Steering wheel question for '02 owners

I hear ya. I have a friend w/ a black on black TL-S and I found the silver A emblem on the steering wheel really striking. While that probably wouldn't fly on a saddle interior, I can understand why you'd want it on an ebony interior MDX.

Yep, all 01 and 02 MDXs have the same wheel from the factory.
The wood wheel is a dealer installed option but is expensive, ugly, and offers poor grip and feel in my opinion.

jgen said:

Just wondering if all other '02 MDX owners have the same steering wheel. Simple single colour wheel with colour matched emblem in the centre.
I've seen pictures of the the '02 TL model wheel and wish my MDX came equipped the same. I've attached a link to show you all what I mean.
http://www.acura.com/model_TL/tl_gallery.asp?main=12&on=0

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Re: Re: Steering wheel question for '02 owners

mogur said:

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The wood wheel is a dealer installed option but expensive and ugly in my opinion.

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I think it is beautiful but the wood portion is rather slim once I got used to the full leather steering wheel.

The wood steering wheel looks good, but I couldn't find any practical use to it. I prefer it the way it is.

GCK said:

The wood steering wheel looks good..

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True. For many merchandise "look" is the product itself. I must say the wood also have a nice "feel" too. So.. it is "look" and "feel"... or "feel the look."

Without a good look, the MDX body can be made to look like a matchbox, too.

steering wheel expensive but like

at first i did agree and like the leather wheel, but after driving a wood wheel or simulated wood wheel i do prefer the smooth feel to the leather feel. also doesn't dry out over years like leather will. this will be smooth always and i do think it makes the vehicle look classier and nicer when matched with wood meter on dash and with wood shift knob. much cheaper and very easy to install yourself and will save alot of money. again would reccommend for anyone as long as you have a few extra bucks to spend

JGEN,
I posted the same question before I picked up my 02' Redrock Pearl 2 weeks ago. My guess is that the Acura plate still has many of those 01' steering wheels/air bag left. Remember, the part of the steering wheel with logo is the air bag. So for those of us with the early 02' models, we might have got the leftover from the 01' models.
As for the leather vs wooden steering wheels, I have owned a 91' Acura Legend with leather steering wheel. It still feel good with great grip. No problem of leather being dry up. It's up to you to apply lubrication to the leather to keep it from drying up.
I'm somewhat agree with the look of the wooden steering wheel. But my wife talked me out of getting one. And I like the leather steering wheel very much.

RedMdxMemphis said:

... I must say the wood also have a nice "feel" too. So.. it is "look" and "feel"... or "feel the look."
..

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Just to add comment to myself the wood steering wheel can be very COLD. With the icy weather we just have, I notice the wood portion basically is as cold as an ice stick. It can be a bit uncomfortable to use when you first get in the car.

I guess the opposite is also true.. during a regular or warm day, the wood portion gives a very nice touch and feel...

Heated wheel

That would suck if Acura is just waiting to finish up their existing inventory of 'old' steering wheels. The chrome centre emblem really sets off the interior in the Type S.
Anyways, one other gripe, the wheel should be heated as well. I have a heated wheel in my A6 and my old 5 series had it as well. Super option, especially useful during Canadian winters. Maybe I'm just spoiled, I could use gloves!

RedMdxMemphis said:

Just to add comment to myself the wood steering wheel can be very COLD. With the icy weather we just have, I notice the wood portion basically is as cold as an ice stick. It can be a bit uncomfortable to use when you first get in the car.

I guess the opposite is also true.. during a regular or warm day, the wood portion gives a very nice touch and feel...

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Glad someone else brought this up - I'd never think of getting a smooth wood wheel or shift knob - for that very reason. Brrr! That heated wheel idea sounds great!

ghost said:

Glad someone else brought this up - I'd never think of getting a smooth wood wheel or shift knob - for that very reason. Brrr! That heated wheel idea sounds great!

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And here I was questioning my sanity. I agree w/ Ghost about the wood shift knob. That was the one thing keeping me from getting it--- seemed like it would be cold to the touch. But then again, I do wear gloves AND I do love the look of the wood knob. Ebay (or Tim), here I come!

Even with the all leather steering wheel, it's very cold under very cold weather. I don't think wood makes much difference.

I guess you are right. When it is below freezing point, you will feel the cold wood versus cold leather. Perhaps the leather recover and feel better during warm up? Don't know that. Too late for me... my leather steering wheel is sitting under my desk..

Beside adding the look and beauty, the wood add-on really give a different feel during driving. Sounds like a simple thing, but I really like that.

I notice that wood may get a "ding" by the seat belt metal if you are not careful.. one more thing to take care of.

Look at it this way - a chunk of marble (or metal, or polished wood) at 10 degrees will feel a heck of a lot colder than a piece of cotton at the same temperature. This is because the less porous materials have a lot more surface area in contact with your skin, thus allowing a lot more conductive transfer of heat out of your skin, and into the steering wheel.

Gloves of course, fix this problem nicely, but I don't like to drive with them, and usually never have a set that match for very long anyway.

I've had the wood wheel for a week and have had second thoughts about it. However, as I was driving around today in 45ºF weather (vs. the 0 of previous days), I noticed that the wheel actually feels good. The sun was beating down in the car, and the wood part felt more comfortable than the leather, which was noticeably warmer. I think it'll be a big plus in the summer. I'm keeping it.

steel acura emblem

where can we find the steel acura emblem on steering

Re: steel acura emblem

sivaveera said:

where can we find the steel acura emblem on steering

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A good question for Tim? Tim if you are out there any possibility of getting for our 01/02 models or does it require replacing the entire wheel?