I have a question about leather wrapped steering wheel. In Canada, 2010 touring edition does not come with a leather wrapped steering wheel. I think it's kind of silly, that they equipped the car with 17 inch wheels and the revised steering ratio. They fail to equip the car with a leather wrapped steering wheel, which I think adds significantly to the driving experience. Does anybody know, or has anybody tried, buying the leather wrapped OEM steering cover as a replacement part and putting it on a non-leather wrapped steering version. After test driving the technology version, here in Canada, with the leather wrapped steering wheel, I think it adds a lot to the overall driving experience. Even though the technology package in Canada comes with almost everything that the US version has except it had 15 inch wheels. I can always get an aftermarket leather steering cover, but it never looks as good as the original. Is the leather wrapped steering wheel a complete package as a part, or the steering wheels are the same and then the leather wrapped part just goes on top?
I like leather wrapped steering wheels as well. I replaced the stock one with an OEM Toyota leather wheel on my '08 Prius. I'm not sure on the '10 but on the '08 all you need is the replacement wheel, no switches, etc. It is not a cover, it is a replacement steering wheel. I got the wheel off eBay, and had the dealer install it (about .8 hours labour). Total cost was right around $300 including labour, shipping, etc. Sure it's pricey but man does it feel good now
Boy is that pricey. I do like a leather steering wheel but above all, I like a thicker wheel as it just feels better while driving. I went the cheap route and bought a steering wheel cover off of eBay. As you all know, the circumference of the Prius steering wheel is smaller than most cars. It is impossible to find one that fits in the auto parts store. So I found one on eBay for $30 and it fits tight and makes the s/wheel feel much more substantial.
Go to PEP boys or any automotive store and buy a black steering wheel cover of your choice. I bought the $9 simulated leather. Cut the steering wheel cover in half. Rotate the steering wheel until the flat side bottom is facing up place the cover on so the bottom lines up with the flat end of the steering wheel. Adjust the cover for a tight fit with the overlap. Mark overlap and cut the excess off. Get some black electrical tape and tape the flat side and your good to go. Should work with any color as long as you have the matching tape. One el-chepo mod. Jim
