Retrofit Heated Steeering Wheel?
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I know for sure that it will require more than just the steering wheel. The ring with the shift lever, turn signal, and cruise stalks would have to be swapped out too. It may also require more wiring and programming to get it to work. Not likely worth all of the cost involved. Driving gloves are cheaper.
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From: OH
s55K / s550 4Matic / GX470 / A8L /
yes if it requires all of that its def not worth it, i have heated steering wheel in mine and man do i love it during cold days but its one of those things i when you get used to it you want it, i had in my previous s500 and thats why it was a must have on my list of options on my s550
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S350 BT 4MATIC
Yeah, my car warms up very quickly, but my jeep has this feature and it is fantastic on freezing mornings LOL!. On the 2012s, it definitely would require the wheel, signal stalk, Distronic stalk, wiring, and some coding to ensure everything is working properly. COMAND might also require an update to add the feature's controls. Another feature I wish my car had is the capability to respond to texts using my voice - oh well, I guess I will have to get it all on the next car.
Last edited by Nuru; Mar 6, 2016 at 05:52 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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S350 BT 4MATIC
I know for sure that it will require more than just the steering wheel. The ring with the shift lever, turn signal, and cruise stalks would have to be swapped out too. It may also require more wiring and programming to get it to work. Not likely worth all of the cost involved. Driving gloves are cheaper.
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
Already checked into it. Some cars the wood and leather is heated. Not with Mercedes! The only portion that's heated is the leather only. I never hold the leather. I'm a fan of wood. Also, this would cost around $1,500.
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S350 BT 4MATIC
Oh I would use my sources for parts and I would drop that estimate considerably, as like the Factiry Fridge and NAV units I have retrofitted, I would do most of it myself, and go to well-connected indi to get the codding done or my local dealer as they have been very helpful in the past. Whomever is less expensive.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
For 07-13 S class from a review online about heated steering wheel option:
"The only thing that felt like a tacked-on afterthought was the optional heated steering wheel. Mercedes puts a wooden steering wheel in the S-Class, but if you get it, only the two leather swatches on the outside of the wheel will heat up. To warm your digits, you’ve got to keep your hands on the leather at exactly 3 and 9 o’clock – a position that I don’t find comfortable."
Thought I'd add something funny. Still, even in the 14-17 S class, only the leather portion of the wheel is heated if you get the optional heated wheel. In that car it's every worse, as the only portion that is heated is the bottom leather only, which you never grab. Some quotes from w222 forum.
For all those with a w221 and wanted the whole wheel to heat... Rumor is for 2018, the WHOLE wheel is now finally HEATED with that option. Only took 10 years for them to get it right, lol.
"The only thing that felt like a tacked-on afterthought was the optional heated steering wheel. Mercedes puts a wooden steering wheel in the S-Class, but if you get it, only the two leather swatches on the outside of the wheel will heat up. To warm your digits, you’ve got to keep your hands on the leather at exactly 3 and 9 o’clock – a position that I don’t find comfortable."
Thought I'd add something funny. Still, even in the 14-17 S class, only the leather portion of the wheel is heated if you get the optional heated wheel. In that car it's every worse, as the only portion that is heated is the bottom leather only, which you never grab. Some quotes from w222 forum.
Yes. It is pretty dumb, but we have had some very cold (for us) nights here recently, getting down into the 30's & 40's and when my hands are at 10 & 2, the steering wheel feels like it just came out of the deep freeze. I guess they can't do heat under the wood because of the finish?
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From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
I'm going to attempt this retrofit. I managed to get a good deal on a heated steering wheel in excellent condition that matches my cars color code and it looks like all that is required is to replace the wheel(A 221 460 0403 8L41), the tilt switch(A 164 540 3145) and code it with Star.
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
I'm going to attempt this retrofit. I managed to get a good deal on a heated steering wheel in excellent condition that matches my cars color code and it looks like all that is required is to replace the wheel(A 221 460 0403 8L41), the tilt switch(A 164 540 3145) and code it with Star.
Interesting. Is this the 2010+ style wood wheel? It has wood too?
