When the air bag deploys it plays "The Mapleleaf Rag".

George Dill

 

More like "The Maple Splinter Rag." Why do think that racing cars gave up on wood steering wheels decades ago?

 

To add to the above, I would never have a wood steering wheel in any of my vehicles, including the race car, unless it was a vintage car and such was required for authenticity. If you're holding the steering wheel in a crash it is extremely likely that it will bend, airbag or no. If the steering wheel is wood, or even just inlaid wood, in such circumstances it is highly likely that the wood will splinter with potentially disasterous results. The same used to be a problem with hard (i.e. brittle) plastic covered wheels, which is why most steering wheels today have covers made of softer material which doesn't splinter or shatter. I strongly suggest that you consider the above before getting a steering wheel which could cause you harm.

 

If you drive a classic Volvo...

http://www.calgaryvolvoclub.com/gallery/d/12194-2/HPIM0457.JPG

...or a newer Volvo...

http://www.volvocars.com/imageweb/19e0c428-1f30-4ac7-8855-3a90bab10e67.jpg

...or you can get just the plastic inserts that resemble wood...

http://www.dragtimes.com/images-cla...s-large/Volvo-XC90-Wood-Steering-Wheel-Cover-Parts-LW-for-sale_260709410029.jpg

On a car with a driver's airbag steering wheel removal/replacement has caused some techs to change occupations.

George Dill

 

On a car with a driver's airbag steering wheel removal/replacement has caused some techs to change occupations.

George Dill

+1

You will be in for some serious hurt.

 

Never had a car with a wood steering wheel. Are they as nice as they look? That is, do they get real hot/cold; will they crack; are they slippery; any other potential drawbacks? Thanks for any insight you have.

Feels as good as it looks...never too hot or too cold, nothing but the nice upscale look and feel...I have/had it on all new Volvo I bought last 12 years. Had to jump through a few hoops to get it on the 2008 3.2 S80 (allegedly the first one in the US with the classic wood and wooden wheel), when it was only available on the V8...

 

Thanks for the reply. I am going for it. Mnboy

 

My experience is that they get hot to the touch in the summer and stay cold for some time in the winter. I personally don't like them, much prefer the leather. With that said, if it is the wheel that has the wood just at the top and leather still where you grip it, then probably ok.

 

Personally they are not for me. Find them too slippery for grip. Then it is too hot under the sun. Though must admit they do look classy but I am happy with my leather bound wheel.

 

Then it is too hot under the sun.

The conventional wisdom of this is grossly exxagerated...the heat absorbing capacity of a polished wood and a matte black leather are not that different...The wheel gets hot under the sun in Los Angeles...period...I had "treatable" burns of my inner thighs getting recklessly into the black leather seat while wearing shorts...

 

Don't know about "inlaid" wood trim - but:

I've seen some really nice carved solid wood steering wheels. The ones I've seen are usually laminated out of several thick layers of high-density wood like teak / maple, with different grain directions in the laminations. They usually just are sanded smooth with a nice oil-finish that penetrates into the wood. Supposed to give good grip, good temperature feel in the hand, and really cool appearance.

If you have a car with fancy up-scale interior, then this would be a nice finishing touch.

 

I do have a Celtic sense of humour which can be hilarious once one understands it ... but not when it comes to safety, and from what I've seen wood steering wheels aren't safe. There is risk in everything in life, but the objective is not to avoid risks, but to minimize them to the highest degree possible ... it's often called survival of the fittest. BTW, have you ever seen bent wood steering wheels resulting from a crash with the wood all splintered? I have.

 

I do have a Celtic sense of humour which can be hilarious once one understands it ... but not when it comes to safety, and from what I've seen wood steering wheels aren't safe. There is risk in everything in life, but the objective is not to avoid risks, but to minimize them to the highest degree possible ... it's often called survival of the fittest. BTW, have you ever seen bent wood steering wheels resulting from a crash with the wood all splintered? I have.

No, I did not see the splintered wooden wheel in my 40 years of driving, but I can imagine that if the wooden wheel in my S80 bends, the splinters from it would be my VERY least worry...and my comment about you being hilarious is not a compliment...I am simply struggling for a more polite synonym to "idiotic"...

Survival of the fittest and professional or armature racing in one sentence? Do you have a slightest idea about the difference in the degree of risk between the two situations - a regular commute, holding the wooden wheel and a high speed race holding the leather wheel?

 

Hmm.. splintered wood is not a good thing in a crash.

 

Dear John2x240;

Please do not feed the wildlife.

Thanks.

George Dill

 

Sorry George.

 

Wildlife? LOL.