How to Put on a Steering Wheel Cover: Stretch & Stitch-On Styles

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Plus, how to measure your wheel & choose the right cover
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Installing a steering wheel cover is a quick and easy way to protect your steering wheel from damage, keep your hands cool in the summer, and customize your car with a new look. Whether you’re looking to put on a stretch-style cover or a stitch-on one, installing it can seem a bit difficult, which is why we’re here to help. We spoke with classic automotive expert Evan Ernst and auto technician Angel Ricardo for tips on how to easily install stretch and stitch-on covers . Plus, we’ll explain how to measure your steering wheel to find a cover that fits just right .

Quick Steps for Installing a Steering Wheel Cover

Classic automotive expert Evan Ernst suggests heating your steering wheel cover with a hair dryer or by leaving it in your car for 1-2 hours so it’s more flexible. Center the wheel and slide the top of the cover over the top of the wheel. Then, stretch the cover over the sides, slowly working your way down the wheel.

Section 1 of 3:

Installing a Stretch-Style Steering Wheel Cover

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  1. Wipe down your steering wheel to remove any grime, dirt, and other debris, as this helps ensure a smooth cover fit. Ricardo recommends using leather cleaner if you have a leather steering wheel and all-purpose cleaner if you have a different material. Simply apply a bit of the cleaner onto a microfiber towel and wipe down the steering wheel. [1]
    • As an alternative to an all-purpose cleaner , use isopropyl alcohol. Just pour a bit onto a microfiber towel and wipe the steering wheel.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Angel Ricardo is an auto detailing expert and owner of Ricardo's Mobile Auto Detail with over 10 years of detailing experience.

    Evan Ernst is a classic automotive expert and co-founder of ClassicNation, an automotive enthusiast website.

  2. Steering wheel covers are meant to have a snug fit, which means they can be a bit difficult to put on. If you have a rubber, plastic, silicone, faux leather, or real leather cover, heating it up makes it stretchy and more flexible so it’s easier to put on, says Ernst. [2] Some safe ways to heat up your cover include: [3]
    • Leaving the cover in your car for 1-2 hours . On a hot, sunny day, throw the cover on your dashboard and let it naturally heat up for about 1 to 2 hours.
    • Using a hair dryer . Turn the hair dryer onto High and hold it about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the interior of the steering wheel cover. Keep the heat on each section of the cover for 5-10 seconds.
    • Using hot water . Place the cover in a plastic bag. Then, heat up a pot of water so it’s hot but not close to boiling. Then, submerge the cover in the water for several minutes, or until it's warm to the touch.
    • Using a heater or radiator . In the winter, stick the cover under an air vent in your home or next to the radiator so it gets blasted with heat. Just keep it there until it feels warm to the touch.
    • Note: Do not let the cover cool off. Start the installation process immediately after you heat it so the cover stays soft and flexible.
    EXPERT TIP

    Evan Ernst

    Classic Automotive Expert
    Evan Ernst is a classic automotive expert based in Spokane, Washington. Evan and his twin brother Nick are the founders of ClassicNation, an automotive enthusiast website. With over 36,000 YouTube subscribers, Evan and Nick share videos covering one of their many classic car restoration projects, an interesting 'featured ride', or helpful how-to repair videos.
    Evan Ernst
    Classic Automotive Expert

    Avoid heating up fuzzy steering wheel covers. Fuzzy steering wheel covers, like faux fur, lambskin, and sheepskin, are sensitive to high temperatures. Heating these steering wheel covers can damage the look and feel of the materials and harm the cover’s adhesive or stitching.

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  3. Center the wheel and find the top of the cover before you start to install it. Then, slide the top of the steering wheel cover over the top of the wheel. Pop the lip over as much of the top of the wheel as you can. [4]
    • Check the installation instructions that came with the steering wheel to find out where the top and bottom are. Some covers have clear marks that designate the top and bottom (like stitching or a design), while other covers don’t have a specific top or bottom.
    • Tip: Lock your steering wheel to prevent it from moving as you put on the cover. While your car is off and the keys are out of the ignition, simply turn the wheel to one side. Just remember to unlock the wheel when you’re ready to drive your car.
  4. Use your fingers and stretch the cover over one side. Then, alternate to the other side and stretch that side over. Work your way incrementally down the wheel until the entire cover is attached. [5]
    • You may have to pull hard on the cover to get it to stretch over the wheel.
    Dennis Parks, Auto Restoration Expert

    When installing a new steering wheel cover, thoroughly clean the wheel with a multi-purpose cleaner to remove any dirt, oil, or grease. Slowly stretch the cover over the wheel, taking care not to tear the material. Use the provided tools to secure the underside, then adjust until the seams are hidden. With patience and the proper technique, you can upgrade your interior in less than an hour.

