Driver's Car? yes mostly

Shovelman · 02-06-2018, 06:50 PM

STEERING WHEEL
HEATING ACTIVATED

STEERING WHEEL
HEATING DEACTIVATED

These messages come up for only a second or two and they are small. If you want to know you have to take your eyes off the road just then, and refocus on something close and small.

There are several ways this could have been done better.

harma24 · 02-06-2018, 07:44 PM

Easiest solution is to wear gloves and not get a heated steering wheel.

But, if you have it, I would assume the warmth might be a clue that the steering wheel heating is activated without having to see a small, short notification.

emtrey · 02-06-2018, 09:36 PM

I have a 2013 335i w. heated steering wheel. Did not have any notification when I got the car. They programmed it in on a software update a couple of years ago.

It may not be the best setup but all you have to do is tap the button and it will reappear if you are unsure if its on or off. With the thick steering wheel in the M235/240 it does take a lot longer to feel warmth than in the sportline 335 so I do find the o n/ off reminder somewhat useful.

If they want to fix something that diminshes its drivers car status, fix the steering feel.

Cumberlandjames · 02-07-2018, 06:50 AM

Why worry about the message, you're selecting it on/off so you know what the message is. I use mine lots and its just not an issue. Lack of an oil temp gauge is more concerning and of more interest to me. The whole center display could be faulted for its small size but there isn't anything there that really demands the drivers attention.

Maynard · 02-07-2018, 07:31 AM

If you can't tell whether a heater is on or off, what good is a dash alert? Doesn't this mean the heater is basically a placebo? And unless you are driving your convertible with the top down (in Michigan Winter) concern for heated steering wheel is in another galaxie from 'drivers car' type concerns (just my opinion, and I don't have heated seats/wheel).

Ron Jeffries · 02-07-2018, 09:11 AM

the heated wheel isn’t instantly warm, and it gets hotter than one might prefer, so it’s useful to know it’s state. that said, if the situation is so intense as to preclude glancing down at the dash, it’s probably too intense to be letting go of the wheel and fumbling for the switch.

Sportstick · 02-07-2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

If you can't tell whether a heater is on or off, what good is a dash alert? Doesn't this mean the heater is basically a placebo? And unless you are driving your convertible with the top down (in Michigan Winter) concern for heated steering wheel is in another galaxie from 'drivers car' type concerns (just my opinion, and I don't have heated seats/wheel).

I assume it would help inform the driver of an inadvertant activation on a warmer day when the feeling of warmth might be masked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

the heated wheel isn’t instantly warm, and it gets hotter than one might prefer, so it’s useful to know it’s state. that said, if the situation is so intense as to preclude glancing down at the dash, it’s probably too intense to be letting go of the wheel and fumbling for the switch.

I have a different wheel on my 228i and a different experience. It warms up quite quickly but never goes beyond comfortably warm. This feature is one reason I won't swap out to a new/different aftermarket MSport wheel, as I understand the heating function is lost somehow.

BEM-S4 · 02-07-2018, 09:48 AM

I don't understand how this is an issue. You get in a cold car then immediately turn the heated wheel on before you even start driving. Once the car is warm or your hands are warm you turn it off. What am I missing? Maybe it's me but I've never once been driving along and said to myself wow my hands are suddenly cold, and I cannot tell if the heated wheel is on. Maybe I should check and make sure it's turned on.

BEM-S4 · 02-07-2018, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I have a different wheel on my 228i and a different experience. It warms up quite quickly but never goes beyond comfortably warm. This feature is one reason I won't swap out to a new/different aftermarket MSport wheel, as I understand the heating function is lost somehow.

You have the MSport wheel right? The only thing you can do and keep heat is to "upgrade" to the one that's on an ///M car that has heat, but for all intents and purposes it's the same exact thing but with tri color stitching. You're right if you go any of the other options you lose the heat.

XutvJet · 02-07-2018, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shovelman

STEERING WHEEL
HEATING ACTIVATED

STEERING WHEEL
HEATING DEACTIVATED

These messages come up for only a second or two and they are small. If you want to know you have to take your eyes off the road just then, and refocus on something close and small.

There are several ways this could have been done better.

Never once have I thought of this as a problem. Why are you screwing around with the wheel while driving? When it's cold, I get in, push the heated steering wheel and seat buttons and off I go. Once the wheel is warm, I turn it off. I don't need an on-going indicator in the cluster to tell my body that the wheel is/isn't heating.

nikman011 · 02-07-2018, 12:05 PM

Some kind of visual indication would be nice, like the seats, as I sometimes I can't remember if I turned the heated wheel off yet cause it is still warm, ....... cause I am old, ........ and then I feel like a fool turning it ON again when I meant to turn it off, ....... and cause I barely use the heated wheel feature, it causes me to look at cluster, but also I wear glasses, but not while I am driving, so I have to put those on, ...... what a mess I am, this why driving during the spring summer will be easier, no need to look at the cluster cause I am just driving fast, ....... but I am not complaining, cause I love my car

Tony88 · 02-07-2018, 12:13 PM

You guys do know there's a small "on" light on the heated steering wheel switch? Yes it's kinda hard to see in a driving position but it's there.

Sportstick · 02-07-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You have the MSport wheel right? The only thing you can do and keep heat is to "upgrade" to the one that's on an ///M car that has heat, but for all intents and purposes it's the same exact thing but with tri color stitching. You're right if you go any of the other options you lose the heat.

