Steering wheel cover
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A steering wheel cover is an automotive accessory used to enhance the grip, comfort, or appearance of a steering wheel.
Common categories of steering wheel cover are:
- Racing grips, used to improve the grip of the steering wheel especially for street racing or other amateur racing. Professional racers usually have specially designed racing steering wheel installed, and have no need for such an accessory. These accessories were very popular with enthusiastic drivers of American-built automobiles until the rise of imported automobiles, since the American cars of the time had very narrow rims of hard plastic, which were not conducive to a secure grip; adding a large diameter cushiony cover much improved the situation. Since imported cars began to come from the factory with large diameter cushiony steering wheel rims the American manufacturers have followed suit, so that the actual absolute need for these is somewhat less.
- Leather or calfskin, used to improve both comfort and grip, though not all drivers agree that the latter purpose is actually met by this category of cover. They are also somewhat useful for the problem of steering wheels which become too hot to grip after the car has been sitting with the sun coming through the windshield.
- Fake fur, for added comfort and decorative purposes. This type of cover actually worsens the grip on the steering wheel, and many would consider it somewhat tacky, akin to fuzzy dice.
- Wood, a ring which clips over the wheel.
- Other decorative types, including chrome-plated covers designed to give the appearance of chains.