. so i guess my question is how does your heated steering wheel work? does it heat up the whole wheel or just a the 3 and 9 o'clock areas?

WOW, how different things are in Florida from Canada, low 70s is t-shirt and shorts weather, nevermind heated steering wheel.

Blubaron79 · 09-10-2014, 02:40 PM

It feels warmer when it's colder. If I turned mine on today in 75F heat I would barely feel it too.

snowghost · 09-10-2014, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northern_435GC

WOW, how different things are in Florida from Canada, low 70s is t-shirt and shorts weather, nevermind heated steering wheel.

50s was like that as a kid living in the Midwest.

34.50 · 09-10-2014, 05:34 PM

Why would you turn it on when it's in the low 70's? That calls for windows down or AC! :P

Anyways, mine works pretty well, and it's more noticeable on colder days. When I mean colder days, I mean <50 degrees F. I love the HSW - one of the best features ever.

omaralt · 09-12-2014, 05:03 PM

Just a quick update. Took it to the dealer. They looked for codes or something and it turned out the car was shutting down the heated steering wheel. First they thought it was because of a low battery. Nope. Battery at 90%. They "reset" all th modules. Still nothing. He then told me I'll have to come back for a full reprogram (can take up to 6 hrs). I'll drop it off Monday afternoon (didn't went to be in a loaner over the weekend). He's convinced there's nothing wrong with the actual wheel... I'm not so sure. Either way I'll update when we get a conclusion

ADM · 09-12-2014, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omaralt

Just a quick update. Took it to the dealer. They looked for codes or something and it turned out the car was shutting down the heated steering wheel. First they thought it was because of a low battery. Nope. Battery at 90%. They "reset" all th modules. Still nothing. He then told me I'll have to come back for a full reprogram (can take up to 6 hrs). I'll drop it off Monday afternoon (didn't went to be in a loaner over the weekend). He's convinced there's nothing wrong with the actual wheel... I'm not so sure. Either way I'll update when we get a conclusion

Interesting!!!!
Please keep us posted.
Thanks for starting this thread. Even though, I have the HSW & it is still 70+ where I am, it definitely provides feedback for the upcoming months.

Hope it is identified, and shared.

Brenzo · 09-12-2014, 06:37 PM

Do you have Msport steering wheel? It's a thicker wrap on the wheel so it's not as strong / takes longer to warm up (or at least longer for your hands to feel it)

omaralt · 09-18-2014, 02:18 PM

they just ordered a new steering wheel. they said it can take up to a month to get here so i'm gonna go pick up the car and take it back when the steering wheel gets here. i'll update when they install the new wheel

snowghost · 09-18-2014, 06:27 PM

Glad they diagnosed it. I'm glad I have the heated wheel and I live in L.A. Very nice on those cold mornings.

bahasad · 09-18-2014, 06:47 PM

lmao got to love Floridians.

Here in MI, when it's higher than mid 50s, I have the windows open or AC on.

omaralt · 09-19-2014, 06:12 AM

Just a PSA. They updated the software on my car and now it has an indicator in the dash to tell you when the heated steering wheel is turned on or off

TSquared · 01-06-2015, 07:34 PM

Hey Omaralt, I just saw your post re: the dash indicator for the heated steering wheel. My 2014 F32 Coupe (delivered March 2014) doesn't have it....do I need to go to the dealer for that SW update?

THANKS!

Fronzdan · 01-06-2015, 07:47 PM

I want that update too! Glad you got a new wheel...I figured that was it.

omaralt · 01-07-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSquared

Hey Omaralt, I just saw your post re: the dash indicator for the heated steering wheel. My 2014 F32 Coupe (delivered March 2014) doesn't have it....do I need to go to the dealer for that SW update?

THANKS!

i would assume so. however dont be surprised if they dont do the update for free. when i got the car initially it did not have the indicator but did after they updated the software. when i go out to my car during lunch i'll let you know what my current software version is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

I want that update too! Glad you got a new wheel...I figured that was it.

ya i was sure it was that as well, but they had to do a bunch of random crap first to make sure bmw pays for it.

