When it is time to replace a steering wheel cover, the new wrap should be a reasonable investment. First and foremost, such covers can wrap the old wheel, its nasty stains and cracks. Also, they make driving more comfortable and safer. Because the best leather covers prevent the driver’s hands from sliding over the wheel when driving. Premium leather wraps protect the wheels from getting too cold or hot.
Other benefits of leather covers for steering wheels include:
- Soft to the touch
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Better control on the road
- The stylish look of the car interior, especially if the leather cover matches the seats
- Durability – these covers are much better than synthetic or runner wraps
The market of the leather covers for steering wheels is enormous. That is why you need to look for certain features narrowing this choice down to a few top-notch products.
Check the buyer’s guide and comparison table for universal premium leather covers fitting most steering wheels.
SEG Direct Cover – the best eco-friendly wheel wrap!
SEG wheel wraps are one of the best products in this category. It is made of eco-friendly leather. It is great for many cars with a medium-sized wheel. If a user seeks the heat-resistant leather cover with soft padding, the SEG Direct will be a perfect match.
Also, this product is quite wear-resistant with a better grip so the driver could have full control when driving the car.
| Pros | Cons |
| High-quality and smooth material | Bad stitching at the seams |
| Cold and heat-resistant | May slip on some steering wheels |
| Great durability | – |
| Skidproof | – |
| Lightweight – it weighs only 11.2 ounces | – |
| Non-toxic – it is great if you drive kids in a car | – |
| Odorless | – |
It is good for decorating only the wheels with diameter from 14.5 to 15”. The famous SEG covers will decorate and protect the steering wheels. It is suitable for the steering wheels of the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Audi 3 and Tesla Model 3. The full list of compatible wheels can be found on the official SEG website. This model is available in different colors.
AULLY PARKCover – the best for style!
Aully Park’s cover delivers the best leather style to any car interior. It is made of a very soft material. The cover is quite fashionable because of the leather lace.
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft and durable leather | The holes may appear if the stitching is too tight |
| Stylish and exquisite lace | Doesn’t stretch well |
| Good for DIY stitching | Installation can be tedious |
| Comfortable grip | – |
| A few colors are available | – |
The package includes the cover, 1 needle and 2 threads for DIY stitching. This cover is available in sizes S, M and L. Do not forget to check the size chart before ordering the Aully Park steering wheel cover.
BOKIN Steering Cover – the best for temperature control!
The BOKIN covers are very comfortable. These leather wraps offer a nice grip and a perfect match for any 15” steering wheels. The best feature is the resistance to extreme heat or cold. You may leave the car in the direct sunlight and the wheel won’t get hot. Also, this cover has a nice classic design that can match any car interior.
| Pros | Cons |
| Top-notch material | Hard to install |
| Perfect fit | Uncomfortable grip for drivers with small thumbs |
| The inner grip lining doesn’t slip | – |
| Odorless | – |
| 18-month warranty | – |
| Rubber ring for additional control | – |
| Doesn’t contain formaldehyde | – |
If you are searching for the stylish, durable and heat-resistant wheel wrap, this item will cover your needs. It preserves the same temperature despite the season of the year. This cover is suitable for so many car models including Chevrolet, Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Dodge, Camry, Cadillac, Chrysler, Corolla, etc.
Rueesh Wheel Cover – the best anti-slip cover!
This Rueesh cover is made of 100% eco-friendly microfiber leather. This quite thin but durable wrap can withstand temperature changes. It may fit almost 90% of the steering wheels. Most users choose this product for a firm grip.
| Pros | Cons |
| Non-slip matte finish | Hard to install |
| Soft padding for additional comfort | The material is a bit rough |
| Stylish black color | Heavy – it weighs 3.5 ounces above the average weight |
| Better safety on the road | – |
| Healthy breathable materials | – |
| Wear-resistant | – |
| Resistant to the temperate changes | – |
The Rueesh wrap is good for protection and decoration. Thanks to a better non-slip grip, it provides an additional level of safety and comfort on the road. Besides, there is an additional massaging effect.
LemonBest Cover – the best price!
