Odd question but how warm does the steering wheel element really get? The switch in my 2020 is being replaced, and admittedly it's been a while since I've used it. They gave me a 2024 Discovery loaner which is great but I'm noticing that the heating element is just warm, not the hot that I recall from my P38 and L322. Over the years has the "warmth factor" dropped? Guessing it'd be for safety, other switches and sensors etc.

 

My old LR4 got warm, but my old 2017 D5 got hot. Like, really hot. Like I said in one of your previous threads, my heated steering wheel is starting to go out. Currently, only the back side of the rim is being heated, and it is getting hot. Hotter than I remember it being when it was fully functional. I'm taking mine in on Monday to get it resolved. IIRC, The Defender's heated steering wheel was a happy medium between the warm one in my LR4 and the hot one in my D5.

 

The 2024 Discovery I have now is evenly warm all around, but not as hot as previous cars, so I was just curious what the spec calls for? I'm looking ahead to when I get my car back to try and see if the switch was the issue as the dealer believes or the element itself has failed (and thus a far more expensive repair), thanks

 

Mine is hot... like shut it off after a few minutes hot.
I usually only let it warm up and run for 5 minutes, then I shut it off. I'm hoping that using it like that will make it last longer.

 

Mine is exactly the same and that's also how I use it.

 

JLR probably reduced the heat level in response to the lawsuits against Dunkin’ Donuts serving hot coffee. The same people who would probably sue them for their coffee not being hot enough.

 

Nice and warm, but never too hot to touch. Pleasing. Pretty perfect. And evenly all the way round. Other cars I've had were uneven, too hot, not noticeable -- this one is good. The metal steering wheel spokes though stay cold to the touch. It's occurred to me that they should have wired them up too,.

This is in stark contrast to the original steering wheel on my 2020 which one day singed (really) my hand at the 12 o'clock position, then melted a spot on the back side of the wheel, shorted itself out and stopped working. New wheel 6 mos later after backorder -- and the new one is great.

 

Dropped mine off at the dealer today to have the steering wheel replaced. Was given a 2024 Disco 5 as a loaner vehicle and the steering wheel on it gets very warm, but not hot, and it is evenly distributed around the wheel. Fingers crossed I won't be waiting too long for a new steering wheel.

 

I just got my 2020 110S back with a new steering wheel as the heating element failed, thankfully replaced under warranty (~$4,000 between parts and labor). The temperature profile is the same as the 2024 Discovery they gave me as a loaner, so I suspect that its been set to something warm but not super hot (unlike my old P38 and L322, both of which got a bit too hot).

 

I got mine back too, and mine is the same - it isn't as hot, but still plenty warm. However, I think they might have put the wrong steering wheel on my car. I had the leather wheel, which was finished in ultra-smooth leather. My new one is grainy and doesn't feel as soft as my old one, but according to my paperwork it is the correct steering wheel. After looking at a few Defenders in the showroom with leather steering wheels, I am pretty sure that they put a Resist steering wheel on my car. The only other thing I came up with is that they could've changes the leather for the steering wheel, but the brand new models had the smooth-finish leather.

The S came with the leather steering wheel in 2020 and 2021. Did you get the exact same leather wheel as you had or is your new one a bit different? I didn't drive the Defender today, so I don't have pictures to compare, but I will take some pics when I get home tonight.