SL/R231: Steering wheel too hot to touch
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Steering wheel too hot to touch
Yesterday my wife was out and about in our SL400 and upon returning to the parked car discovered the steering wheel was blistering hot. I noted a similar problem today after golf. Do you all keep oven mitts in your car during the warmer summer months? 
When I had my C6 Corvette, I bought a California Pop Top to cover the windows and keep the heat out. I see they make one for the SL. Have any of you purchased one and if so, have you been satisfied with it? I believe WeatherTech also makes custom inside window covers to do the same job. While one for the windshield would seem to be easy to deal with, the Pop Top covers all of the windows and I would expect it to keep the inside of the car cooler.
When I had my C6 Corvette, I bought a California Pop Top to cover the windows and keep the heat out. I see they make one for the SL. Have any of you purchased one and if so, have you been satisfied with it? I believe WeatherTech also makes custom inside window covers to do the same job. While one for the windshield would seem to be easy to deal with, the Pop Top covers all of the windows and I would expect it to keep the inside of the car cooler.
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
I’ve had all the windows tinted to the max allowed by Texas law in all my vehicles and have had no problems. We run in the high 90’s to over a 100F all Summer long.
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Yesterday my wife was out and about in our SL400 and upon returning to the parked car discovered the steering wheel was blistering hot. I noted a similar problem today after golf. Do you all keep oven mitts in your car during the warmer summer months? When I had my C6 Corvette, I bought a California Pop Top to cover the windows and keep the heat out. I see they make one for the SL. Have any of you purchased one and if so, have you been satisfied with it? I believe WeatherTech also makes custom inside window covers to do the same job. While one for the windshield would seem to be easy to deal with, the Pop Top covers all of the windows and I would expect it to keep the inside of the car cooler.
When I had my C6 Corvette, I bought a California Pop Top to cover the windows and keep the heat out. I see they make one for the SL. Have any of you purchased one and if so, have you been satisfied with it? I believe WeatherTech also makes custom inside window covers to do the same job. While one for the windshield would seem to be easy to deal with, the Pop Top covers all of the windows and I would expect it to keep the inside of the car cooler.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 697
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From: Illinois
S560/SL550/LS460/Q70L 5.6 AWD
I only have a OEM one for the windshield, it does a nice job, we also have one in each vehicle, the other vehicles have also rear automatic shades which are always up.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Last time I tinted windows, I couldn't see to back my car into the garage, so I may need to pass on this solution. If I decide on a windshield sun blocker, I would want one made specifically to fit our car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
My SL came with a rear view camera and I have a central mark on the back wall in all six bays of my garage so I just watch the screen and back in centrally to the mark. Easy peasy....😊
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Sounds like you have the right set-up. I have a rear view camera but have not figured out what it is showing me when I back into my garage. I do best just looking at the walls and rear view mirrors. The park assist beebs are going off long before I get into place, because I am close to the wall on my right side and the system seems to think I am going to hit it. Only by backing in close to the wall on the right can I get parked and still be able to get out of the driver side door. It is a tight fit for both cars and all the other stuff we have in our garage.
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
When I make the mistake of not putting my windshield cover in the car when I head to the golf course, I keep a microfiber cloth in the console, and just pull it out and lay it over the steering wheel. If I don't do that, yep, it's a hot one when you get back into the car.
