-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Steering Wheel Bubbling From Heat - Warranty?
- Thread starter TMYB-C1
- Start date
yurmix
Member
This happened to me. Important notice:
1. If you ask during the service they might very well cover, as this is a common issue.
2. the Tesla ranger who came to replace said that they are about to introduce a new steering wheel which prevents the bubbling/blistering issue. It might take up to a year until it comes out so you might want to delay the “in warranty” replacement. I couldn’t because mine was in bad shape).
1. If you ask during the service they might very well cover, as this is a common issue.
2. the Tesla ranger who came to replace said that they are about to introduce a new steering wheel which prevents the bubbling/blistering issue. It might take up to a year until it comes out so you might want to delay the “in warranty” replacement. I couldn’t because mine was in bad shape).
fiehlsport
Tire Guy
As much as I don't want to assist with resurrecting an old thread... I can't help but notice that all of these defective wheels are shiny. Which means they are not clean.
Oils cause this "vegan leather" material to deteriorate and bubble. Tesla doesn't cover it when the headrests bubble either, because it's from chemicals/grease on your hair. Headrests that are kept meticulously clean do not bubble. Same with the wheels. The wheel in Post #5 shows an extremely dirty wheel. It looks like a 10 year old rental car!
Keeping your steering wheel clean should prevent this. It should be matte, not glossy black. Even wiping it clean once a month with basic interior cleaner should keep the hand oils/lotion at bay.
And yes, normal leather wheels won't bubble even if they're dirty. But here we are... no choice these days. Toyota Softex-leather doesn't do this I imagine either, it's definitely a Tesla design flaw. But some of these wheels are nasty!
Oils cause this "vegan leather" material to deteriorate and bubble. Tesla doesn't cover it when the headrests bubble either, because it's from chemicals/grease on your hair. Headrests that are kept meticulously clean do not bubble. Same with the wheels. The wheel in Post #5 shows an extremely dirty wheel. It looks like a 10 year old rental car!
Keeping your steering wheel clean should prevent this. It should be matte, not glossy black. Even wiping it clean once a month with basic interior cleaner should keep the hand oils/lotion at bay.
And yes, normal leather wheels won't bubble even if they're dirty. But here we are... no choice these days. Toyota Softex-leather doesn't do this I imagine either, it's definitely a Tesla design flaw. But some of these wheels are nasty!
You could well have a point there. My car is usually kept under shade when parked or I use a windscreen shade. I clean M3 steering wheel every week sometimes twice. It was only after picking up my car from the panel beaters that I noticed the bubble closest to the left thumb scroll. They could well have had some chemicals on their hands/gloves when moving the car about the shop.
This really should be classed as a defect.
I was at 3.5 years (2020 M3 lr)38k miles a month or two ago and had some camera issues, I told them that my steering wheel was bubbling, he stated they'd look, no promises, when he showed up, he looked and Said I got you and replaced the steering wheel under warranty. it's obviously the same type of unit. I'll be getting a cover. I use cabin overheat too and it's garaged. 1500 bucks is too expensive.
fiehlsport
Tire Guy
Clean your steering wheel once or twice a month and it should not bubble again. If it looks matte, it's clean. If it's shiny, it's dirty.
fiehlsport
Tire Guy
Definitely worse on cars where the owner uses hand lotion. If you don't, that certainly bodes well. But I bet you'd get a lot of black/brown residue off of the wheel if you rubbed it with a damp microfiber towel!
fiehlsport
Tire Guy
doesn't seem so according to the manual. unfortunately bubbling would be considered cosmetic damage.
it's historical and obvious based on chronology of events, being released right when the MCU's started melting (actually the glue in the MCU), back then, Tesla was covering the issue under warranty. Can't believe everything you Tesla tells you.
