Heated Steering Wheel DownGrade

Chaser88 · Oct 24, 2022

Being a shift worker and living in Canada. Having a heated steering wheel is a nice perk at 3am in -30C weather. Ram steering wheels have always been almost to hot but loved it. After only 3 months on my 2022 Sport, wheel stopped working completely. Would turn off after a couple seconds. Had wheel replaced now it’s max heat is a joke. Thought something was still wrong but was told from Dodge Tech that’s the way all new wheels will work. They’ve gone from one extreme to another, pretty disappointed. Definitely not an option worth having anymore.

mikeru · Oct 24, 2022

I think that's more of a subjective thing. For me, the heated wheel in a '20 Laramie I used to own got way too hot. I'd have to turn it off after a few minutes. My Audi steering wheel only gets warm. Which to me is perfect. In our current Limited, it's like there are two heat zones. The leather sections are warmer than I like, but the wood insert section is perfect. I'm just looking for enough heat to take the chill out of the wheel. Other people seem to want it very warm or hot.

If you think the new wheel isn't doing anything for you, keep the heat off a few mornings. I've never experienced -30C (-22F). The coldest I've experienced is around -12F. I didn't own anything with a heated steering wheel at that time, and gloves were a definite must-have for my entire commute to work (25 min). It's normal where I live to see temps at or near 0F a few times each winter. Since Audi doesn't offer remote start on their vehicles (which is illegal in Germany), on those mornings I wear gloves for the first couple minutes of driving, but remove them when the engine reaches operating temps.

SniperDroid · Oct 24, 2022

Ill trade you the one in my 2500. Had it to the dealer twice, two new one's... still burns my hands after 3 minutes.

06 Dodge · Oct 24, 2022

Never owned a truck with heated steering wheel, never needed one even when I lived in the mid west that saw winter temps 20-40 below zero, before I went outside I just put on my trusty winter drive gloves until the interior warmed up about 3-5 minutes after start up, my truck had a block heater that was on a timer so that came on several hours before I left the house..

68PowerWagon · Oct 25, 2022

Chaser88 said:
Being a shift worker and living in Canada. Having a heated steering wheel is a nice perk at 3am in -30C weather. Ram steering wheels have always been almost to hot but loved it. After only 3 months on my 2022 Sport, wheel stopped working completely. Would turn off after a couple seconds. Had wheel replaced now it’s max heat is a joke. Thought something was still wrong but was told from Dodge Tech that’s the way all new wheels will work. They’ve gone from one extreme to another, pretty disappointed. Definitely not an option worth having anymore.

Yeah our Durango has the hot wheel, while my 2500 is just barely warm. It would be really nice if they had multiple settings like the seats do. Or something in the settings where you could adjust it to your preference. Anybody who has arthritis really appreciates the hot wheels on a cold day!

aces-n-eights · Oct 25, 2022

2022 truck, still under warranty, right? I'd take it back to the dealer and tell them you're not satisfied. If they put you off, find another dealer.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum!

mikeru · Oct 25, 2022

06 Dodge said:
Never owned a truck with heated steering wheel, never needed one even when I lived in the mid west that saw winter temps 20-40 below zero, before I went outside I just put on my trusty winter drive gloves until the interior warmed up about 3-5 minutes after start up, my truck had a block heater that was on a timer so that came on several hours before I left the house..

I used to be of that school of thought. Right up until the time I borrowed a truck with it. Since then, a heated steering wheel is a must have for us when vehicle shopping. It's not a matter of need, it's a matter of want. I mean, I don't need cruise control, AC, power windows, power door locks, power folding mirrors. Hell, even a sound system isn't a necessity. Where you draw the line is up to you. Heated seats is one thing I could truly do without, but most vehicles have those standard now.

Threesuns1 · Oct 25, 2022

I read somewhere there are settings for the different steering wheels that could be changed with AlfaOBD.

mikeru · Oct 25, 2022

Threesuns1 said:
I read somewhere there are settings for the different steering wheels that could be changed with AlfaOBD.

