There are two ways to modify the steering wheel: one is to modify the original steering wheel of the vehicle, and the other is to replace the original steering wheel of the vehicle. Both of these methods have no impact on the vehicle itself; there are only some minor differences in appearance.When modifying a steering wheel, when choosing the material of the steering wheel, it is necessary to select those that are soft, comfortable to the touch, anti-slip and wear-resistant. If your car has leather seats, it's best to change the steering wheel to leather as well.
There are mainly three types of materials for steering wheels: Genuine leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber.
When choosing the material for the steering wheel, it is necessary to make the selection based on the condition of your car. If you want to modify to genuine leather, it's best to choose leather with stitching when modifying. This way, your interior can look more refined and at the same time protect the car interior from scratches. If you want to modify plastic, it's best to choose plastic material, as it can provide a very good anti-slip effect.
Alcantara
Alcantara is a new type of material that combines high technology and fashion, and it is also one of the most advanced artificial leathers in the world. It not only has the soft touch and rich texture of genuine leather, but also has excellent water resistance, dust resistance and wear resistance. Alcantara was first introduced by General Motors of the United States in the 1960s and is mainly used in luxury cars, trucks and other sedans and trucks.
Alcantara is mainly composed of polyurethane, polyamide and silicone resin. Due to its excellent processing performance, Alcantara has excellent heat resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance and insulation. Alcantara has excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance in industrial applications. It is also widely used in the automotive industry in parts such as wheel covers, car bodies, door panels and windshields.
Due to its excellent performance, Alcantara steering wheels have become the preferred choice for many luxury brand models, such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Cadillac CT6. Compared with ordinary leather steering wheels, Alcantara steering wheels have better anti-slip performance and corrosion resistance. This is because its special structural design and processing technology cause Alcantara to undergo chemical changes when in contact with water, thus forming a protective film that has excellent water resistance and can also prevent dust and impurities from causing damage to it. However, ordinary leather steering wheels will undergo very significant deformation when exposed to water, thus causing irreparable damage.
The Alcantara steering wheel not only offers the comfortable touch of a genuine leather steering wheel, but also can enhance the overall safety of the vehicle to a certain extent. For instance, in the event of a rear-end collision, the Alcantara steering wheel is not prone to deformation or damage, thus effectively preventing passengers from being injured due to the impact. In addition, using Alcantara steering wheels in emergency situations can effectively reduce the injuries caused by accidents.
However, due to its high price (about three times that of ordinary leather steering wheels) and poor durability (with a typical service life of around 10 years), many car owners choose to install carbon fiber steering wheels when modifying their vehicles.
Perforated Alcantara
Perforated Alcantara is a composite material, usually made from polyamide and polyurethane as raw materials. It is formed by heating and extruding the two materials at a certain temperature. The Perforated Alcantara steering wheel has the advantages of high strength, light weight and corrosion resistance. Moreover, during processing, two materials need to be bonded, making it very difficult to process.
The Perforated Alcantara steering wheel has a shape no different from an ordinary one, but there is a unique small bulge in the middle, which is because carbon fiber has been added inside. This protrusion can increase friction, reduce the vibration generated when the car turns during driving, and also improve the stability of the car during driving. The Perforated Alcantara steering wheel enables drivers to focus more on driving rather than being distracted by the situation outside the vehicle. However, the Perforated Alcantara steering wheel is not suitable for aggressive driving as it can make the steering wheel too heavy and affect the feel.
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber has the lightest density among all materials, so it is widely used in automobiles. Many high-end models use carbon fiber to make steering wheels. However, carbon fiber also has its drawbacks. Its high-temperature resistance is not very good. Under high-temperature conditions, it may deform or lose its original luster. In addition, carbon fiber is prone to generating unpleasant odors during the manufacturing process, and prolonged use can cause harm to the body.
If your car doesn't have leather seats and you want to add a touch of luxury to the interior, you can choose to make the steering wheel with leather or carbon fiber. If your car already has leather seats, then you can replace them with leather steering wheels. When replacing a genuine leather steering wheel, there are many issues to pay attention to. First of all, it is necessary to ensure that the original factory genuine leather will not be damaged or cracked. Secondly, it is necessary to ensure that it has no unpleasant smell. The last point is to ensure that it does not cause any damage to the interior of the car.
In addition to the above three types of steering wheel materials, there is another type that is also very popular, and that is plastic material. Plastic steering wheels do not require special treatment during the manufacturing process and will not develop any unpleasant odors during use. In addition, plastic steering wheels are not prone to damage and also have the characteristics of wear resistance and anti-aging. However, plastic steering wheels have a drawback: they may deform or lose their original luster in high-temperature environments.
Leather
The advantages of a genuine leather steering wheel are its good feel and high safety performance. However, the drawbacks of a genuine leather steering wheel are also quite obvious. It is prone to wrinkling and, in an emergency, your hands can easily be blocked by the steering wheel. Secondly, genuine leather steering wheels are not dirt-resistant. In summer, they are very prone to getting stained with oil and sweat, which affects the feel. At the same time, leather steering wheels are also very difficult to clean, so generally we do not use leather steering wheels.
Generally speaking, the price of genuine leather steering wheels is relatively high, and many people are reluctant to spend so much money to modify them. However, some car owners choose plastic steering wheels that are relatively cheaper when modifying them. This kind of plastic steering wheel is relatively cheap and also very easy to clean. However, plastic steering wheels can affect driving safety in emergency situations.
If you want to modify a plastic steering wheel, it's best to choose one made of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber steering wheels are much more expensive than those made of genuine leather or plastic. However, the carbon fiber steering wheel is not prone to deformation during use and can also play an anti-slip role. However, carbon fiber steering wheels are relatively heavy. If you need to turn the steering wheel frequently, it is best to choose a lighter plastic steering wheel.
Of course, no matter what material your car steering wheel is made of, you should choose a product produced by a regular manufacturer. Safety issues must be given top priority during installation and use. Since many people do not know what an airbag is, they must pay attention to this issue when modifying it.
Perforated genuine leather
Leather steering wheels are the most expensive among the three types of steering wheels. Leather steering wheels have good breathability, do not age and do not crack. So generally speaking, steering wheels made of genuine leather are relatively durable