The LemonBest cover is based on the budget-friendly and healthy material – PU leather. It has a classic black color to match any car interior. The package includes a cover, a set of a needle and threads to do DIY stitching. The wrap can fit the majority of 15-inch steering wheels.
| Pros | Cons |
| Anti-slip wrap cover | Cheap and not durable material |
| Budget-friendly | Doesn’t come with instructions |
| Good for DIY stitching | – |
| Quick stitching | – |
| Comfortable grip for hands | – |
| Stretchable | – |
The LemonBest wheel wrap is a great choice on the budget. It adds style and provides a comfortable grip.
The Buyer’s Guide
Material
- Genuine leather is the cheapest material. It is made from various animal hides. Typically, genuine leather products are made of low-quality patches glued together. This material is a perfect choice for the most budget-friendly steering wheel wraps. Genuine leather is widely used for making belts and shoes. So any wrap made of this material will serve for many years. Also, this leather type has powerful weather-resistant qualities
- Microfiber leather is another popular material used for making top-notch covers. This synthetic fabric only imitates the surface of real leather. It is all-natural, heat and cold-resistant material covered in chemical solutions. It is a good choice for the drivers who don’t want to buy leather made of different animal hides
Size
Check the dimensions of the product before buying. They should completely match the size of your steering wheel. A comfortable grip is what you should look for. If the wrap is very tight, it may rip at the wrap’s seams quickly. And if the wrap is too loose, the wheel won’t provide the best driving control and you definitely don’t want this. So double-check the size of the wrap.
Bear in mind that such covers are hard to stretch. So the size has to be a perfect match from the very beginning.
Environment
Think about weather conditions that could affect the temperature in the car. If you live in a hot region, it’s better to invest in a high-quality leather wrap capable of keeping the hands cool. Bear in mind that light-colored leather wraps can bounce off UV rays. Such covers preserve the cooler temp for longer.
Durability
It’s the most important feature. The leather wraps must last for a few years without wearing out. Some manufacturers claim that their covers are machine/hand washable. So you can wash the cover to prevent it from collecting the dirt.
How to install a leather cover onto a steering wheel
Pull the wrap from the top to the bottom of your steering wheel. Make sure that the wrap does not cover the control levers or buttons. Then you need to start pulling it onto the top of the car’s steering wheel. As soon as the top part is in the right place, it needs to be fixed (it is better if someone will help you to hold it). Then pull the lower part.
Before putting the cover on the wheel, hold it for a while under a hairdryer – natural leather will become more elastic and flexible.
Leather Steering Wheel Covers FAQ
How should you protect a leather steering wheel?
You regularly touch a steering wheel – that is why it may easily get gross.
You should easily use a Lysol wipe or a 90% alcohol solution on certain steering wheels to clean the steering wheel.
To further clear up the air going into the vehicle, you should then adjust the air filter and apply disinfectant.
You ought to add a safe coat of oil after you’ve disinfected the leather to maintain the leather steering wheel looking smooth and supple.
You would want to use a sunscreen leather conditioner, as it will protect the leather of your steering wheel from light-induced harm. Cleaning the steering wheel down weekly, applying leather conditioning wipes, is advised. It would help hold the bacteria away by washing down the steering wheel weekly. The SPF will be replenished and the leather nourished, making it comfortable and supple.
Then, for a better appearance of your steering wheel, follow the above cleaning routine monthly. The more consistent you are with washing it, the longer the leather steering wheel will age.
Are leather covers for steering wheels worth buying?
A steering wheel cover may seem a strictly cosmetic accessory to add, but it also provides a handful of practical advantages in practice. There are some realistic benefits of obtaining a steering wheel cover for your vehicle, beyond decorating purposes:
- Remains cool even in hot weather. Keeping a steering wheel after it is fried in the 90-degree heat during the day is a literal pain. A fabric steering wheel cover does not absorb heat the way leather or vinyl does, but on a humid summer day, it is not comfortable to contact. Your sweaty palms won’t stick to the natural leather surface;
- Keeps hands warm in winter. On the flip side, a leather steering wheel cover will hold your bare hands warm as you wait for the sun to escape through the air vents if a cold sweeps through because you were not fitted for winter gloves;
- Helps to cope with grip fatigue. A reinforced steering wheel will ease hand pressure, much like a soft pillow that supports the neck and a soft chair cushion offers gluteal and lumbar relaxation. When you grip the wheel for hours, several covers have a smooth foam coating that cushions the side, decreasing cramps, pain, and exhaustion;
- Preventing the wheel’s material from drying off. This may be an essential reason to invest in a leather cover, particularly if you want, to remain the leather finish on your wheel;
Besides these benefits, leather covers for the steering wheels are also budget-friendly, adjustable and can be removed whenever you need them.