09-10-2014, 12:32 PM	#1
omaralt Major 778 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 22 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	heated steering wheel question so i know i live in FL, but i was excited about having a heated steering wheel as my fingers tend to get cold easily. so i've tested it out a few times (early in the morning when its in the low 70s) and it seems extremely weak. i had a previous E60 that would get very nice and toasty, but i havent had a modern BMW with a heated steering wheel. is that how they now work or is mine defective? i called the dealer and they want me to come in, but it's about 20 miles each way.. so i guess my question is how does your heated steering wheel work? does it heat up the whole wheel or just a the 3 and 9 o'clock areas? __________________ 2018 M3 6 spd 2017 M3 AW/SO 6spd 2014 435i M sport BSM/Coral 6spd (retired) 2013 550i M sport Alpine White/Cinnamon (retired)
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09-10-2014, 12:40 PM	#2
alienranch First Lieutenant 19 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Mine heats the entire wheel, but the larger grips on the wheel get the warmest. I can feel the warmth within 20 seconds of turning it on, and although it's not hot, it definitely warms your wands.
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09-10-2014, 12:49 PM	#3
Alan_NJ Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2014 335xi MSport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335xi [0.00]	Does it turn off the heating automatically? Does it base it on the cabin temperature? I had another car that worked that way and I hated it because it never got warm enough before it turned itself off and you couldnt turn it back on again if it was warm enough inside. Hasnt been cold enough for me to test yet, or even think about it. __________________ 2014 335i xdrive MSport AW/CR, SAT, Prem, Tech, HK, DHP, MPPK, MPE, NWA, KMFDM, etc...
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09-10-2014, 12:56 PM	#4
omaralt Major 778 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 22 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	no it doesnt turn off automatically. i actually turned it on and when i arrived home 20 mins later i realized the heater was still on (what a stupid place for that button btw). i didnt even realize it was on the whole way home, which confirms my suspicion that there is something wrong with mine. i'll take it in and update __________________ 2018 M3 6 spd 2017 M3 AW/SO 6spd 2014 435i M sport BSM/Coral 6spd (retired) 2013 550i M sport Alpine White/Cinnamon (retired)
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09-10-2014, 01:00 PM	#5
floydarogers Curmudgeon and Pedant 690 Rep 3,489 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	I haven't experienced my wife's 328d heated wheel. My E90 gets warm immediately, heats the whole wheel, and never turns off.
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09-10-2014, 02:40 PM	#7
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1435 Rep 4,724 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	It feels warmer when it's colder. If I turned mine on today in 75F heat I would barely feel it too. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
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09-10-2014, 05:34 PM	#9
34.50 Lieutenant 38 Rep 596 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sport Line Join Date: May 2013 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	Why would you turn it on when it's in the low 70's? That calls for windows down or AC! :P Anyways, mine works pretty well, and it's more noticeable on colder days. When I mean colder days, I mean <50 degrees F. I love the HSW - one of the best features ever. __________________ 2013 BMW 335i xDrive Sport Line
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09-12-2014, 05:03 PM	#10
omaralt Major 778 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 22 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Just a quick update. Took it to the dealer. They looked for codes or something and it turned out the car was shutting down the heated steering wheel. First they thought it was because of a low battery. Nope. Battery at 90%. They "reset" all th modules. Still nothing. He then told me I'll have to come back for a full reprogram (can take up to 6 hrs). I'll drop it off Monday afternoon (didn't went to be in a loaner over the weekend). He's convinced there's nothing wrong with the actual wheel... I'm not so sure. Either way I'll update when we get a conclusion __________________ 2018 M3 6 spd 2017 M3 AW/SO 6spd 2014 435i M sport BSM/Coral 6spd (retired) 2013 550i M sport Alpine White/Cinnamon (retired)
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09-12-2014, 06:37 PM	#12
Brenzo Private First Class 10 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i xDrive Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Do you have Msport steering wheel? It's a thicker wrap on the wheel so it's not as strong / takes longer to warm up (or at least longer for your hands to feel it)
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09-18-2014, 02:18 PM	#13
omaralt Major 778 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 22 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	they just ordered a new steering wheel. they said it can take up to a month to get here so i'm gonna go pick up the car and take it back when the steering wheel gets here. i'll update when they install the new wheel __________________ 2018 M3 6 spd 2017 M3 AW/SO 6spd 2014 435i M sport BSM/Coral 6spd (retired) 2013 550i M sport Alpine White/Cinnamon (retired)
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09-18-2014, 06:27 PM	#14
snowghost Colonel 155 Rep 2,266 Posts Drives: '13 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Glad they diagnosed it. I'm glad I have the heated wheel and I live in L.A. Very nice on those cold mornings. __________________ F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
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09-18-2014, 06:47 PM	#15
bahasad Major 327 Rep 1,490 Posts Drives: F30, E90 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Somewhereinamerica iTrader: (4)	lmao got to love Floridians. Here in MI, when it's higher than mid 50s, I have the windows open or AC on. __________________ Current: 17 Mustang GT no bmw Gone but not forgotten: 07 E90 335I, 04 UA6, 95 E36, 04 EP3, 16 S550 EB, 14 F30 328I Stg 1, 08 E90 328I
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09-19-2014, 06:12 AM	#16
omaralt Major 778 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 22 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Just a PSA. They updated the software on my car and now it has an indicator in the dash to tell you when the heated steering wheel is turned on or off Attached Images __________________ 2018 M3 6 spd 2017 M3 AW/SO 6spd 2014 435i M sport BSM/Coral 6spd (retired) 2013 550i M sport Alpine White/Cinnamon (retired)
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01-06-2015, 07:34 PM	#17
TSquared Enlisted Member 16 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2019 440i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Heated Steering Wheel indicator Hey Omaralt, I just saw your post re: the dash indicator for the heated steering wheel. My 2014 F32 Coupe (delivered March 2014) doesn't have it....do I need to go to the dealer for that SW update? THANKS! __________________ Tony 2019 BMW 440i xDrive MSport MPPSK Estoril Blue 2022 BMW X3 xDrive MSport Brooklyn Grey Metallic 2020 BMW K1600GT Black Storm Metallic
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01-06-2015, 07:47 PM	#18
Fronzdan Lieutenant Colonel 304 Rep 1,739 Posts Drives: '24 M240 xDrive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I want that update too! Glad you got a new wheel...I figured that was it.
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