Wheelskins (Steering wheel cover)

All 2010 Prius level II & III is come with std. plastic steering wheel, which is one of the disappointed feature for a car starting $22750.

I saw Wheelskins product (Europerf) online.
1) Just wondering anybody try the Wheelskins on GenIII?
2) How it fit? and feel?
3) Is it hard to install?
4) GenIII steering wheel is not a circle (oval shape), would it still work?
5) Any other comments ...

I saw few posts from Gen II Prius users.

For your info.
http://wheelskins.com/europerf_wheelskin.php

I don't mean to single you out, but I've noticed comments like this several times since I've joined the forums. How is it that we forget that this car is equipped with an extremely expensive and advanced hybrid drive system that is clearly factored into the price of the car? To me, a plastic steering wheel is a small price to pay.

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, I don't know the answer to your steering wheel question.:noidea:

II and III come with cloth interior. What's the point of leather-wrapped steering wheel with cloth interior?

Some people like the feel of a leather covered wheel.

Gee, I think you have just helped me discover yet another addtion to my 2010 Blizzard II. I think they look great (from the website), and they would eliminate that rough plastic feel on the steering wheel. A bit spendy, though.
Thanks!

Definitely, I agree that Prius Hybrid drive system is an expensive & Hi-Tech equipment. However, I do have high expectation for new Prius in term of competing with similiar class car.

If Yaris, low model Corolla, or xD, I can fully understand why they offer plastic steering wheel, but not Prius. Plus, a leather (or artifical leather) steering wheel is not costing a lot extra or reducing mpg of the car.

I guess I've never had them. They were either cloth with non-leather steering wheels or leather with leather-wrapped steering wheels. However, wouldn't cloth with factory leather-wrapped steering wheel be problematic for the anti-leather zealots and I've come across quite a few on forums who refuse to get leather for this reason.

:focus:
Can we get back to the OP's questions of has anyone actually installed this, how difficult and how does it look?

I would like to know also before blowing an afternoon doing this.

I liked the leather steering wheel that came with our Gen II Touring edition when it was new and retained most of its original tackiness.

The leather steering wheel cover that comes with our Gen III V however is not nearly as tacky (my wife's Gen III IV is the same) so I have put a cheapo fabric steering wheel cover over the leather which takes a lot of getting use to.

I would love to replace the current leather cover with a tacky 3rd party alternative if it could be installed to fit just like the OEM.

too bad the littlest of considerations often make the most difference to our individual preferences, guess that's just part of being human.

Wheelskins make a whole lot of difference for the better on the steering wheel on the Prius.

Had anyone try the Wheelskins on 2010 Prius?

For installation tips, search the Gen II forum or search the phrases "wheelskins installation", "wheelskins instructions", etc.

My memory is that Bill Merchant and Godiva had good installation tips.

I've put similar leather steering wheel covers (different brand, same installation) on three cars in the past (and will eventually put one on my Prius). If you're anal about it the installation takes about an hour. They look great. (A friend who's really picky about his cars was skeptical when I installed one and he saw the result.)

I'd like to know from those that have installed the two color ones do the seams between the color change bother you?
Also has anyone found a difference between the smooth and the perforated ones?

thanks

You can request free samples of the leather (in the colors of your choice) on the web site, including the perforated leather.

I received the samples last night (grey, charcoal, and black with perforated). The leather feels good, and seems durable.

Charcoal shade more reddish than the rest of the interior material color (My Prius color is dark Grey interior). So, I may go with the black or grey.

I can't comment on installing this particular style on a Prius, as I don't have a Prius (yet) and don't have this style, but I installed a Wheelskins cover in my Ridgeline and can happily say it is VERY worth it. My truck is equally saddled with a plastic steering wheel, which also had the misfortune of having an annoying ridge from where the two halves were molded together. I constantly, mindlessly played with it and it drove me crazy when I realized it. I didn't like the feel so I got one of these.

Once it's on, it's fantastic. Getting it on, however, is not an easy task if you're impatient. You have to line it up just right, you have to pull the thread just right, etc. Pay very close attention to the instructions. It took two tries to get it on there and only then did I notice that it had a nasty blemish right on the front side of it. Had I planned it out, it would have been on the back and unnoticeable. As it was, it was on the front and it looked bad. I got in touch with the company and sent a picture, and they sent out another one free of charge! Very, very good customer service. One more try later, it was on and perfect. I love it - it was worth the struggle. The leather adds the cushioning your hands, IMO, need when gripping the steering wheel for long periods of time.

I've always bought the smooth black leather ones. It feels the best and it don't show dirt.