Heated Steering Wheel work without option?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,220
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From: Marineland FL
'27 EQG deposit, '22 F8 Spyder, '20 Fat Boy
Heated Steering Wheel work without option?
Will a heated steering wheel work in a vehicle that was not ordered with a heated wheel? I know that the heat function will not work but I want to know if everything else will work, without any error messages.
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From: Colorado
G550
With the number of different steering wheel configuration and trim options that are offered, and that the heated steering wheel option is spec'd separately and available with any of them, I've always suspected that every steering wheel is assembled with the integral heating element, and that $250 buys you the column-mounted heater activation control. If this is the case, a heated steering wheel should be interchangable with a vehicle lacking the activation control. This is however speculation, not proven. Side by side inspection of heated and non-heated steering wheels would be conclusive.
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993 TT
With the number of different steering wheel configuration and trim options that are offered, and that the heated steering wheel option is spec'd separately and available with any of them, I've always suspected that every steering wheel is assembled with the integral heating element, and that $250 buys you the column-mounted heater activation control. If this is the case, a heated steering wheel should be interchangable with a vehicle lacking the activation control. This is however speculation, not proven. Side by side inspection of heated and non-heated steering wheels would be conclusive.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
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I would say all of the heating elements are in the wheels already and they just enable it when you buy in (as other makes do), however, if the stalk is all that's required to enable the heat then whey would this option be unavailable if you have the sport toggles. There must be reason having to do with the wiring or capacity of the wheel
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 470
From: Marineland FL
'27 EQG deposit, '22 F8 Spyder, '20 Fat Boy
No, I did not, and after they ordered 4 Zen wheels, of which none matched, they gave up so we are working on another option. They just recently told me that the flat-bottomed Blue/Black wheel is not compatible so I want to try the round Blue/Black but it is heated only. If that does not work I will have to settle for the standard all Black flat bottomed AMG wheel but they will owe me $600 since that is what the Zen wheel option cost. MBUSA offered me a voucher for my next vehicle purchase but I told them no!
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
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model 3
I would say all of the heating elements are in the wheels already and they just enable it when you buy in (as other makes do), however, if the stalk is all that's required to enable the heat then whey would this option be unavailable if you have the sport toggles. There must be reason having to do with the wiring or capacity of the wheel
You can enable heating if you purchase a steering wheel with the heated function. You may need to code your car to enable heating.
It is also possible to have agility control buttons as well as heating (an option mercedes does not offer as a configuration) as long as you code your car.
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A gaggle of MB's
You can't "code" a MB to add heated steering wheel.
In modern manufacturing - the wire harness for a specific G (or about any MB really) is manufactured (by "wire robots" actually) to accommodate " ONLY those specific features ordered for that G (MB).
From Sustainability/Efficiency standpoint - that's the way it's been for quite a while now.
In modern manufacturing - the wire harness for a specific G (or about any MB really) is manufactured (by "wire robots" actually) to accommodate " ONLY those specific features ordered for that G (MB).
From Sustainability/Efficiency standpoint - that's the way it's been for quite a while now.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 40
Likes: 7
model 3
You can't "code" a MB to add heated steering wheel.
In modern manufacturing - the wire harness for a specific G (or about any MB really) is manufactured (by "wire robots" actually) to accommodate " ONLY those specific features ordered for that G (MB).
From Sustainability/Efficiency standpoint - that's the way it's been for quite a while now.
In modern manufacturing - the wire harness for a specific G (or about any MB really) is manufactured (by "wire robots" actually) to accommodate " ONLY those specific features ordered for that G (MB).
From Sustainability/Efficiency standpoint - that's the way it's been for quite a while now.
There are two types of steering wheels. Heated and non-heated.
You have to first purchase the heated steering wheel, replace it and then code the car so that the heated option is available.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
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G
Cool
This is not really true. The cars all have many bus systems, CANbus, Flexray, LIN bus. The main wiring harness in these cars are all the same.
All you need to do is plug into the correct bus, when retrofitting you just plug it into the free bus slots, as there are many free slots. (Think of it like unused USB slots).
If you purchase the heated steering, there's no extra wiring needed, as it is controlled by the steering canbus, which is already present in the steering module for other functions. You only have to run 1 extra wire to the body control module If your car does not have an electrically adjustable steering column.
After this you just do the coding.
We have done it many times, and we retrofit many different items to MB vehicles.
Check out our website below
rjautomotive.net
All you need to do is plug into the correct bus, when retrofitting you just plug it into the free bus slots, as there are many free slots. (Think of it like unused USB slots).
If you purchase the heated steering, there's no extra wiring needed, as it is controlled by the steering canbus, which is already present in the steering module for other functions. You only have to run 1 extra wire to the body control module If your car does not have an electrically adjustable steering column.
After this you just do the coding.
We have done it many times, and we retrofit many different items to MB vehicles.
Check out our website below
rjautomotive.net
Can this be done remotely for heated wheel as well? Obviously the wire will need to be in place, per your specs. I have adjustable wheel, just not the heating button, which is a chap part. Would love to do this. Any additional info appreciated.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Volvo XC90
You can't "code" a MB to add heated steering wheel.
In modern manufacturing - the wire harness for a specific G (or about any MB really) is manufactured (by "wire robots" actually) to accommodate " ONLY those specific features ordered for that G (MB).
From Sustainability/Efficiency standpoint - that's the way it's been for quite a while now.
In modern manufacturing - the wire harness for a specific G (or about any MB really) is manufactured (by "wire robots" actually) to accommodate " ONLY those specific features ordered for that G (MB).
From Sustainability/Efficiency standpoint - that's the way it's been for quite a while now.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 40
Likes: 7
model 3
I think he misunderstood what I said.
If you don't have the heating option, you cannot code it in. But if you replace the non-heated steering wheel with a heated steering wheel, you can enable it by coding your mercedes.
It works fine as many of my friends have done it.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Volvo XC90
Yes you can..
I think he misunderstood what I said.
If you don't have the heating option, you cannot code it in. But if you replace the non-heated steering wheel with a heated steering wheel, you can enable it by coding your mercedes.
It works fine as many of my friends have done it.
I think he misunderstood what I said.
If you don't have the heating option, you cannot code it in. But if you replace the non-heated steering wheel with a heated steering wheel, you can enable it by coding your mercedes.
It works fine as many of my friends have done it.
