Steering Wheel Peeling

[kuhlka]

I'd blame the Simple Green. You shouldn't be using degreaser to clean leather. Use leather wipes. I'd never use that stuff to clean any of my motorcycle leathers. It dries it out. Leather needs oils to stay soft and ensure longevity.

If you MUST use Simple Green because your hands are covered in god knows what while you're driving, make sure to damp a cloth with linseed oil or leather honey and give it a wipe down.

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by emutcfut

This happened on a couple of cars I've driven with leather steering wheels including a 91 LS400, 90 325i, 06 IS250 so it's not just isolated to our "cheap" cars. Looks like its just the paint peeling. Maybe some of us have very acidic sweat that the paint doesn't like.

Possibly... Could also be the sealant.

Originally Posted by sshole

There shouldn't be any paint on a leather steering wheel...

It's probably just due to the type of leather that Subaru/Toyota is using. Cheap stuff.

Leathers are often painted and sealed for car use.

Originally Posted by kuhlka

I'd blame the Simple Green. You shouldn't be using degreaser to clean leather. Use leather wipes. I'd never use that stuff to clean any of my motorcycle leathers. It dries it out. Leather needs oils to stay soft and ensure longevity.

If you MUST use Simple Green because your hands are covered in god knows what while you're driving, make sure to damp a cloth with linseed oil or leather honey and give it a wipe down.

I wouldn't user simple green on my hands, so I wouldn't use it on leather either. Leather is cured skin, as such it should be treated like skin (active ingredients is most leather treatments are the same as good pure skin moisturizers)

[sshole]

Originally Posted by Poodles

Leathers are often painted and sealed for car use.

You learn something new every day.

[kuhlka]

Originally Posted by Poodles

I wouldn't user simple green on my hands, so I wouldn't use it on leather either. Leather is cured skin, as such it should be treated like skin (active ingredients is most leather treatments are the same as good pure skin moisturizers)

Exactly. When I've had to use it for thoroughly degreasing clothing, it dried out my hands like crazy, and that was maybe 1 cup for an entire 5gal bucket of water. When my STI's wheel gets gross, a few leather wipes thoroughly cleans it all off. Zero cracks in eight years and the surface of that leather is really smooth and shiny where I've had my hands.

If people using leather wipes or oil are having this kind of cracking, I'd be concerned.

[wrussi]

mine just started peeling off. took it to toyota and they took pictures of it and told me they had to get aproval from corportate to change it.
i never had this issue on the previous cars i've had. def a cheap part. they better change it or they will be hearing from me.

[Turbo95eg6]

Would they just replace the whole steering wheel or keep the stock airbags? I can see the the two not matching otherwise.

[andrew20195]

Originally Posted by Turbo95eg6

Would they just replace the whole steering wheel or keep the stock airbags? I can see the the two not matching otherwise.

The steering wheel is leather, the airbag cover is plastic. They don't really match anyway. No, they won't replace the airbag for a defective steering wheel.

[marke14]

I was searching online today to see if others were also experiencing this problem. I just reached 10,000 miles, and have owned and driven the car for 9 months now. My spot is at the 10 o'clock position. I don't wear "sharp rings" nor do I death-grip my steering wheel. I am astonished that this is a problem already!

I do love the car, but I have had to have the rearview mirror mount replaced (the mirror fell off the windshield) and now this. Disappointing for an otherwise very exciting and seemingly well-built car.

Here's my picture, that is my overexposed finger pointing at the spot.

[Mister]

So after I got mine replaced I noticed that the new one is a flatter color than the old. My first wheel had sort of a glossy sheen from brand new, so to me it feels as if this one is a bit different. My fiancé commented on this as well before I even pointed it out, so it was not just me ha. The dealer claimed it was a wear item, however with this new observation I am beginning to think it was a quality assurance issue from the factory.

Originally Posted by Poodles

I wouldn't user simple green on my hands, so I wouldn't use it on leather either. Leather is cured skin, as such it should be treated like skin (active ingredients is most leather treatments are the same as good pure skin moisturizers)

I just saw the comments on Simple Green. I have used it at extreme dilution on leather previously to remove grease on my couch and in a previous vehicle without harming the finish. Also I have found it to be a recommended cleaner for leather in autos for similar messes:
http://www.autos.com/car-maintenance...ather-cleaning
http://www.technique-leather-repair....veleather.html


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ScorpionOzzy]

Originally Posted by ScorpionOzzy

My steering wheel did the exact same thing, peeling at the 9 oclock position. I took it into the dealer and showed my service advisor, who had it replaced. The car was only 3 months old at the time.

Just wanted to come back and chime in here... So I got my steering wheel replaced in January under "good will" because it's not covered by warranty. It's now April and my steering wheel is Peeling again! wtf Toyota come on!

edit:
So I just called my service advisor and he told me to call Toyota customer service @ 1-800-331-4331and report it that way they know about it. I suggest everyone who has had the problem do so as well, that way it is documented and they can possibly take action to make some changes.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by ScorpionOzzy

Just wanted to come back and chime in here... So I got my steering wheel replaced in January under "good will" because it's not covered by warranty. It's now April and my steering wheel is Peeling again! wtf Toyota come on!

Are your windows tinted? Maybe those strong Florida UV rays are destroying your interior.

[ScorpionOzzy]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Are your windows tinted? Maybe those strong Florida UV rays are destroying your interior.

Windows have factory tint. And I doubt it's the sun, I don't think I ever park with the 9 o'clock position up on the wheel.

[AznBRZer]

Is that where you hold the steering wheel?

[radroach]

might be acidic sweat from your hands, some people's sweat can be more corrosive than others.