MSPFusion Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Am I the only one who thinks Ford pulled the leather for the steering wheel cover out of the bargain bin at "Pleather 'R Us"? A car this nice deserves more attention to detail in this area, after all, your hands are on the wheel more than anywhere else. My previous car was an Audi and for all of that car's many flaws, material quality in the cabin wasn't one of them. Does anyone know a good source for a replacement? Are Wheelskins any good? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camride Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I don't have any problems with the leather on my steering wheel, maybe your car accidentally got one from from a S or SE? The leather on my Fusion steering wheel is nice than the leather on my Audi A4, but it was 11 years old so maybe that's why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pers69 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Happy with mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rprobst Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) The leather on my wheel feels very good to me. My previous car was an Audi, and I consider myself spoiled by it. The Ford has big shoes to fill. With a few small exceptions, it does. Edited April 19, 2013 by rprobst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey151 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 The wheel is a bit thinner...............but the material seems fine. I like the bit of texture to the leather, might be more durable than the smooth.............given every single VAG wheel I've come across had some of the smooth part "fail" (not fail, just not smooth anymore). Aside from the ride & handling the interior materials are the most impressive feature. Soft touch anywhere you might come into contact = nicely done. There is the piano black......but hey nobody's perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckokie36 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 My Hybrid Titanium meets or exceeds my expectations in all areas including the steering wheel leather . I just came from a Honda Accord Hybrid with a leather the Hy Ti is as good as that Honda was.. great car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmp180psu Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I really like the feel and texture of the leather steering wheel. It is firm yet has enough cushion to be comfortable. I am glad it is/was part of the appearance package. The leather wheel in my old TL might have been thicker, but it didn't feel as nice or comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neod192 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I took another look at my steering wheel and have no issues with the leather on it. It's my first car with a leather steering wheel, so have nothing to compare it with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcats98 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Mine is good as well. Better than the "leather" on my Sonata Limited. So I guess its relataive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPFusion Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 Guess I'm out-voted on this one. The leather on my wheel feels "plasticky" compared to the leather on my 2001 Audi steering wheel. I might try putting some Lexol on the steering wheel cover and the seats. The MKZ cover feels a little better. Replacing the cover would be a lot of labor to sew a new cover on, or expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey151 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Guess I'm out-voted on this one. ................ Nah, it's subjective - everyone may feel differently. VAG wheels are larger (diameter) and a bit softer. Different feel for different folks - as you said, might be pricy to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPFusion Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 Bailey, I think you are right. The VAG wheel feels heftier in hand and it is a smooth leather cover. Plus, I've been using it for 12 years. We'll see what some time, and Lexol, can do before I spend any money on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcats98 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Or you wear out this one and then have it covered... If you want plasticy...come feel my Sonatas "leather"..its pure junk. So are the "leather" seats. When they wear out I am going to Katskin them. The stuff in the Fusion is night and day different in my situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluspikez Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Guess I'm out-voted on this one. The leather on my wheel feels "plasticky" compared to the leather on my 2001 Audi steering wheel. I might try putting some Lexol on the steering wheel cover and the seats. The MKZ cover feels a little better. Replacing the cover would be a lot of labor to sew a new cover on, or expensive. I have to agree with you - the leather on my 02 Dakota's steering wheel felt much better than the leather on my Fusion's wheel. I'm assuming it's one of two things - that wheel was well broken in when the truck came my way (~7yrs old in '09), and it was a smooth finish, not a grained one. I'm hoping that with some more break in time the wheel on my Fusion will feel the same way as the well-used wheel my truck had, but I'm guessing it won't. Just seems to be a different kind of leather that isn't as supple or something. Ford did advertise it as "leather wrapped", and not "leather trimmed" or something else to indicate that it was only partially real, so I have some faith that it is in fact real. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPFusion Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 bluspikez - thanks, nice to hear that I'm not the only one who feels he is grabbing plastic. On a business trip this week I rented a Chevy Cruz. It had leather, and the steering wheel was awesome. Beautiful smooth black leather, wonderful job of stitching it on, nice indents at 10 and 2 O'clock. I couldn't believe it. I'll try to wear it in for a bit and I'll add some Lexol. But I think eventually I'll be buying a new cover. Maybe they'll come up with something better in Europe when the Mondeo hits over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsellar Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I also agree. I suppose it's smooth, and "leather-like", but it does not seem like real leather. I've had much better leather in several of my previous vehicles. It does feel ok, and I'm not too upset about it, but it's certainly not the nicest I've had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPFusion Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 According to my Ford dealer the leather steering wheel cover on the MKZ cannot be ordered separately, you have to buy the whole steering wheel. Looks like an aftermarket solution may be the only choice, besides sticking with what the car came with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holyfusion Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I prefer the wood feel on steering wheels like the luxury cars have. They do not get not in the sun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluspikez Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 bluspikez - thanks, nice to hear that I'm not the only one who feels he is grabbing plastic. On a business trip this week I rented a Chevy Cruz. It had leather, and the steering wheel was awesome. Beautiful smooth black leather, wonderful job of stitching it on, nice indents at 10 and 2 O'clock. I couldn't believe it. I'll try to wear it in for a bit and I'll add some Lexol. But I think eventually I'll be buying a new cover. Maybe they'll come up with something better in Europe when the Mondeo hits over there. I also agree. I suppose it's smooth, and "leather-like", but it does not seem like real leather. I've had much better leather in several of my previous vehicles. It does feel ok, and I'm not too upset about it, but it's certainly not the nicest I've had. I borrowed a friend's 2013 F150 this weekend for some moving I was doing and the leather on that wheel was much more like what I would prefer on a wheel. That being said, I've handled a sample of the leather used for various surfaces in the Fusion at work, and it is definitely real leather, the finish on it just makes it feel very similar to the vinyl with the same grain pattern that is used on other surfaces in the Fusion. Maybe this was the goal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey151 Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I borrowed a friend's 2013 F150 this weekend for some moving I was doing and the leather on that wheel was much more like what I would prefer on a wheel. That being said, I've handled a sample of the leather used for various surfaces in the Fusion at work, and it is definitely real leather, the finish on it just makes it feel very similar to the vinyl with the same grain pattern that is used on other surfaces in the Fusion. Maybe this was the goal? Or maybe durability? I did like the smooth leather on VAG wheels......but....all of them failed (the smooth finish broke) at some point - maybe the texture was to avoid this? May not be the best but at least it beats hard plastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPFusion Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share Posted April 29, 2013 The cover on the wheel of my 2001 A6 with 170,000 on it still feels like new. The texture may improve grip, and its not the texture I mind it's that the leather feels cheap. For now, I'll hit it with Lexol and give it some time. The aftermarket is bound to come out with something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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