Can leather covers ruin a steering wheel?
No, it can’t. If the cover fits your steering wheel as it should, then you are safe from damages. On the contrary, it may protect your steering wheel’s original finish. Years of usage, the effects of direct sunlight, and palm grime may cause the original material of a car’s steering wheel to dry out, crack, and worsen. If the steering wheel of your car has not been adequately cared for, a cover will protect it from any further harm.
What to do if your steering wheel cover is large?
You’ll have to break off a section and reattach the ends if it’s too large so that it can suit the steering wheel.
If the cover you ordered is too thin, and depending on the sort of cover it is, you will be able to break it into parts that would only cover the portions of the wheel you usually use. You may stop unraveling the stuff, carefully trim the ends where you made the cuts.
The cover should fit around the wheel snugly.
Who makes the best leather steering wheel covers?
A few brands you may follow if you seek reliable leather steering wheel covers:
- SEG;
- Wheelskins;
- Vitodeco;
- A-Lighting;
- Valleycomfy;
- BDK;
- Bokin;
- Moyishi;
Are leather steering wheels universal?
Yes, steering wheels are interchangeable. However, there is a risk that the airbag connector is different, although it’s not possible. Usually, steering wheel diameters vary from 14.5 inches to 17.5 inches, and the grip circumference will range from 2 3⁄4 inches to 41⁄4 inches.
Aftermarket steering wheels are standard and thus need some type of converter, called a boss package or a wheel hub adapter, though they can suit any car. Boss kits may be unique to a product or even to a model set.
How can you remove a leather steering wheel cover?
Since holding to the leather wheel as firmly as possible is the entire concept of a cover, it might be a little complicated to detach. You should use the strategies you used to bring the cover on in reverse order, however.
You should always start using brute force first, for example. With one hand, draw the cover against you as you drive it backward with the other, and alternate the movement. You’ll find after a while that the cover is beginning to loosen up, which will encourage you to get a better grip. It’s going to take a bit, but you know this isn’t for people who get bored fast.
Alternatively, to heat the stuff to make it more stable, you should use the blow dryer again. That will make it easier for you to get a stronger grip on the cover and hopefully spread it outward. Shortly after, the steering wheel cover would definitely come off.
As for the covers that need sewing, it is much easier to cut them. Cutting the string that binds everything in position is the only thing you need to do. You can replace the string quickly and later sew it back together.
Is it possible to wash a leather steering wheel cover?
Typically, only fabric steering wheel covers are good for machine washing. If you use a PU leather cover, then you may wash it as well. Natural leather materials are water-resistant and may shrink if you wash them in a machine. Here is how you should clean natural leather covers for your steering wheel:
- Use a dry cloth to brush the dirt off;
- Spray the cleaning products (the ones made for natural leather shoes or accessories) onto a new microfiber cloth. Spray until the cloth is saturated (not soaking);
- Wipe gently over the wheel’s cover;
- The residue of the leather cleaner with a damp cloth. Rinse the piece in warm water;
- Dry the wheel with a clean and soft towel;
- You may also apply a drop of professional leather conditioner with bare hands;
If you do not have the patience to wait for the conditioner to dry for half an hour, quickly clean off all the leftovers with a towel instantly. Don’t drive, as it can be slick and risky, with the lotion left on the wheel.
On your steering wheel, the applied conditioner can provide a safety shield that cushions it from constant wear and grime and repels stains.
Video Tutorial: How to Cover a Three Spoke Steering-Wheel
Final thoughts
Top-notch leather steering wheel covers should provide the maximum grip and the best driving control. Consider choosing a clean, classic cover to match the car interior. Check if the leather wrap is weather-resistant. Also, it should be protected from the direct heat and UV damage. A perfect fit is another important factor to look for in premium leather wheel covers. The covering product has to be comfortable, nice-looking, and fitting your car’s wheel.
If you are into eco-friendly things like most people are nowadays then SEG direct cover is the choice for a leather steering wheel cover. You may need some elbow grease if it doesn’t fit your wheel but it’s well worth it. It has great durability.