In my first month of ownership with my Prius I am really loving the car; drives great, and with the snow storms we had last week the car did quite well in handling in the adverse road conditions. Now my only gripe so far is the steering wheel, mainly the surface of it. When I drive on short-range trips or commuting, the wheel is fine in my hands. But when I am doing a long-distance road trip like I did going to TX for thanksgiving, my hands (fingers mostly) felt fatigued holding on the hard wheel and had to change positions often because it was getting uncomfortable. Does anyone know what the steering wheel diameter (or size) is? I really need to get a wheel cover that is softer on my hands when I drive those long distances, because it can be quite tiring on my fingers to hold such a hard rubber wheel for hours at a time when driving. Many thanks!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Dec 15 2006, 09:52 PM) [snapback]363013[/snapback]</div> Add a Wheelskins cover. The wheel is actually an oval. Any wheelskin dealer will have a chart showing the size needed. It fits really tight and is a struggle to slip over the wheel before beginning lacing. Gives the wheel a really great feel for not many $$. Here's where I got mine : http://www.autobarn.net/wheelgenleat.html - Tom
I don't have your problem because I have option 8, which includes the leather-wrapped wheel. Anyway, the steering wheel isn't exactly round---it's slightly oblong. The diameter across the widest span is 14 1/2", and 13 1/2" at the narrowest span. Most after-market wheel covers (available almost any auto parts store, Target, Walmart, etc.) are "stretchable", and should fit the Prius wheel with no problem.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Dec 15 2006, 10:20 PM) [snapback]363018[/snapback]</div> I second that recommendation for a wheelskin. I bought mine through the priuschat store.
