Hello to everybody here! I just bought a new 2025 GLS 450D that was in stock at the dealer. For some stupid reason, whoever configured the car forgot about the heated steering wheel option (it would have cost just $250). It has heated seats front and back, heated armrest etc etc, just such a useful (for me) and cheap option was skipped. So frustrating!
Now I must retrofit the option somehow, but without buying a new OEM steering wheel, which costs waaay too much. As I see, there are a few options:
A. I have a universal heating kit like this one . The problem is how do I pass the power wire from the car body to the steering wheel? As I know, the clock spring is all about airbag + digital connections, I seem to lack a free pin to use it as a 12V supply to the steering wheel heater. The negative / ground is already on the steering wheel. I have seen online clock springs for the OEM heated steering wheel, but they seem to look the same as my actual clock spring.
B. To buy a used, heated, steering wheel, from which I only keep the core and replace the used buttons, airbag (if it is present) and leather (if it can be done) with the ones from my new car. Or maybe transplant the old heating element from the used wheel to my steering wheel, if this is possible. Also I should buy a new clock spring and control button. And also program the new feature into the computers.
Is there a third option? My first choice would be A, but how to I pass one wire from the body to the steering wheel?
I believe RJ Automotive can do that. They advertise a heated wheel option if you get the AMG Drive button upfit. He did my ILS and a couple other mods.
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