If I remember, the heated wheel for the w221 can't be had in wood, or the wood part wouldn't be HEATED.
Thread Starter
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S350 BT 4MATIC
I'm going to attempt this retrofit. I managed to get a good deal on a heated steering wheel in excellent condition that matches my cars color code and it looks like all that is required is to replace the wheel(A 221 460 0403 8L41), the tilt switch(A 164 540 3145) and code it with Star.
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
I just read a review that says this on the w221:
"The only thing that felt like a tacked-on afterthought was the optional heated steering wheel. Mercedes puts a wooden steering wheel in the S-Class, but if you get it, only the two leather swatches on the outside of the wheel will heat up. To warm your digits, you’ve got to keep your hands on the leather at exactly 3 and 9 o’clock – a position that I don’t find comfortable."
That's not good.
"The only thing that felt like a tacked-on afterthought was the optional heated steering wheel. Mercedes puts a wooden steering wheel in the S-Class, but if you get it, only the two leather swatches on the outside of the wheel will heat up. To warm your digits, you’ve got to keep your hands on the leather at exactly 3 and 9 o’clock – a position that I don’t find comfortable."
That's not good.
Last edited by Jason B; Aug 31, 2018 at 08:27 PM.
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From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
Yeah, it's just the leather part, which is a shame because when it's cold you do want the whole steering wheel to be heated. I have this feature in my S430 and it's useful during the cold winter months. The wheel I was able to score is heated and I could just install it without the heater part connected but it looks pretty simple to hook it up. I'll keep you folks posted...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
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S350 BT 4MATIC
Yeah, it's just the leather part, which is a shame because when it's cold you do want the whole steering wheel to be heated. I have this feature in my S430 and it's useful during the cold winter months. The wheel I was able to score is heated and I could just install it without the heater part connected but it looks pretty simple to hook it up. I'll keep you folks posted...
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S550
Yeah, it's just the leather part, which is a shame because when it's cold you do want the whole steering wheel to be heated. I have this feature in my S430 and it's useful during the cold winter months. The wheel I was able to score is heated and I could just install it without the heater part connected but it looks pretty simple to hook it up. I'll keep you folks posted...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
No, it's a rare option than most don't have, but remember, the only part that HEATS are the side leather pieces, and not the wood.
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S550
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From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
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From: Estonia
2003 SL 500 AMG / 2006 S 500 AMG / 1992 560 SEC / 1998 CL 500
Dear EasyPhil,
Did You manage to do the swap?
I am in the middle of same retorfitting fro my CL216.
When I look the original EPC for my C216, it shows me:
1) Install a heated steering wheel A221 .... This is logical.
2) Install the steering column switch with steering heater switch A1645403145 Again, very logical.
3) Install new steering column clock spring A1714641018. (replacement part number, older part number A1714640618) That purpose I can't understand!
They look absolutely indentical, clock spring with/without heataed steering. I can undestand that the power consumption is higher, probabaly more powerful wiring inside.
4) And now the tricky part - To install new rear SAM A 2215452916. Basically impossible to find. You mentioned, that You have Night-vision and by that this retrofit should be easier.
My car also have N/V, but EPC still shows the need for change.
I would preciate if You can share Your experience!
Didi You manage to do the retrofit without swapping SAM?
With greetings from Estonia,
Did You manage to do the swap?
I am in the middle of same retorfitting fro my CL216.
When I look the original EPC for my C216, it shows me:
1) Install a heated steering wheel A221 .... This is logical.
2) Install the steering column switch with steering heater switch A1645403145 Again, very logical.
3) Install new steering column clock spring A1714641018. (replacement part number, older part number A1714640618) That purpose I can't understand!
They look absolutely indentical, clock spring with/without heataed steering. I can undestand that the power consumption is higher, probabaly more powerful wiring inside.
4) And now the tricky part - To install new rear SAM A 2215452916. Basically impossible to find. You mentioned, that You have Night-vision and by that this retrofit should be easier.
My car also have N/V, but EPC still shows the need for change.
I would preciate if You can share Your experience!
Didi You manage to do the retrofit without swapping SAM?
With greetings from Estonia,