  5. Once you’re done sliding the cover over as much of the wheel as you can, you’ll probably find resistance near the bottom of the wheel. Use as much force as you can to fit the final part of the cover snugly over the wheel—it’ll probably take a bit of stretching, pulling, and elbow grease to wrangle it on. [6]
    • Tip: Use a screwdriver to help pry on the cover. Insert the screwdriver between the wheel and cover. Then, move it upwards and downwards in a seesaw motion to force the cover onto the wheel. [7]
    • Get a friend to hold the wheel straight if you are having trouble getting the cover on.
    • If the cover is a bit off-center, simply slide it to either side. If the cover is very off-center, you may need to take it off and repeat the installation process.
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Section 2 of 3:

Installing a Stitch-On Steering Wheel Cover

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  1. Center the wheel first. Then, place the cover over the wheel and make sure that the side flaps line up with the spokes in the wheel. Some stitch-on covers will come with adhesive tape that you can apply to the wheel to better secure the cover. [8]
    • Make sure to wipe down your steering wheel with leather cleaner or all-purpose cleaner before you put on the cover.
    • Most stitch-on steering wheel covers fit loosely around the wheel.
    • If the steering wheel cover does not fit over the wheel, you may have purchased the wrong size or style for your vehicle.
    • Check the instructions that came with your steering wheel cover if you’re having trouble lining it up with the wheel.
  2. Most stitch-on steering wheel covers come with lacing string. Simply cut about 3 to 5 feet (0.91–1.52 m) of string and lace 1 end through the eye of the needle. Then, tie a knot at the end of the string to finish threading the needle . [9]
    • If your cover didn’t come with lacing string , purchase it from an arts and crafts store or online.
    • Lacing string is durable and will hold up for a long time.
  3. Start sewing near the top or bottom of the wheel and next to one of the spokes on your steering wheel. Push the needle through an existing sewing hole on the inside of the cover on the side furthest from you. Pull the needle so that the thread is pulled all the way through and stops at the knot. [10]
    • Many covers have existing sewing holes that you use instead of creating new ones.
  4. Take the needle and thread and pull the string taut, stretching it over the wheel. Then, run the needle through the outside of the cover, on the side closest to you, and across from the hole you just pulled it through. Pull the needle taut to bring both sides of the cover closer together. [11]
    • The string should be stretched over the wheel, not the steering wheel cover.
    • The closer you can get both sides of the cover together, the more secure and clean your cover will look.
  5. Take the string connecting both sides of the cover and wrap it around the needle 3-4 times before pulling it tight. Pull on the string after you twist it around the needle and bring the 2 sides of the cover as close together as you can. [12]
    • Doing this will knot the thread and keep it in place as you thread the rest of the cover.
  6. Sew the sides of the cover closed by sliding the needle under the pre-sewn stitches along the edges of the cover. Start with the side of the cover furthest from you, slide the needle under the thread on the side closest to you, and then pull it taut. Just repeat this process back and forth to sew the steering wheel cover together. [13]
    • The needle doesn’t have to penetrate the cover; it just needs to connect the existing stitching on both sides of the cover.
    • If you do this correctly, the thread should create a criss-cross pattern.
  7. Pull the string taut and make a knot when you reach a spoke. Then, cut the excess string. If you did everything correctly, your stitching should look neat and uniform. [14]
  8. Continue to stitch the cover using the same process until the entire cover has been stitched. Thread a needle with new string and insert it through the corner of the next spoke on the wheel. Then, pull the needle through the sewn-on stitches to sew up the cover. Just keep repeating the process until the entire cover is attached to the wheel.
    • Attaching a sewn-on steering wheel cover can be time-consuming and may take several hours to complete.
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Section 3 of 3:

Choosing a Well-Fitting Steering Wheel Cover

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  1. To get the diameter of your steering wheel, stretch a tape measure across the front of the wheel, from one side to the other. Most steering wheels are anywhere from 14–17.5 inches (36–44 cm) in diameter. [15]
    • Most steering wheel covers will list the diameter and grip thickness in the product details.
    • Check your car’s user manual, as some manuals may list the dimensions of your steering wheel and even provide what size covers fit best.
  2. Wrap the tape measure around the steering wheel grip, which is where you place your hands while driving, to determine its thickness. Most grips are 2–4.5 inches (5.1–11.4 cm) thick. [16]
  3. Find a steering wheel cover that matches the measurements you took for your steering wheel. The most common covers are stretch styles , which fit over your wheel like a glove, and stitch-on styles , which require you to sew them together. There are a variety of materials, colors, and designs that you can choose from, so select a cover that matches your taste.
    • For a sleek look, opt for a cover that matches the aesthetic of your car. For example, if you have a black leather interior, consider getting a black leather steering wheel cover.
    • For a fun, bold look, choose a cover that’s a vibrant color, a unique pattern, or made out of a fluffy material.
    • While all covers help protect your steering wheel, some have extra functions while others are mostly decorative. For instance, there are some covers that help improve your grip.
    • Generally, steering wheel covers cost around $20 to $100. [17]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use a blow dryer or a heat gun on classic steering wheel covers like Sheepskin?
    Evan Ernst
    Classic Automotive Expert
    Evan Ernst is a classic automotive expert based in Spokane, Washington. Evan and his twin brother Nick are the founders of ClassicNation, an automotive enthusiast website. With over 36,000 YouTube subscribers, Evan and Nick share videos covering one of their many classic car restoration projects, an interesting 'featured ride', or helpful how-to repair videos.
    Evan Ernst
    Classic Automotive Expert
    Expert Answer
    You should avoid using a heat gun or hair dryer to fit lamb or sheepskin steering wheel covers in your car, as these natural materials are sensitive to high temperatures. Heating them can lead to brittleness, loss of softness, discoloration, and damage to the stitching or adhesive. This may compromise the cover's fit, shape, and overall quality, so it's advisable to follow the manufacturer's recommended installation methods to preserve the integrity of the material.
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  • Question
    Can you put the steering wheel cover in hot water to help stretch it? Cover is vinyl.
    Joe MacFarlane
    Community Answer
    Yes, this does work! Hot water stretches vinyl a little bit, and you gain a lot of malleability that makes it easier to fit it on.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I have a 2015 Honda Civic. What size steering wheel cover do I need?
    Dan Rich
    Community Answer
    You could use a universal fit-all. Most steering wheel covers have a 'size' recommended, such as truck steering wheel, car steering wheel, etc.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      Installing a Stretch-Style Steering Wheel Cover

      Installing a Stitch-On Steering Wheel Cover

      Choosing a Well-Fitting Steering Wheel Cover

      • Tape measure

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about car maintenance and repair, check out our in-depth interview with Evan Ernst .

      References

      1. ↑ Angel Ricardo. Auto Technician. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Evan Ernst. Classic Automotive Expert. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/xuP-7SK2SKw?si=iPzxctLOO26o6WKG&t=23
      4. ↑ https://www.thetopdrive.com/blogs/news/how-to-put-on-a-steering-wheel-cover
      5. ↑ https://www.thetopdrive.com/blogs/news/how-to-put-on-a-steering-wheel-cover
      6. ↑ https://www.thetopdrive.com/blogs/news/how-to-put-on-a-steering-wheel-cover
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/Tfl8UD09biw?si=_sRrUeCFm7E3R7hG&t=137
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/arGH5Nl_Fts?si=K1fqMNJD4d6Befe6&t=57
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/arGH5Nl_Fts?si=Hi-ULikXtmKREjrA&t=38
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/kaSPbn3W4x8?t=4m24s
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/gBNiNN6P3JY?t=1m6s
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/gBNiNN6P3JY?t=1m6s
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/gBNiNN6P3JY?t=2m1s
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/gBNiNN6P3JY?t=3m50s
      6. ↑ https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/a38161017/cute-steering-wheel-cover/
      7. ↑ https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/a38161017/cute-steering-wheel-cover/
      8. ↑ https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/a38161017/cute-steering-wheel-cover/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To fit a steering wheel cover, first measure the diameter of the steering wheel and the thickness of its grip to determine which size you’ll need to buy. Once you have your measurements, purchase a cover from an automotive store or online. To put the cover on, first wipe down the steering wheel with a rag and isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt and dust. Then, remove the packaging, and move a blow dryer on high over the interior of the steering wheel, which will make it more pliable and easier to install. Once it’s warm, immediately slide the top of the cover over the top of the wheel. Then, stretch out both sides until they fit over the wheel. Finally, pull the bottom of the cover over the bottom of the wheel. To learn how to sew your own steering wheel cover, read on!

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