I was browsing through Wal-Mart and noticed they had a steering wheel cover that was marketed as "top grain genuine leather" made in Taiwan for $14.88.

It's a bit more expensive than the other covers they had, but the leather felt very nice. I installed it on my standard non-IUP steering wheel and it adds quite a bit to the thickness but it feels quite comfortable and soft. I recommend checking it out if you're interested in a cheap steering wheel cover. I don't see myself spending $150 every few years for a new leather steering wheel, so a sacrificial cover is the more economical route.

 

Nice fine, however, what makes you think that you'd have to spend $150.00 on a leather steering wheel every few years? From experience, I know that you'd get more that a few years. Nonetheless, if you're happy, we're all happy

 

Agreed. I had an 1991 firebird with a leather steering wheel for 14 years. Just kept it clean and treated it once in a while!

 

I've heard some stories about OEM leather wheels with crumbling/cracked leather, or something happening to the OEM wheel and the person had to replace it. How do you clean and treat the leather properly?

 

I use Lexol to care for all the leather in my cars. I've never had a problem with crumbling or cracking.

 

Same way you treat leather seats...... Clean and condition.

 

I've never owned leather seats nor have I cleaned/conditioned leather seats in the past so this is all new to me! The Stang has cloth seats, FWIW. I find that the cloth seats breathe better in the summer and aren't as cold in the winter. I can't stand the leather seats they have in our conference rooms because they get too hot.

 

+1...

 

 

Here they are.
It's just a plain black leather wheel cover.

 

Nice! I got a steering wheel cover (for my fox) at walmart too!

 

Nice find! If you like it then that is all that matters. Enjoy!

 

I may do this.Let us know about the fit and feel when it is installed

 

I installed it, and it isn't an ultra tight fit, or an ultra loose fit. The leather is flexible so it slips over the wheel without much difficulty. The inside of the cover is all rubber, so it has decent traction. The overall grip diameter increases from the thick cover, so you may or may not like this (I personally like it because there's more surface area) and it feels almost like the IUP leather steering wheel. The best part is that Wal-Mart has a great return policy, so if you don't like it or if you don't like the feel/quality, you could return it.

 

Here's a pic of the cover install on the steering wheel.

 

Eeeeesh..... Not for me, especially since it doesn't lace together after it's on. If I had a 'Stang with the standard wheel, then my first mod would be getting the IUP leather wrapped wheel. Back in the day, I remember buying a perforated steering wheel cover that was leather or simulated leather. It came with lacing & after I spent time putting it on and lacing through and in between the perforations, it had a nice-pro look to it........but the factory steering wheels weren't as thick around back then either.

 

I'm not a fan of the lacing. I have the standard wheel and did not order the IUP on purpose because of the chrome trim panel/pieces everywhere. If Ford had just an optional leather steering wheel, My Color, and trip computer SEPARATE from the IUP, I would have ordered them with the car. But as of now, $150 for a leather steering wheel is kind of steep. This cover was only $15. I know the IUP is very popular among the S197 crowd, but after seeing nothing but IUP equipped Mustangs in 5 dealer lots, it just felt like an expensive way of buying a cheap-looking interior. At least the standard interior is cheap.

 

Seems a little chuncky

 

It would still be good to buy just to protect the leather steering wheel that some of us have. I know in the summer,my hands get all sweaty and I have sunscreen on too.I know for a fact that those 2 things alone will deteriorate the leather much quicker. I would take it off for shows though

 

You're right that a standard interior is cheap (comparatively speaking), but a steering wheel cover like that one that doesn't even fully enclose the steering wheel is cheap with a capital 'C'......IMO. You just paid $15 for a cover, and you can get the whole shebang leather wrapped wheel for only $135 more? I get the bang for the buck thing, but the standard wheel looked a lot better as it was without the half-finished cover.