Heated Steering Wheel.

[Versii]

I have an 89 Buick Reatta. I live in northern Ohio, my car is parked outside. I want to get a heated steering wheel, but i cannot locate any kits, like they have for heated seats. Can I just buy a heated wheel from a Yukon or Cadillac, hack it up, and put the heating element on my wheel? I am making a modified steering wheel, that will need recovered, otherwise, I would just look at swaping the wheels out. Are there any cheap options for me? I am a high school student, money is not exorbitent right now. Thanks!!

[Joevette]

buy some reusable hand warmers

[GMfan1111]

it's cool that you have a Reatta (you don't see too many of those cars out and about these days) but as for the heated wheel forget it you have to do major work on the wiring (If it has power steering) and also on the steering components itself. on top of it the steering wheel from a Yukon or Escalade probably won't fit in the steering wheel boot due to its massive size. but please post some pics of your reatta for all to see and also check out these two links which will give you some general information on how to care for your reatta hopefully this information helps

http://www.reatta.org/

http://www.reatta.net/

[Versii]

Well, I have the wheel from an 87 Riv, I'm modifiing it. I would like to add the heated option. WHy would it be so difficult? Just rip the heating element off, glue it back on my wheel, and have the leather re-wraped. Why would power steering afftect it so much more than non-power steering? And I though every car save for Fieros came tihw power steering from GM at that time.

[shadams]

Well, anything can be done with enough money, but I cant see that happening. First of all, the heating element in a seat is not a bunch of little strips that you can seperate and glue on a steering wheel. Secondly, how would you wire it up, I mean, what would you do with the wires when you are turning? The way the factory heated steering wheels work is they have a coil that allows for turning. I dont see you being able to engineer that set up. If you do, you are one bad ass mofo. Good luck. Oh, and an escalde steering wheel with heat would probably run 1000 bucks easy.

I have to give you props though for the enthusiasm and effort, let us know what happens. Nice car BTW, looks good.

[GMfan1111]

I suppose the Riv's wheel could possibly fit but the the cost and the work involved to create a successful heating element for said wheel will be expensive and Unless your really skilled in wiring I highly doubt you will be able to achieve a safe successful setup. However I must also give you Kudos for your efforts and creativity and keep up the good work also Your car looks great especially in black

[Versii]

Originally Posted by shadams

Oh, and an escalde steering wheel with heat would probably run 1000 bucks easy.

$1000 just like the $89 ones on eBay? well, the wheel does not turn that much in these cars, only two revolutions if I remember correctly, while the 05 Silverado is much more. I am pretty good with wiring, its all very simple. Just finding the stuff I need is the hardest part for me. The biggest question that I have is do I need some kind of control box? Like a voltage regulator or something, or can I just wire this into like, my cig lighter?

[agman25]

Originally Posted by Versii

$1000 just like the $89 ones on eBay? well, the wheel does not turn that much in these cars, only two revolutions if I remember correctly, while the 05 Silverado is much more. I am pretty good with wiring, its all very simple. Just finding the stuff I need is the hardest part for me. The biggest question that I have is do I need some kind of control box? Like a voltage regulator or something, or can I just wire this into like, my cig lighter?

That car has the potential to be a future classic and potentially quite valuable. Do you really want to mess with it. Why is a heated steering that important. I would keep it as original as possible, at least save the original equipment.

[Versii]

Originally Posted by agman25

That car has the potential to be a future classic and potentially quite valuable. Do you really want to mess with it. Why is a heated steering that important. I would keep it as original as possible, at least save the original equipment.

I'm all for keeping things original, thats what we are trying to do with Corvette. But, I need to be able to hold onto my steering wheel while driving, and the poor circulation in my hands doesn't help when its colder than 20F outside. Leather is a bitch. Cold in the winter, hot in the summer! Also, If I do it right, nobody has to know that it has heated steering....

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Versii

Get a length of "nichrome wire". This is cheap. $10 tops.

Now you can just put this along the wheel. A single strip along the top is probably best. Then wrap it with leather...

Now run it up the bottom spoke into the horn area and provide some way to power this length of wire... you need fuse and a switch at least.

For maximum reliability you want to use a clockspring. Just pull one from an airbag equipped GM car or something. But you can just leave a sufficient length of regular wire in the middle to allow for turning, it isn't a "100 % reliable over 20 years" solution but it is good enough.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

Versii

Get a length of "nichrome wire". This is cheap. $10 tops.

Now you can just put this along the wheel. A single strip along the top is probably best. Then wrap it with leather...

Now run it up the bottom spoke into the horn area and provide some way to power this length of wire... you need fuse and a switch at least.

For maximum reliability you want to use a clockspring. Just pull one from an airbag equipped GM car or something. But you can just leave a sufficient length of regular wire in the middle to allow for turning, it isn't a "100 % reliable over 20 years" solution but it is good enough.

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[Versii]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

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is that a Yugo, or festiva??

[GMfan1111]

hard to say but its probably a burned up fiesta. The Yugo was a piece of crap in fact we had a bizarre accident here in Michigan years ago where one managed to find a way to get blown off the mackinaw bridge. to this day that particular incident is still shrouded in mystery and may never be fully solved

[LoveMyCentury]

I'd say get some leather gloves (or at least some with those rubbery grips) and keep that car its beautiful self without the fire risk. Practically looks like you just brought it home from the lot!

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by LoveMyCentury

I'd say get some leather gloves (or at least some with those rubbery grips) and keep that car its beautiful self without the fire risk. Practically looks like you just brought it home from the lot!

Yeah My mom uses gloves sometimes when the steering wheel is cold and usually the heating system in your car can get everything warmed up in about 5 to 10 minutes and you should really consider keeping everything as original as possible the Reatta is a rare Buick and yours is the nicest looking one i have seen in a long time