Here's feedback:
I bought the Cartrimhome heated steering wheel, installed it myselif, and it works nicely.
More details and clarifications:
1) I like the red stitching, and (grudgingly) accepted the red alignment-indicator. This red "straight ahead" indicator is dyed leather (not a plastic ring as suggested).
2) The fit-and-finish is great.
3) I performed the installation myself:
- disconnected the battery the night before, giving 12hrs "rest-and-discharge"
- used plastic panel-poppers for damage-free removal of the covers
- used Torx T30 to undo airbag. These are tight, and I needed to insert a lever through the handle-hole of my Torx screwdriver.
- accidentally grabbed steering wheel to jump into truck and locked the wheel in an off-center position :-( Turned out no to be a problem. Mark your new "center" with some tape on the dash or something - it is easy and clear to see if you re-install one spline over, or if you get it onto the correct spline. Don't worry :-)
- included clockspring appears Toyota (or copy), from another application
- clockspring can only fit onto column one way
- Steering Angle Sensor has two white ribs, and only snaps onto the clockspring in one direction. Very easy to get this correct
- Wiring is simple: one "hot" connection and one ground wire. It turns out that my 2021 TRD Off-Road has a fuse for a heated steering-wheel!! I pulled the factory 10A fuse, installed the piggyback with 7.5A fuse. But with a bit more info (wire colours) and any harness-location-help, I'd have preferred to splice into the OEM harness and use the OEM fuse. Nonetheless, my fuse-box cover is already correct :-)
- I chose to locate the switch in the switch-bank by my left knee, including this heated steering wheel alongside my heated winshield wiper switch - the "Cold Weather" grouping :-) My choice of switch-position is already in use on the Limited trim, for disabling the automatic running boards.
- The heat indeed goes all the way around, and is nice-and-warm
- The contour / sculpting / shape of the wheel suits me nicely.
- The wheel itself is "fatter" than OEM, and I like the feel
- when I transferred my wheel-switches from the old to the new wheels, I think the fit is perhaps tighter than Toyota factory. It's very snug, with even fitment - no wiggles, squeaks or creaks.
- the finish of the leather appears perfect to my eye. My attached photo has a few glints and sparkles of daylight, but both the perforated and smooth portions are fantastic!
4)
FLAWS
If there is one thing I might complain about, it is that the plastic cover on the back of the steering wheel doesn't fit up quite tight. That is, there is a bit of additional bulk from the wrap that sits in the recess on the rear of the steering wheel, which forces the rear-plastic cover to sit off the steering wheel by about 1/4" more than the original wheel. The rear cover I refer to is the backside complement to the front-side switches (these front switches are a fantastic fit). But at least it is even, and it is hidden from driver's view (by the airbag + horn). I don't find it to be annoying, but there is room for improvement.
I know I'm going to love this in November! I've enjoyed (US-made) rental cars with heated steering wheels for over 20yrs, and it's really nice.
ADDITONAL:
This was my first time playing with Airbags, Clocksprings, and Steering Angle Sensor. Reasonable care was all it took for a positive outcome in every respect. Heat worked first time, and no dash-lights or anything scary at all!
The new clockspring requires that you pull a green lock-tab before installing it - after you pull this, just handle reasonably. It will positively seat into only one position.
It took me a few careful minutes to gently pry the snap-lock tabs and remove the Steering Angle Sensor, then snap it onto the new clockspring. The SAS will fit only one way (well, I suppose you could snap it in 180-degrees wrong, but be careful and this isn't any issue).
Thus, the clockspring, the Steering Angle Sensor and the steering wheel are tightly aligned, and the final alignment item to get right is re-installing the wheel onto the correct spline. I found it really quite easy to determine if I was off-by-one spline.
The switch (for turning on the heat) is Push-On / Push-Off. It is not momentary. It is NOT back-lit, unlike the other switches. The "ON" colour is bright blue, quite different from other switches that use Orange for "On". In cold weather, you may want to turn this switch on the night before, especially if you will use Remote Start. Otherwise, turn it on when you jump in, and it will get warm quite quickly.
There is a box you have to mount behind your dash. This is the thermostatic heat-control, logic for the switch + light, etc. The new (2024) Toyota heated steering wheel places all this control stuff into the steering wheel itself. This box appears to be another, earlier-design Toyota module, perhaps from a Highlander. It does not appear to be specially-designed for Cartrimhome, nor made by some dude in his garage.
Some people worry about the airbag - will it work as-intended, and will it be safe? My thinking is that the airbag itself, and the ignitor remain OEM Toyota. The mounting remains OEM Toyota (two OEM Torx). The startup diagnostics confirm clockspring continuity, and confirm readiness. YMMV. And use your seatbelt too.
In the end, everything worked perfectly the first time: I got heat, and I got no dash-lights. No drama. It took me about 4 hours total, working carefully in this unfamiliar territory.
FINAL SUMMARY:
This appears to be a thoughtful "kit" of Toyota parts: the aluminum frame of the steering wheel bears casting design and part-numbers which look like they may be Toyota part numbers. The controller seems to be sourced from another Toyota application. Ditto for the clockspring - sourced from what appears to be another Toyota application which had a factory heated steering wheel..
Linear Mode
