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I'm a new owner of a C7. The flat bottom steering wheel on my 2017 Grand Sport LT2 is a hard material and "slick" so it slips in my hands. I'm quite surprised that the wheel is made with a pretty hard material. I don't have this problem on my wife's Grand Cherokee or my Super Duty pickup. Why a ultra high performance sports car would be built with a hard, rather slick steering wheel is a mystery to me. See photo.
Back in the day we used to buy steering wheel covers for our MGs, Healeys, Jags, Alfas and the like. The steering wheels on these '60s and '70 sports cars were wood or plastic. The idea was to increase the cross section diameter of the wheel a bit and greatly improve the grip. Some of us had driving gloves instead, but they are a bit of a pain.
I bet you experienced C7 owners have found maybe an aftermarket cover that feels right and looks good. Advice is welcome. Or you you can think I'm crazy.
I'd certainly not consider my '18 Stingray wheel "hard and slick," but that said it's not the squishy textured wheel of my Ram. You may wish to consider an aftermarket replacement because I doubt there's anything "wrong" with yours; just not what you are expecting or accustomed to. However, it might not hurt to wash yours with mild soap and water... I'd recommend Ivory. All the best and enjoy... despite.
Hello Avanti: And thanks for the advice. I will try cleaning the steering wheel as it may be impregnated with dirt and grime and skin oils. Right now it just doesn't have the "friction" between hand and wheel that I'm used to or desire in my C7.
Your aviator is interesting to me. Three years ago I was at Bonneville and watch for the first time the speed trials. Maybe you were there. I was lucky to be in the Volk Brothers Racing pits and got to see first hand the preparation and results analysis of a record attempt. They were running a C motor '32 Ford roadster, Car #59. They hold several speed records. It isn't a great spectator sport, but the engineering that goes into a "fast hot rod" is quite involved. So is the driving, maybe especially the driving. We hear the salt this summer is the best it has been in years. Maybe records will fall this August. Attending the Bonneville event should be on a motorhead's bucket list. I think the participants are trying to answer the question "who built the fastest hot rod?"
Congrats on your newly purchased C7. Perhaps the last owner/dealer, where ever you bought it, put a leather conditioner or other product on the wheel. I did that once as a new owner and the wheel was slippery. Never did that again. Clean it and maybe it will feel right.
The steering wheel on my '17 GS felt just like any other wrapped wheel of vehicles I've driven over the years. Not slick at all.
Yours does look a little odd thought compared to mine. May just be the photo.
I'm a new owner of a C7. The flat bottom steering wheel on my 2017 Grand Sport LT2 is a hard material and "slick" so it slips in my hands. I'm quite surprised that the wheel is made with a pretty hard material. I don't have this problem on my wife's Grand Cherokee or my Super Duty pickup. Why a ultra high performance sports car would be built with a hard, rather slick steering wheel is a mystery to me. See photo.
Back in the day we used to buy steering wheel covers for our MGs, Healeys, Jags, Alfas and the like. The steering wheels on these '60s and '70 sports cars were wood or plastic. The idea was to increase the cross section diameter of the wheel a bit and greatly improve the grip. Some of us had driving gloves instead, but they are a bit of a pain.
I bet you experienced C7 owners have found maybe an aftermarket cover that feels right and looks good. Advice is welcome. Or you you can think I'm crazy.
David
I maybe totally wrong. But is your wheel suede wrapped? I wonder slipping feel is from worn out suede? If you can show a close up pic of the surface, we will see it better, I guess.
Noticing how the seat leather reflecting on the flash is not the same as the wheel. It could be the wheel is suede and was poorly maintained. The leather wrapped ones should turn out the same in the pic as the rest of the leather on the seats and grip surprisingly well until you get it dirty with your sweat. My wheel is usually less grippy by the end of a 3 hr track session, but a simple wipe with a damp microfibre brings it back to normal grip levels.
Hey, now I'm getting more educated. User kevin A jones picture above of his wheel is a proper high performance steering wheel. Maybe yours looks the same. I wonder if mine had such a cover and it was removed by the pervious owner. The black detail on the "six o'clock" arm is the same as mine. I have the suede inserts in my seats and it feels soft, like mouse fur. It does not feel like my steering wheel. I will try to clean it today and report back. Maybe my wheel was wrapped, but I see no seams in it at all.
David
Update: Well I cleaned my steering wheel to no avail. Still hard and "slick". I asked Ms Google and learned that Corvette had optional leather wrap or suede wrap steering wheels. I believe I have the suede wrap. I've ordered a copy of the build sheet, but haven't received it yet. I believe I will select a leather wheel cover that fits and see if I like that better.
David
Last edited by dbj216; Jul 25, 2021 at 06:50 PM.
Reason: Update
Steering Wheel Slick
