Anyone upgrade to heated steering wheel?

[Rdr854]

Went to the dealer to have this done and the answer was a resounding no since it is not an accessory that can be retrofitted.

It involves a replacement of the clock spring and apparently other parts that are different. My concern would be loss of product liability protection against the manufacturer if there was a collision and the airbag failed to go off or if the airbag deployed when it was not supposed to. All GM would have to claim is that the addition of the heated steering wheel was the cause of the airbag failure even if the installation was correct.

As much as I would like a heated wheel, it is just not worth the risk.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

Thats a great video - very concise. I have decided to bite the bullet after finding the connector present on my pretty much base LT (good news for all who want this). I got the wheel and clockspring for $185 total off ebay. I will post my results after I dive in later this week...

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[K2 Kaiju]

Success! Plug n play on my non-lux LT. If you have a 15-17, make sure you get version 1 clock spring. My 18 needed version 2. Of course I ordered wrong one first, and spent 2 hours trying to fit a square plug in round hole. Once I got the right part, I did the whole thing in 30 min. I originally had trouble with the airbag (thinking it may go off), but I had it out in 5 minutes this time. Also, original clockspring goes way up into dash and over top to plug; easier to just cut it and reroute new one. Mmmmm warm...

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[Doubeleive]

Went to the dealer to have this done and the answer was a resounding no since it is not an accessory that can be retrofitted.

It involves a replacement of the clock spring and apparently other parts that are different. My concern would be loss of product liability protection against the manufacturer if there was a collision and the airbag failed to go off or if the airbag deployed when it was not supposed to. All GM would have to claim is that the addition of the heated steering wheel was the cause of the airbag failure even if the installation was correct.

As much as I would like a heated wheel, it is just not worth the risk.

you are worried about nothing, people do this all the time just because the dealer wouldn't do it doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't or make it any less safe, the simple fact is the vehicle "trim" you chose not to buy is in every one of these with heated steering wheels all you have to do is change parts, no different than buying a different brand of tires or brake pads

 

[K2 Kaiju]

you are worried about nothing, people do this all the time just because the dealer wouldn't do it doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't or make it any less safe, the simple fact is the vehicle "trim" you chose not to buy is in every one of these with heated steering wheels all you have to do is change parts, no different than buying a different brand of tires or brake pads

I agree. This is obviously a common option that chevy has "ready to add" so to speak since my plug was wired and hot. Just 2 different OEM parts - clockspring and wheel - that are stock on the higher option vehicles...

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[Rdr854]

Logically, it would appear that it should work as you have described above, but we all know with these computer controlled vehicles that things can happen. For me it’s a matter of managing risk and making sure that GM cannot get out of product liability law suite if something were to go awry.

While I would love a heated steering wheel in my truck, the fact of the matter is that the dealer will not sell or install the required parts because GM said so. Thus, at this point, this is not an accessory that is “ready to add”. That said, for me, the potential harm of injury or death from an airbag failure is far worse than a cold steering wheel during the winter months.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

Logically, it would appear that it should work as you have described above, but we all know with these computer controlled vehicles that things can happen. For me it’s a matter of managing risk and making sure that GM cannot get out of product liability law suite if something were to go awry.

While I would love a heated steering wheel in my truck, the fact of the matter is that the dealer will not sell or install the required parts because GM said so. Thus, at this point, this is not an accessory that is “ready to add”. That said, for me, the potential harm of injury or death from an airbag failure is far worse than a cold steering wheel during the winter months.

I take it you are a litigator? Life is way too short to base my decisions on product liability lawsuit protections that may or may not be available if I wreck my truck. You must rule out changing tire brands, using non gm oil, tinting windows, or pretty much any modification whatsoever. If anything, my hands are better equipped for evasive maneuvers when warm and ungloved in the wintertime [emoji16]. Will high dollar GM lawyers use your gloved hands against you?

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[HiHoeSilver]

If anything, my hands are better equipped for evasive maneuvers when warm and ungloved in the wintertime [emoji16]. Will high dollar GM lawyers use your gloved hands against you?

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They can try....

 

[Rdr854]

I take it you are a litigator? Life is way too short to base my decisions on product liability lawsuit protections that may or may not be available if I wreck my truck. You must rule out changing tire brands, using non gm oil, tinting windows, or pretty much any modification whatsoever. If anything, my hands are better equipped for evasive maneuvers when warm and ungloved in the wintertime [emoji16]. Will high dollar GM lawyers use your gloved hands against you?

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I am an attorney, but not a trial attorney. I have run fire and rescue since the 1980s and have seen plenty of motor vehicle collisions over the years. And, I have personally been saved by an airbag as a passenger.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

I am an attorney, but not a trial attorney. I have run fire and rescue since the 1980s and have seen plenty of motor vehicle collisions over the years. And, I have personally been saved by an airbag as a passenger.

Thats cool, its in your wheelhouse to see things from that perspective. I personally feel seatbelts > airbags in injury reduction. In the end, its most likely one will be dealing with the insurance company in an accident, and my setup is technically stock. Proving GM being at fault - even with a faulty airbag - would be a monumental task for anyone. For now ill just keep my mitts warm, and roll the dice on this alternative OEM setup...

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