Hello,

 

Although the Octavia I purchased is generally in great condition, sadly the steering wheel shows signs of wear on the right hand side. 

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for restoring it. Can it be done without removing it from the car?

 

Thanks,

Not sure what’s happened to that? Is too old or not eligible for a warranty repair? If not then they are not overly expensive from Skoda apparently. The alcantara vRS one is £190 with new buttons which you don’t need so it’d be possible to upgrade to a nice flat bottom wheel and you’ll have that one and a set of buttons to sell to get some money back  If you don’t wanna spend that much, try eBay.

Thanks, it’s 2015. I also have two year warranty with the purchase but not sure if it covers the steering wheel. I think it’s just been left in the sun, not sure though. There is no wear on the left side. 

Edited 1 September, 20187 yr by JimmyN

It’s worth a try I suppose, but there are many outlets for new steering wheels and there are plenty of finishes to choose from. Leather is good as is the Alcantara one and you could chose another round one or flat bottom, probably not much difference in price

Ewww. Looks like dirt build up from a greasy palm.

 

Try a bit of soapy water on a clean paper kitchen towel. If it turns black after a few wipes, it’s just filth!

 

Is there a corresponding elbow mark on the top of the drivers door casing about 150mm in front of the alarm led light?

It was like that when you bought it was it not so why would the 2 year warranty be of any use, you have what you bought as you bought it.

It was then you should have pointed out to the seller / dealer, can you sort that out please.

Now it is down to you if it cleans up or if you replace the wheel, plenty available in for Sales or place a wanted ad.

Do you know who owned it before you? It has the hallmarks of something being clamped around the wheel rim, maybe for mobility reasons?

 

Unfortunately I don't think you're going to be able to restore that. So you would be looking at a steering wheel replacement.

 

The only time I've seen something like that, was on an ex-Mobility car that had a hand control fitted.

 

e.g.

 

Thanks, yeah in hindsight, it should have been something to mention to the dealer. However a rookie mistake of not really noticing it being so bad on the test drive,  since I usually place my hands lower down and wouldn’t have felt it. Now it’s just annoying me. 

Is it easy to replace? If so, are there any how to guides anywhere? Thanks. 

As already mentioned looks like a build up or dirt/grease,try a bit of white spirit and then soapy water,reminded me of my old works van!

Mine is an ex-Motability car and has exactly the same damage at the top centre of the wheel, caused by a manual steering knob clamped to it as per the photograph above.

 

( I was aware of the car’s history and price reflected it)

After a bit of a clean with some

soapy water it has improved, a lot of the bubbles surface came off as black so it could have been a grease dirt build up l, although it does look like it’s affected the leather. Didn’t want to scrub too hard in case I damaged the leather any further. 

 

Its better than than it was but it’s not smooth as it should be. 

Just whilst I am on the topic of steering wheels. Does anyone know what the button which has a car with lines around it does? You can see it in my first photo above the phone call symbol. The manual online says "Display the assistance systems menu" but when I press it nothing happens. Is this for something I don't have activated perhaps?

I would continue cleaning with a fine toothbrush/soapy water then apply leather cleaner

3 hours ago, JimmyN said:

Just whilst I am on the topic of steering wheels. Does anyone know what the button which has a car with lines around it does? You can see it in my first photo above the phone call symbol. The manual online says "Display the assistance systems menu" but when I press it nothing happens. Is this for something I don't have activated perhaps?

It's the lane assist button. If you have Lane Assist specced on your car, the rear view mirror will be hanging from a huge module containing a forward facing camera attached to the screen which is almost as wide as the mirror itself.

 

Try some Dr Leather wipes, they work really well, but be prepared to be grossed out by the colour of the first couple as they pull the previous owner’s DNA off that wheel 

Erm I have this...

 

just reading about it here http://assistants.skoda-auto.com/#octavia. If I have driver assistance, do I have any of these features? Sorry completely clueless as I’ve gone from a none techy 2005 car to a 2015 and this is all new to me. It’s an SE model btw. 