I've read that too, but I don't have AlfaOBD to verify that.

Jimmy07 · Oct 25, 2022

Threesuns1 said:
I read somewhere there are settings for the different steering wheels that could be changed with AlfaOBD.

Correct, you can use AlfaOBD to change the heated steering wheel material type, which will change the intensity of the heat.
You can also use AlfaOBD to give the heated steering wheel three heat settings instead of one- hi, medium, and low.

Kickboxer · Oct 26, 2022

It seems this is a limited issue, my 2022 Laramie's wheel heats perfectly.
Just like my previous RAM.

SniperDroid · Oct 26, 2022

Mine is a Bighorn.

Marshall · Oct 27, 2022

mine is a 14 sport, it is automatic depending on out side temp, Yesterday, it came on as winter made a sudden appearance
It can be a bit hot, but I can turn it off, I believe it will change temp, not sure , I have a good multi meter with a temp probe, so could check the temp .
As said , the seat I could take or leave, And sunroof I just don't get, but they seem to be standard on my last couple trucks.
BTW my hand have got real bad, so cold is not good.

Kickboxer · Oct 27, 2022

After having heated steering wheels in several vehicles, I find they are meant
for a quick warmup to get you down the road.
Then you shut it off, and drive.
If some want to drive with the heat on all the time, I feel sorry for you....

I cannot see much reason for the ***** on here. There is an on and off switch.

mikeru · Oct 27, 2022

Kickboxer said:
After having heated steering wheels in several vehicles, I find they are meant
for a quick warmup to get you down the road.
Then you shut it off, and drive.
If some want to drive with the heat on all the time, I feel sorry for you....
I cannot see much reason for the ***** on here. There is an on and off switch.

Different people prefer different driving conditions and comfort levels. No need to talk down to people who like things different than what you like. I keep my steering wheel heat on for the entire commute to work on winter mornings. You like to drive for a short time with it on then shut it off. It doesn't affect anyone but the person driving. :happy160:

18CrewDually · Oct 27, 2022

Jimmy07 said:
Correct, you can use AlfaOBD to change the heated steering wheel material type, which will change the intensity of the heat.
You can also use AlfaOBD to give the heated steering wheel three heat settings instead of one- hi, medium, and low.

Verified on the selection of material & level settings on newer trucks, 2020+.

Jimmy07 · Oct 27, 2022

18CrewDually said:
Verified on the selection of material. Can't find a selection for levels of heat.
View attachment 505462

You have a 2018, so your BCM is capable. This only applies to the 5th gen rams. It would be under Seats A: Heated Wheel Levels, and Seats B: Wheel Material Type Expansion.

18CrewDually · Oct 27, 2022

Jimmy07 said:
You have a 2018, so your BCM is capable. This only applies to the 5th gen rams. It would be under Seats A: Heated Wheel Levels, and Seats B: Wheel Material Type Expansion.

I found it and edited accordingly above.
Also wasn't available until 2020 models.

Ratman6161 · Oct 27, 2022

06 Dodge said:
Never owned a truck with heated steering wheel, never needed one even when I lived in the mid west that saw winter temps 20-40 below zero, before I went outside I just put on my trusty winter drive gloves until the interior warmed up about 3-5 minutes after start up, my truck had a block heater that was on a timer so that came on several hours before I left the house..

I live in Minnesota and once I had the heated wheel I vowed I would never buy another vehical that doesn't have it.

06 Dodge · Oct 27, 2022

Ratman6161 said:
I live in Minnesota and once I had the heated wheel I vowed I would never buy another vehical that doesn't have it.

I lived in north IA about 28 miles south of Albert Lea off I 35 so have an idea of cold temps as we saw many nights of temps of -22 to -35 below zero inside my non heated/insulated garage, in the winter I put the the block heater on a timer so gloves worked okay for me for the 5 minutes or so it took to warm up the cab, I also enjoyed the gloves for the 30 foot walk to the garage...

Heated Steering Wheel DownGrade

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