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Steering wheel staining

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Old 05-23-24, 04:14 PM
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Wilson2000
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Default Steering wheel staining

I search for this topic expecting to find other disappointed buyers, but didn't find anything. Maybe the 2024 has a new type of steering wheel?

My wife and I bought a new 300h for her. After 500 miles, her only complaint is the steering wheel cover. It is "soft-touch" and very comfortable, but she is noticing staining, likely from the hand lotions she is using. Anyone else notice this? Anyone have any suggestions? We're thinking a steering wheel cover might be the solution, but they usually don't look great or fit well.

Did Lexus make another bonehead mistake here? Her 2011 ES 350 had a smooth leather and wood steering wheel that held up great for the past 13 years without staining! What's up with a soft-touch wheel that stains from hand lotion? It's a head scratcher!
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Old 05-23-24, 04:37 PM
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july1988
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But have you tried to clean yet LOL?
My wife does the same on her NX and I wipe it off weekly using a damp clothe, not only hand lotion but bunch of other **** anything from make ups to food and drink LOL, always some type of white stain on her steering wheel. Once in while I deep clean with interior/leather cleaner solution, everything comes off easily.
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Old 05-23-24, 10:35 PM
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gcvt
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^ Agree with the above post! I clean and condition my steering wheel, 'dash pad', and shift **** at LEAST every two weeks...usually wwekly.

Every time I clean/condition those items, I use a white microfiber cloth. I am amazed how much dirt shows up on the cloth.
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Old 05-23-24, 10:45 PM
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dezymond
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No issues with staining at all. Try cleaning the steering wheel and then putting some extra protection on it. I used gyeon leather shield on mine.
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Old 05-24-24, 12:46 AM
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ESh
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Mine is 2020 and no signs of wear. I clean it regularly with Gyeon cleaner and protect it with Gyeon leather shielf. It is very expensive but so the car.
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Old 05-24-24, 05:17 AM
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bc6152
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Well I don't put any kind of lotion on my hands and don't have any stains on my nearly 6 Y.O. executive sedan. However when I wash it I find the steering wheel requires cleaning probably from sweat on my hands.
I just use plain water and any soil comes off. Wheel looks like new so far. Flaxen and bamboo...
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Old 05-24-24, 05:52 AM
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ATL350
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While the old wood steering wheel was pretty, this new style isn’t a “bonehead’ design, but one that allows better grip, cushioning and better utilization of the heating element. Aside from the maintenance mentioned above, your wife might consider a different brand (some are far greasier than others) that might not leave marks or waiting a bit after applying the lotion before driving. Just a thought.
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Old 05-24-24, 08:31 AM
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Wilson2000
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Originally Posted by ESh
Mine is 2020 and no signs of wear. I clean it regularly with Gyeon cleaner and protect it with Gyeon leather shielf. It is very expensive but so the car.
I wasn't even sure the material on the steering wheel is leather. Since most responders to this post think it is...it must be some sort of suede, right? It's hard to believe suede is a good choice here, but based on the responses above, it seems to be working. I doubt, however, it will have the longevity of our 2011 ES--only time will tell if it was a "bonehead" decision by the Lexus engineer who designed it!
Old 05-24-24, 08:46 AM
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E46CT
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Can you post a picture of the stain?
Old 05-24-24, 10:30 AM
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ESh
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Originally Posted by Wilson2000
I wasn't even sure the material on the steering wheel is leather. Since most responders to this post think it is...it must be some sort of suede, right? It's hard to believe suede is a good choice here, but based on the responses above, it seems to be working. I doubt, however, it will have the longevity of our 2011 ES--only time will tell if it was a "bonehead" decision by the Lexus engineer who designed it!

The material is not leather.
Please post a HD picture, I want to see it.
Old 05-24-24, 10:40 AM
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It's probably same as the artificial leather seats. Nuluxe material.
Old 05-24-24, 01:30 PM
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Wilson2000
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Originally Posted by bc6152
It's probably same as the artificial leather seats. Nuluxe material.
Ours ES is a Luxury model. Do they have real leather seats, or, is that only the Ultra Luxury that has real leather? Not that I care as I have heard both materials hold up well, and the Nuluxe might even have an advantage in ease of cleaning.

BTW...will post a picture of the staining when able. I'm currently focusing on detailing the 2011 and getting it posted on Craigslist for sale.
Old 05-24-24, 02:46 PM
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Luxury and UL have real leather on the seats but the steering wheel is nuluxe.
Old 05-24-24, 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Wilson2000

BTW...will post a picture of the staining when able. I'm currently focusing on detailing the 2011 and getting it posted on Craigslist for sale.
FYI - I used the marketplace on this forum to sell my 2013 ES before I bought the 2019. Dealer offered $17,000., I sold it for $22,000.00 in 2 days... All for free. GOOD LUCK!
Old 05-24-24, 04:40 PM
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Myshkyn
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It looks to me like the Lexus comparison page indicates that the 300h Luxury comes with a leather steering wheel. Also, if you look at your sticker for the 300h Luxury it should have this:


Last edited by Myshkyn; 05-24-24 at 04:45 PM.


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