Edited 2 September, 20187 yr by JimmyN

2 minutes ago, Cubbington said:

Try some Dr Leather wipes, they work really well, but be prepared to be grossed out by the colour of the first couple as they pull the previous owner’s DNA off that wheel 

 

It looks to me like I’ve taken the top smooth layer of the leather off just by scrubbing with soap and water. A bit reluctant to go any further with it in case I cause any more damage . 

It shows you what driver assist systems you have active. If you had lane assist, the menu for that would come up as well. Even though it looks like the button to make the car shake water off it like a dog  

46 minutes ago, JimmyN said:

 

It looks to me like I’ve taken the top smooth layer of the leather off just by scrubbing with soap and water. A bit reluctant to go any further with it in case I cause any more damage . 

 

Yep, thought as much too looking at the pic, sorry to hear you’ve confirmed it...

 

The wipes I mentioned are gentle (don’t use hard pressure), so may be worth a go, even if they just blend the damage in a bit...if it’s wrecked already, what have you got to lose?

 

Otherwise, refurb as you said. There’s Royal Steering Wheels: http://royalsteeringwheels.com/ 

 

They get good reviews, and a mate of mine got the wheel of his ‘05 X5 done with perforated leather, and the quality is exceptional.

 

Or, as Sashagrace alluded to, a new wheel’s not that expensive in the grand scheme of things, and you could probably still get a few bob for yours on eBay...

 

Cheers,

 

Nick

17 minutes ago, SashaGrace said:

It shows you what driver assist systems you have active. If you had lane assist, the menu for that would come up as well. Even though it looks like the button to make the car shake water off it like a dog  

 

Yeah it’s a bit of a weird symbol. I thought it was something to do with the rain sensor at first . So pressing it brings up diddly squat, so I guess I don’t have any of it? It’s there for show. Is the driver alert system a different feature? What does that do? 

 

Thanks,

Edited 2 September, 20187 yr by JimmyN

7 minutes ago, Cubbington said:

 

Yep, thought as much too looking at the pic, sorry to hear you’ve confirmed it...

 

The wipes I mentioned are gentle (don’t use hard pressure), so may be worth a go, even if they just blend the damage in a bit...if it’s wrecked already, what have you got to lose?

 

Otherwise, refurb as you said. There’s Royal Steering Wheels: http://royalsteeringwheels.com/ 

 

They get good reviews, and a mate of mine got the wheel of his ‘05 X5 done with perforated leather, and the quality is exceptional.

 

Or, as Sashagrace alluded to, a new wheel’s not that expensive in the grand scheme of things, and you could probably still get a few bob for yours on eBay...

 

Cheers,

 

Nick

 

Thanks I may try the wipes as you say. Just to try and smooth it a bit so it’s comfy on the hand. It looks worse in the photo to be honest but it’s far less bumpy than it was before. 

 

Noticed the gear knob also suffers the same fate but have seen others on the forum have this issue as well. Poor leather I guess.

Cool, and hope it helps...something like that would bug the hell out of me!

 

cheers,

 

Nick

3 hours ago, JimmyN said:

 

Yeah it’s a bit of a weird symbol. I thought it was something to do with the rain sensor at first . So pressing it brings up diddly squat, so I guess I don’t have any of it? It’s there for show. Is the driver alert system a different feature? What does that do? 

 

Thanks,

The driver alert system is just a little coffee cup that comes up to remind you to stop and take a break. It comes on when certain parameters are met but I’ve never seen it come up on my car and I’ve always had the system switched on. As mine is MY14 I don’t have that button on the steering wheel, the voice control button is there on mine

There was a thread a while back on detailing world where the guy had bought a kit which has sandpaper and removes the top layer of the steering wheel then it has a coating to re-coat the leather over the top.

 

Personally Id just try and find a replacement wheel or maybe get a re-cover by these guys if its cheaper?  - http://royalsteeringwheels.com