No...described as Sportline in 2015, not MSport. More heavily grained leather, not smooth like MSport. Whenever I've asked about going to an MSport wheel, the answer was that the heat would be lost, although I don't quite get why if MSport also offers heat.

BEM-S4 · 02-07-2018, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

No...described as Sportline in 2015, not MSport. More heavily grained leather, not smooth like MSport. Whenever I've asked about going to an MSport wheel, the answer was that the heat would be lost, although I don't quite get why if MSport also offers heat.

Huh - well that's weird.

If I upgrade my wheel to an ///M3 version (trying to confirm heat will be retained) I'll PM you. Can send you my old one to try out if you want.

beenthere1 · 02-07-2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony88

You guys do know there's a small "on" light on the heated steering wheel switch? Yes it's kinda hard to see in a driving position but it's there.

This is why the message comes up. The light is in a spot that requires you to really move your head.

I usually feel around for the button and hit it. Then, two minutes later; if I can't remember whether I hit it (because it takes a little while to heat up) I hit the button again to see what the dash says.

wayneholland4@yahoo.com · 02-07-2018, 12:42 PM

Is this dude really crying about a half a second notification saying your heating steering wheel is on? god what is this damn world coming too..

Sportstick · 02-07-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Huh - well that's weird.

If I upgrade my wheel to an ///M3 version (trying to confirm heat will be retained) I'll PM you. Can send you my old one to try out if you want.

02-06-2018, 06:50 PM	#1
Shovelman Lieutenant 243 Rep 525 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Driver's Car? yes mostly STEERING WHEEL HEATING ACTIVATED STEERING WHEEL HEATING DEACTIVATED These messages come up for only a second or two and they are small. If you want to know you have to take your eyes off the road just then, and refocus on something close and small. There are several ways this could have been done better.
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02-06-2018, 07:44 PM	#2
harma24 Captain 403 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	Easiest solution is to wear gloves and not get a heated steering wheel. But, if you have it, I would assume the warmth might be a clue that the steering wheel heating is activated without having to see a small, short notification. __________________ Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude \| 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition \| 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible
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02-06-2018, 09:36 PM	#3
emtrey Captain 92 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 16 M235IX, 06 Carrera S, 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	I have a 2013 335i w. heated steering wheel. Did not have any notification when I got the car. They programmed it in on a software update a couple of years ago. It may not be the best setup but all you have to do is tap the button and it will reappear if you are unsure if its on or off. With the thick steering wheel in the M235/240 it does take a lot longer to feel warmth than in the sportline 335 so I do find the o n/ off reminder somewhat useful. If they want to fix something that diminshes its drivers car status, fix the steering feel. Last edited by emtrey; 02-06-2018 at 10:13 PM..
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02-07-2018, 06:50 AM	#4
Cumberlandjames Private First Class 54 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Xdrive cabriolet Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ottawa Ont iTrader: (0)	Why worry about the message, you're selecting it on/off so you know what the message is. I use mine lots and its just not an issue. Lack of an oil temp gauge is more concerning and of more interest to me. The whole center display could be faulted for its small size but there isn't anything there that really demands the drivers attention.
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02-07-2018, 07:31 AM	#5
Maynard Colonel 3833 Rep 2,870 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	If you can't tell whether a heater is on or off, what good is a dash alert? Doesn't this mean the heater is basically a placebo? And unless you are driving your convertible with the top down (in Michigan Winter) concern for heated steering wheel is in another galaxie from 'drivers car' type concerns (just my opinion, and I don't have heated seats/wheel).
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02-07-2018, 09:11 AM	#6
Ron Jeffries Old Member. Old in general, actually. 388 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i xDrive convertible Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	the heated wheel isn’t instantly warm, and it gets hotter than one might prefer, so it’s useful to know it’s state. that said, if the situation is so intense as to preclude glancing down at the dash, it’s probably too intense to be letting go of the wheel and fumbling for the switch.
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02-07-2018, 09:48 AM	#8
BEM-S4 Major General 4516 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	I don't understand how this is an issue. You get in a cold car then immediately turn the heated wheel on before you even start driving. Once the car is warm or your hands are warm you turn it off. What am I missing? Maybe it's me but I've never once been driving along and said to myself wow my hands are suddenly cold, and I cannot tell if the heated wheel is on. Maybe I should check and make sure it's turned on. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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02-07-2018, 12:05 PM	#11
nikman011 Lieutenant 175 Rep 474 Posts Drives: '11 STi - IAG Trojan Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Some kind of visual indication would be nice, like the seats, as I sometimes I can't remember if I turned the heated wheel off yet cause it is still warm, ....... cause I am old, ........ and then I feel like a fool turning it ON again when I meant to turn it off, ....... and cause I barely use the heated wheel feature, it causes me to look at cluster, but also I wear glasses, but not while I am driving, so I have to put those on, ...... what a mess I am, this why driving during the spring summer will be easier, no need to look at the cluster cause I am just driving fast, ....... but I am not complaining, cause I love my car __________________ Looking for 335/n54
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02-07-2018, 12:13 PM	#12
Tony88 Private First Class 45 Rep 109 Posts Drives: M235ix Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Fairbanks, AK iTrader: (0)	You guys do know there's a small "on" light on the heated steering wheel switch? Yes it's kinda hard to see in a driving position but it's there.
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02-07-2018, 12:42 PM	#16
wayneholland4@yahoo.com Enlisted Member 5 Rep 47 Posts Drives: m240i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Butler NJ iTrader: (0)	Is this dude really crying about a half a second notification saying your heating steering wheel is on? god what is this damn world coming too..
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