As winter approaches, many drivers ponder an important question – does the Honda Accord have a heated steering wheel ❄️ to make frigid morning commutes more comfortable? The short answer is yes, higher trims of the popular sedan do feature a heated steering wheel 🚗💺🔥 to take the sting out of cold weather driving.
Specifically, Touring and Elite editions of recent model year Accords have a heated wheel to warm hands in chillier temperatures. So if you drive an older base model LX, Sport, or EX Accord, sadly no heated steering wheel for you.
Below we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Honda Accord’s heated steering wheel – what trims have it, how it works to defrost your fingers 🤚, key safety tips before turning on the heater, and even how to retrofit older Accords with an aftermarket heated wheel cover. So let’s warm up on all things related to heated steering wheels in Honda Accords!
What Trims Of The Honda Accord Have A Heated Steering Wheel?
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Not all versions of the popular Honda Accord sedan come equipped with a heated steering wheel ⚠️🚗💺🔥. The warming feature is typically only found in higher, more premium trims of the vehicle. Here’s a quick rundown of which Accord variants do and do not have a heated wheel straight from the factory:
Accord Trim | Heated Steering Wheel? |
LX | No |
Sport | No |
EX | No |
EX-L | No |
Sport 2.0T | Yes |
Touring | Yes |
Hybrid | No |
Hybrid EX | No |
Hybrid EX-L | Yes |
Hybrid Touring | Yes |
So if you recently purchased a base model LX or mid-grade EX or Sport Accord, chances are high there’s no built-in heated steering wheel to warm your hands when the mercury dips.
But if you splurged on a luxury Touring or Elite edition for the 2023 model year, congratulations – your Accord does have a heated steering wheel 🎉🔥💺 to make winter driving more pleasant.
How Does The Heated Steering Wheel In The Honda Accord Work? 💺🔥
The Honda Accord’s heated steering wheel 🚘⚙️ utilizes an electrical heating element embedded into the leather wrapping to gently warm the wheel to a nice temperature.
Simply pressing the button activates the heating mechanism, allowing an electric current to safely flow through resistors in the wheel itself. This quickly heats up the leather surface within 2-3 minutes for hands-free winter comfort.🌡️💺
However, it’s critical to ensure the car’s ignition is actually turned fully “ON” first before activating the heated steering wheel. Pressing the 💺🔥 button with just the battery or accessories on can prematurely drain your car’s battery according to Honda. So be sure to start the engine first before engaging your toasty steering wheel heater!
Additionally, Honda recommends flipping the heated steering wheel switch off 💺❄️🔥 button before turning your vehicle off and exiting. This saves energy since the wheel draws quite a bit of current to maintain its heated state. It also prevents accidentally cooking your wheel overnight!
Tips For Using The Honda Accord’s Heated Steering Wheel Safely
Equipped with the knowledge that higher Touring and Elite trims do indeed have a heated steering wheel🧤🔥🚗, what are some key tips to safely use this excellent winter feature? Here are a few pointers:
Don’t Drape Objects Over The Wheel
It may be tempting to drape gloves, blankets, or other items over your toasty heated steering wheel on frigid days. But resist doing so! Covering the wheel while the heating element is active can trap heat and damage your leather wrap according to Honda.
Periodically Check For Damage
Make it a habit to periodically check your Accord’s heated steering wheel 💺🔥 for damage like cracks or tears. If damaged, discontinue use immediately and have your dealer replace the wheel to prevent short circuits or uncovered heating elements from causing injuries.
Clean Gently To Avoid Tears
When cleaning your steering wheel, be very gentle especially around stitching or perforations where the heating element wiring resides. Aggressive scrubbing can tear leather, damage wiring, and ruin heated steering wheel function.
Turn Off When Not In Use
As mentioned before, using the auto shut-off feature for your Accord’s heated steering wheel 🚗🧤🔥 ensures the heating elements won’t remain active indefinitely while parked. This both saves battery draw and avoids accidental overheating risks if covered.
Adding An Aftermarket Heated Wheel Cover To Older Accords
Do you own an older base model Accord lacking the heated steering wheel comfort of fancier Touring and Elite editions? 😢 Don’t worry, numerous aftermarket options exist to retrofit heated wheel functionality into pretty much any car nowadays including your trusty older Accord!
Heated Steering Wheel Covers
The most popular solution comes via heated steering wheel covers that wrap your factory wheel in heating pads and warmer leather/suede. Brands like Zone Tech sell affordable heated covers providing comfortable warmth while driving older Accords. Installation only takes minutes too!
Heated Wheel Upgrade Kits
For more permanent heating upgrades, companies offer full heated steering wheel replacement kits. These swap your wheel for an aftermarket heated variant with easy plug n’ play connectors to wire into your car. Brands like Heat and Cool sell quality kits providing modern heating features for virtually any vehicle like older Accords. Though pricier, they do offer full OEM-quality fit and finish.
So while the latest 2023 Touring and Elite Accords enjoy heated steering wheels straight from the Honda factory, owners of older LX, Sport, and EX models still have plenty of aftermarket options for affordably staying toasty on winter drives! 🔥🚙💺⛄️🧤
Now let’s answer some common heated steering wheel FAQs for Accord owners – new and old!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Every Honda Accord Model Year Have A Heated Steering Wheel?
No, heated steering wheels only began appearing in top-of-the-line Touring and Elite trims starting around 2018. Earlier model year Accords do not have the heated wheel feature from Honda, unfortunately.
What Buttons Activate The Heated Wheel In A Honda Accord?
Look for a button with the indicator of a steering wheel plus a wavy heat line or red/orange color. This activates the heating elements to warm the wheel when driving your Touring/Elite Accord.
Is The Honda Accord’s Heated Steering Wheel Worth It?
Absolutely – for drivers in colder climates, a heated steering wheel makes winter commutes drastically more comfortable and enjoyable. No more ice cold fingers gripping a frosty wheel!
Can I Retrofit An Older Honda Accord With A Heated Steering Wheel?
Yes you can! High-quality heated wheel covers and upgrade kits are available to add heated functionality into pretty much any car like older Accords lacking the feature from the factory.
Should You Turn Off The Honda Accord’s Heated Steering When Parking?
Yes, Honda recommends always turning off your Accord’s heated wheel to conserve battery when finished driving. The heating elements draw considerable power so leaving them active inadvertently may lead to dead batteries.
Conclusion
A heated steering wheel makes driving in frigid winter temperatures so much more pleasant and comfortable. Thankfully Honda Accord buyers can enjoy this great feature by choosing certain higher end Touring, Sport and Hybrid trimmed models. Remember to follow the proper operation guidelines for maximizing functionality and battery preservation. Stay cozy on those icy morning commutes! ❄️
Also Read:
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- Why Is My Battery Light On In My Honda Accord?
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