Leather cracking on steering wheel

[Gus23J]

Another problem with my car... yay!

My leather is cracking severely on my steering wheel and it's all over the wheel. I did my best to get it on camera, but my dealership says I damaged the wheel with a ring or a fingernail. I ALWAYS keep my nails short, never wear jewelry, and this is all over the wheel. Is anyone else having their leather steering wheel cracking? I only have 13,000 miles!

 

[NS_Stinger]

Im almost positive that's damage from a ring. I've seen it before because ive created that exact kind of damage on several cars in the past with my wedding ring. Do you wear a wedding ring or does anyone that drives your car wear one?

 

[Gus23J]

Im almost positive that's damage from a ring. I've seen it before because ive created that exact kind of damage on several cars in the past with my wedding ring. Do you wear a wedding ring or does anyone that drives your car wear one?

I’ve never worn a ring and I’m the only one who drives my car.

 

[Kamauxx]

I've mistakenly made those marks on my steering wheel in other cars. It was always caused by my fingernails, which I keep really short.

You don't have to have claws for that to happen to a leather steering wheel, OP.

I agree with your dealership. Those marks aren't any type of defect.

 

[eflyguy]

It does look like fingernail scrapes, I've had that myself (and I know I caused it..)

You might try some leather repair or conditioning product(s)

 

[moinmoin]

I got this one in black and like it. It works with the heated steering wheel.
Experience tells me, that ALL leather covered steering wheels sooner or later show sun or hand (sweat) damage.
Before this even becomes an issue, slip one of those on for $8+ and be safe....

HuiER Silicone Car Steering Wheel Cover Anti slip 36 40CM/14.2" 15.7" Car Styling Steering wheel Car Auto Steering Wheel Cover-in Steering Covers from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

 

[Kamauxx]

I got this one in black and like it. It works with the heated steering wheel.
Experience tells me, that ALL leather covered steering wheels sooner or later show sun or hand (sweat) damage.
Before this even becomes an issue, slip one of those on for $8+ and be safe....

HuiER Silicone Car Steering Wheel Cover Anti slip 36 40CM/14.2" 15.7" Car Styling Steering wheel Car Auto Steering Wheel Cover-in Steering Covers from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

I think the damage from finger nails looks better.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think the damage from finger nails looks better.

My instant reaction.
I'd be putting Hubbard's Shoe Grease or oil on my steering wheel if I start seeing marks like the OP's. That stuff helps preserve stitching life too. Heck, I may just put it on because I like the look, feel and smell of the stuff.

 

[NS_Stinger]

You could always swap in this oem alcantara wheel from Korea if it annoys you that much.

Kia Stinger Genuine OEM Alcantara D-Cut Steering Wheel

 

[GRStinger]

I’ve never worn a ring and I’m the only one who drives my car.

Are you SURE you're the only one driving the car??? Just kidding!
Seriously, I don't know what it is but that is not leather cracking.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Definitely not cracking & if you don’t wear a ring do you drive with a drink/coffee mug or anything else you may hold in your hand against the wheel while driving.

 

[eflyguy]

I've got it! Wear gloves!

 

[westcoastGT]

my dealer scratched my steering wheel ( who knows how ?? ) and they replaced it from a car in the showroom

 

[SilverNitr8]

Have you gotten the car serviced? If the damage is not caused by the OP, it could be from other people driving your car while in service.

 

[ChiDoc]

I'm getting cracking on the shift knob.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I'm getting cracking on the shift knob.

Take it in. They’ll replace it. Like a 2 minute job.

Then soak that thing in leather conditioner weekly.

 

[eflyguy]

Then soak that thing in leather conditioner weekly.

That should not be necessary..

 

[TimT]

I bought my Stinger about 3 weeks ago, was a demo car for the official representative in Estonia. A few days ago I noticed that similar damage was on the wheel. In a short space this is the second wheel I've ruined (previous was a short-term rental while going from one car to another).
We checked it out with the Kia dealership guy and discovered that it was the side pocket zipper on my autumn jacket that connects with the bottom sides of the wheel when I climb out of the car, since I'm a pretty big lad for anything that is not a SUV.
Dealership still gonna try and get it changed under warranty.

 

[westcoastGT]

I bought my Stinger about 3 weeks ago, was a demo car for the official representative in Estonia. A few days ago I noticed that similar damage was on the wheel. In a short space this is the second wheel I've ruined (previous was a short-term rental while going from one car to another).
We checked it out with the Kia dealership guy and discovered that it was the side pocket zipper on my autumn jacket that connects with the bottom sides of the wheel when I climb out of the car, since I'm a pretty big lad for anything that is not a SUV.
Dealership still gonna try and get it changed under warranty.

might want to think about a wheel cover or wrapping it ??

 

[TimT]

might want to think about a wheel cover or wrapping it ??

Any good suggestions for that? The rubber one posted earlier in the topic looks terrible. I'd still want it to be leather / fake leather.