08 I think?
Technical Leather on steering wheel bubbling up
- Thread starter rusky27
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Technical Leather on steering wheel bubbling up
yep 08 plate so less than 3 years old, MOT isn't due till April 2011
Polypedates
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For the record I have a similar problem on my 100HP:
It is also bubbling up at the base of the wheel so cannot be related to handling or wear and tear.
I haven't got anywhere with the dealer as they just say that it is trim and therefore not covered under 3rd year warranty. I'm writing to Fiat about it this evening as it is clearly faulty IMO.
It is also bubbling up at the base of the wheel so cannot be related to handling or wear and tear.
I haven't got anywhere with the dealer as they just say that it is trim and therefore not covered under 3rd year warranty. I'm writing to Fiat about it this evening as it is clearly faulty IMO.
We have the same problem on our Grande, has been like it for over a year now. It started whilst it was parked in an airport car park while we were on holiday. It was fine when we left and was bubbling when we got back. I gave up with FIAT UK and trading standards could not do anything at the time, even our dealership manager backed us up on the claim.
Unfortunatly, it does not fall under fit for purpose, because, the main functions is not affected (tried arguing this), it is only cosmetic. Might be worth having a discussion with the Citizens Advice Bureau, to see where you stand though.
They also seem to void your warrenty on the steering wheel if you wear a ring......
It seems that they have a way out because of wear and tear and contamination, from hand creams, petrol pumps, treating the leather/ or not. I tried for 6 months under our 3rd year, but then it fell outside the warrenty so gave up. They were also reporting that they had never seen it before, but when I commented on knowing people who have had theirs replaced then the story changed to we cant discuss other peoples cases.
The Grande supercede wheel is now more of a grey than black and more padded, but we refuse to pay nearly £400.00 to change it, so were looking at getting it recovered instead in better quality leather.
I have noticed that other makes of cars are suffering the same to, from the internet and personal experiences, so its not isolated to FIAT alone.
I wish you well and I hope that you might have more luck now theres more of the same happening.
Unfortunatly, it does not fall under fit for purpose, because, the main functions is not affected (tried arguing this), it is only cosmetic. Might be worth having a discussion with the Citizens Advice Bureau, to see where you stand though.
They also seem to void your warrenty on the steering wheel if you wear a ring......
It seems that they have a way out because of wear and tear and contamination, from hand creams, petrol pumps, treating the leather/ or not. I tried for 6 months under our 3rd year, but then it fell outside the warrenty so gave up. They were also reporting that they had never seen it before, but when I commented on knowing people who have had theirs replaced then the story changed to we cant discuss other peoples cases.
The Grande supercede wheel is now more of a grey than black and more padded, but we refuse to pay nearly £400.00 to change it, so were looking at getting it recovered instead in better quality leather.
I have noticed that other makes of cars are suffering the same to, from the internet and personal experiences, so its not isolated to FIAT alone.
I wish you well and I hope that you might have more luck now theres more of the same happening.
I had the same thing in the 1st year ( a small bubble on leather ), thought nothing of it and didn't want to make a fuss. But apparently I should have. The entire steering wheel later got bubbles and bits of the leather have now completely peeled off! It looks terrible.
Its not from hand cream (dont use any) and its not from petrol or diesel. I think it may be from the heat (I live in hot country).
Anyway, I suggest to anyone thats seen a small bubble to take it to the dealer immediately! as it will definately get worse!
Its not from hand cream (dont use any) and its not from petrol or diesel. I think it may be from the heat (I live in hot country).
Anyway, I suggest to anyone thats seen a small bubble to take it to the dealer immediately! as it will definately get worse!
I suspect the cause is simply absorbed perspiration & natural grease from your hands. Having been forewarned by the experiences of others, I always wear gloves when driving the car. Time will tell if this prevents the problem from occurring.
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String-backed I hope. In the words of Alan Partridge, they give you a bit of extra purchase.
jrkitching, it only happens with the perforated leather wheels on the sport model.
Not so. I had the smooth leather wheel (lounge wheel) and mine did it.
I thought you had a sport. Well I should just shut up then
Mine is fine though, mewonders if you've got that man makeup still left on your handsNope, Lounge. Me likey the glass roof
Mine is fine though, mewonders if you've got that man makeup still left on your hands
It's possible. Such things are essential these days. Gone are the times when I could simply stand on a street corner in a short skirt and that was enough to woo the punters.....
I've got the Bubbling appearing on my 500 Lounge now. Really became noticable in July on three locations (including the front section where the lower spoke sits where no hand ever goes). Now as mines is nearly 4 & 1/2 years old I wont have any sway with dealers or Fiat so my main thoughts are, what can I do from here, is this fixable at all or am I looking at either having the wheel recovered or replace it with a new wheel?
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You could always go this route:
Lol!
Maybe if there is an orange version
Maybe if there is an orange version
Get it retrimmed in (non-sheet)white leather
Is an option I guess, anyone know the sort of people that may do such things and the costs?
