Install Heated Steering Wheel
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 506
Likes: 94
From: Ontario
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
You must look like the rubber man while you take a turn 
I for one do not want to risk dislocating my elbow when taking a turn in my car. Other manufacturers' heated steering wheels are heated 360 deg, Lexus like to used the wood steering wheel excuse but Lincoln and other manufacturers also has wood heated steering wheel. Whatever happen to " in pursuit of perfection" the steering wheel heated at just those two small areas is far from perfect.
I for one do not want to risk dislocating my elbow when taking a turn in my car. Other manufacturers' heated steering wheels are heated 360 deg, Lexus like to used the wood steering wheel excuse but Lincoln and other manufacturers also has wood heated steering wheel. Whatever happen to " in pursuit of perfection" the steering wheel heated at just those two small areas is far from perfect.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 19
From: OH
The time I spend turning sharply is very small compared to the time I spend driving straight or making mild turns. Last night I determined that, when making a hairpin turn at 15-20 mph, my hands were off the heated portion of the steering wheel for less than ten seconds, and my hands never got cold during that period. I do keep the automatic climate control set at 73 degrees.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
The time I spend turning sharply is very small compared to the time I spend driving straight or making mild turns. Last night I determined that, when making a hairpin turn at 15-20 mph, my hands were off the heated portion of the steering wheel for less than ten seconds, and my hands never got cold during that period. I do keep the automatic climate control set at 73 degrees.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 506
Likes: 94
From: Ontario
None the less, your hands were off the 3 and 9 oclock position for whatever short period of time. The point is not rather you can turn without touch the cold part of the steering wheel, the point is that Lexus is suppose to be a luxury car and we pay for such a car, even Toyota's steering wheel is heated 360 deg. I paid for a heated steering wheel, not a partially heated steering wheel. What if there were other options on your car that was only partially functional? Would you be ok with that?
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 470
Likes: 61
From: MN
I didn't have too many issues with it either until my wife bought a QX60. That steering wheel is heated 360 and gets hotter. These are 1st world problems to be sure but it's odd the Lexus wheel is only partially heated. Not all of us drive with hands at 3 and 9 regardless if it's 'proper' or not. I've been driving for 30 years without an accident or ticket and you know what, I like to occasionally drive with my hand at the top of the wheel or at the bottom.
Maybe this is Lexus's way of forcing us to drive at 3 and 9 similar to how they won't let us see album artwork while the car is in motion.
It's ok to criticize the NX sometimes....
Maybe this is Lexus's way of forcing us to drive at 3 and 9 similar to how they won't let us see album artwork while the car is in motion.
It's ok to criticize the NX sometimes....
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 845
From: Idaho
I didn't have too many issues with it either until my wife bought a QX60. That steering wheel is heated 360 and gets hotter. These are 1st world problems to be sure but it's odd the Lexus wheel is only partially heated. Not all of us drive with hands at 3 and 9 regardless if it's 'proper' or not. I've been driving for 30 years without an accident or ticket and you know what, I like to occasionally drive with my hand at the top of the wheel or at the bottom.
Maybe this is Lexus's way of forcing us to drive at 3 and 9 similar to how they won't let us see album artwork while the car is in motion.
It's ok to criticize the NX sometimes....
Maybe this is Lexus's way of forcing us to drive at 3 and 9 similar to how they won't let us see album artwork while the car is in motion.
It's ok to criticize the NX sometimes....
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 19
From: OH
Totally agree. If one did their research before buying the car, one would have known that the steering wheel was only partially heated, and could have bought a car with a fully heated steering wheel, assuming that was one of the most important criteria in their choice of vehicle. In my case, I knew that the NX had the touch-pad interface for the infotainment system, and I bought it anyway. Certainly, Lexus should have done something different, but it would be foolish of me to now complain that the interface is terrible.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 568
Likes: 166
From: Mid-West
Does it say partially heated steering wheel on the window sticker?
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
I did, and did not like the sun glasses holder (lousy little bin with mirror), but decided to live with it as I liked the rest of the "package". BTW, I like NX heated steering wheel and use it every day in cold season.
What amuses me the most is that OP-er asked for help and directions about how to install the heated steering wheel and few folks managed to turn his/her request into car bashing enterprise.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
Did you take a test drive and checked all important for you features and functions? Did you ask a dealer all questions you should ask prior to pulling a trigger on $45K purchase? If you did, you knew all what you expected from this car. If you did not, it is your fault.
I did, and did not like the sun glasses holder (lousy little bin with mirror), but decided to live with it as I liked the rest of the "package". BTW, I like NX heated steering wheel and use it every day in cold season.
I did, and did not like the sun glasses holder (lousy little bin with mirror), but decided to live with it as I liked the rest of the "package". BTW, I like NX heated steering wheel and use it every day in cold season.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 19
From: OH
Does it say partially heated steering wheel on the window sticker?
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 568
Likes: 166
From: Mid-West
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 845
From: Idaho
Does it say partially heated steering wheel on the window sticker?
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
I am glad you are happy with your sub par features on your Lexus, I expect more for the price I paid for the NX. What if your heated seats were only heated at the seat bottom or if your air conditioning only heat the rear of the car?
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 470
Likes: 61
From: MN
Please don’t take this the wrong way as I don’t mean this to be antagonistic, but if you find the vehicle below your standards or expectations, why do you keep it? I would unload it before it depreciates further if I was distressed by the “sub par features” on a car. Again, I apologize if this sounds sarcastic as that’s not by intent, but I am always a little curious when we hear from owners who seem dissatisfied with a vehicle but prefer to keep it anyway.
The fact is this heated wheel is subpar for a luxury brand. Is it worth getting rid of the car, no but I wouldn’t recommend someone pay extra after the fact to install this heated wheel.