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Steering Wheel peeling

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dismack, May 5, 2017.

  1. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    What type of cows does Softex come off, thin skinned ones ? :D
     
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  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    What is SofTex®?
    SofTex® is a synthetic leather seat material designed for wear, easy cleaning and resisting spills. Soft to the touch, SofTex weighs about half as much as genuine leather. The way it's made generates around 85% fewer CO2 emissions and 99% fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than conventional synthetic leather. It also does not include any animal-based material.


    From What is SofTex®?

    also New artificial leather gains increasing Toyota acceptance - SAE International
     
  3. ePWR

    ePWR Member

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    Mine still looks like brand new after 16 months. and 3 people drive my Prius. thankfully no nervous nellies are picking at the SofTex.
     
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  4. Sandollars

    Sandollars Prius Maven

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    They prefer "Sensitive" :)
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    dismack?
     
  6. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    I get your theory.

    If you look at the photo I posted -- taken after 45,000 miles of driving -- there is a 3/8" area that looks like the Softex has been picked at.

    But there is also a 1.5" line radiating out from that area where the Softex material has bubbled up.

    Any theories on how that bubbled up line came to be?

    I will take some extra care to not rub my hand over that bubbled up 1.5" line when driving -- or pick at it or rub ithe blister without thinking like it were some sort of grunge from the fast food driver through-- but my guess is that over the next few 10k miles, the linear blister will get be broken too.
     
    #26 ATHiker, May 9, 2017
    Last edited: May 9, 2017
  7. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Or the ribbed, but I digress... :whistle:
     
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  8. ePWR

    ePWR Member

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    Gorilla Tape.
    (Or an old man steering wheel cover)
    Trim fingernails.
    Quit picking.

    Edit to add. I showed your picture to a coworker and sister who drive the 2015 Corolla S with SofTex seats and wheel. They report no problems.
     
    #28 ePWR, May 9, 2017
    Last edited: May 9, 2017
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  9. dismack

    dismack Junior Member

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    Sorry I've not replied lately, I've been very busy between work and various family related issues. The area that feels like it dried out and started to peel. I ended up putting some electrical tape to keep the peeling under control. My car is a lease, so I'm understandably concerned about this. I'm hoping that it will be a warranty issue and replaced the next time I'm in for service.
     
  10. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Not sure if that is a heat failure or a ring caught the softex and it tore first.

    None the less, I'd look to an upholstery shop to use a vinyl or leather repair kit on it and would predict the tear would not be very noticeable at lease turn in.

    The shop may be able to reduce the bubble at the same time and I would repair this sooner than later.

    Good luck.
     
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  11. Rpowers47

    Rpowers47 Junior Member

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    I took in my 2016 Three Touring with the steering wheel delaminating. Rep said not covered under warranty.
     
  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'd contact TOYOTA direct.
     
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  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    I guess they would call it wear and tear.
     
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  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Really, I'd consider that a steering wheel would last the (useful) life of a car.

    I've had cars up to 23 years old and only one needed the steering wheel replaced (a Mazda Familia/323 almost 3 yrs old replaced by MAZDA under warranty when the inner core became loose.
     
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  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I agree. One used car I bought had an aftermarket steering wheel but that was likely due to somebody wanting a smaller "racing?" wheel.
    I bought it in Canada and it was licensed from there. I had a mechanic tell me it would not pass Virginia state inspection due to the steering wheel size.
     
    #35 Prodigyplace, May 25, 2017
    Last edited: May 25, 2017
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  16. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Me too Alan, but Toyota may be using it as an excuse to wriggle out of a warranty claim.
     
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  17. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    My Morris Minor project still has its original 49 year old steering wheel, perfectly serviceable (can't say the same for the rest of the car ATM though).
     
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    My Dad in Canada had one of those for a while.
    My first thought was this though (borrowed from another user here.). Is this your project car?? :LOL: :D

    [​IMG]
     
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  19. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    That looks like a very serious project to me. o_O
     
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  20. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Mine's not as good as that one :rolleyes:
     
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