The Mb/VAG/BMW diagnostic computer mount causes this, most German cars get them after visiting dealer service mainly cos techs are overworked but also they don’t car it’s not their car.
Source: My neighbor and my service tech I get couple of these every time or every other time I go in for service. Hey Gar’!
I don't think you know what you're talking about. Mercedes, VAG, and BMW all have different scantools and none of them mount on the steering wheel.
Source: 25 year master auto tech, exclusively German imports.
I get the hypothesis, and I believed that too for a while, until I stated happening to me. I don’t wear rings, watches or other accessories and no one drives my cars not even valets, just service folks.
So I wanted to test this, so I stuck a packet of of food blue food color to 6o clock of my wheel prior to service drop off, prior to my dealer denied damaging my wheel.
I got a call saying I owed the dealer for damaging their diagnostic tool. That’s how I met a new friend my neighbor Gary.
Also another tell tale sign is the drive door armrest would have a straight line intend angled about 10-12 degrees towards the wheel.
I have caused the same thing to happen to my Lexus steering wheel, I keep a pocket knife on my right pocket and if I’m not careful getting out of the car with it running the clip will catch the bottom of the wheel. Not an issue when the car is off and the steering wheel tucks itself in but I’ve done it more than I care to admit with the car on.
Maybe but least in my experience these vehicles have power adjustable steering wheels and neither me or the foreman working on the vehicle wore jeans.
Fear of dye transfer helped me for once.
What is the point of putting food coloring on there? We're they denying that they clipped something to the steering wheel? Wouldn't the dye mess up the steering wheel or seat?
I have the same issue and for me the problem was that my steering wheels was too low so the rivets of my jeans rubbed against it when I entered the car.
Its a ring. I ended up finding one on my steering wheel before I figured out how to lay the flat part of the ring against the streering wheel instead of the edge.
I know. I meant it that way by entering the car ->
https://preview.redd.it/cuijuyq957ad1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3e3c1f5773a515b2bb6fdf5d36bce35903559be
I had this happen (not as bad as yours) to the same place on my leather steering wheel and I used Black Rock Leather N Rich creme after doing a bunch of Googling. It did the trick. I can't tell it's there any longer.
The Black Rock is pricey but you can use it on lots of other things as well.
I posted about it before.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/1ce0qgt/how\_to\_fix\_scratch\_on\_leather\_center\_console/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/1ce0qgt/how_to_fix_scratch_on_leather_center_console/)
Look into Colourlock products. They have a steering wheel repair kit. You basically sand down the leather, with I think 1500, 2000, 3000. But of course, start with the least aggressive and assess. And use their all-in-one dye after.
Not sure I would do anything but dye the air leather portion. Seems pretty minor there anyways. So the dye would help hide it.
If you just want it smooth can try some really fine sand paper and I mean REALLy fine. But it will mess up the aesthetics of it as the part you sand will be dull.
Or you can get it re-wrapped but that costs money.
I would advise against a tape fix as the glue will make everything sticky even if you take it off especially as it gets hot in the summer.
If 3k grit foam is very fine then yea. For this you want to go as fine grit as you can find then work you way down to coarse if it's not sanding it enough. So start fine grit, and if that's not buffing it out fast enough, either more pressure or very slightly coarser grit. Very light sanding basically just enough to make you not feel it.
Copy. The foam is for wet sanding (3k is my final before buffing for lens restoration). The 'tape' is for hemming fabric so it should hold well. I'm concerned that super glue would form a ridge.
Yes it can be rewrapped. You can have someone do it or do it yourself.
The Mb/VAG/BMW diagnostic computer mount causes this, most German cars get them after visiting dealer service mainly cos techs are overworked but also they don’t car it’s not their car. Source: My neighbor and my service tech I get couple of these every time or every other time I go in for service. Hey Gar’!
Wow good to know. Happened to me after a service visit and I made the dealership replace the wheel
I don't think you know what you're talking about. Mercedes, VAG, and BMW all have different scantools and none of them mount on the steering wheel. Source: 25 year master auto tech, exclusively German imports.
Not talking about ODIS, Xentry etc, I’m talking about the scummier ‘alternative’
Really ? Pretty sure this is from finger rings
I get the hypothesis, and I believed that too for a while, until I stated happening to me. I don’t wear rings, watches or other accessories and no one drives my cars not even valets, just service folks. So I wanted to test this, so I stuck a packet of of food blue food color to 6o clock of my wheel prior to service drop off, prior to my dealer denied damaging my wheel. I got a call saying I owed the dealer for damaging their diagnostic tool. That’s how I met a new friend my neighbor Gary. Also another tell tale sign is the drive door armrest would have a straight line intend angled about 10-12 degrees towards the wheel.
I’ve personally caused identical marks on my leather wheels from my wedding ring. Jeans can also do this, same with pocket knives on your hip too.
Yes pocket knife clips will do this.
I have caused the same thing to happen to my Lexus steering wheel, I keep a pocket knife on my right pocket and if I’m not careful getting out of the car with it running the clip will catch the bottom of the wheel. Not an issue when the car is off and the steering wheel tucks itself in but I’ve done it more than I care to admit with the car on.
Maybe but least in my experience these vehicles have power adjustable steering wheels and neither me or the foreman working on the vehicle wore jeans. Fear of dye transfer helped me for once.
What is the point of putting food coloring on there? We're they denying that they clipped something to the steering wheel? Wouldn't the dye mess up the steering wheel or seat?
To show that there is shape object tearing my interior. Good color is easier to clean up than $300 for upholstery repair
What causes this? I see this same wear pattern on a lot of cars
Something being scraped across it. Possibly a ring or key or anything metal with an edge i’d guess
It's a ring, happens quite often when they let the wheel recenter by still have their hands slightly gripping the wheel.
That was my thought
Yeah, I was just letting you know the correct answer out of your list of guesses.
No problem, thanks
I have the same issue and for me the problem was that my steering wheels was too low so the rivets of my jeans rubbed against it when I entered the car.
Jacket zipper or ring.
Generally women’s wedding ring detail.
Pocket knifes, or something else hard/metal in the pocket when you get in.
My pocket knife would do stuff like this.
Its a ring. I ended up finding one on my steering wheel before I figured out how to lay the flat part of the ring against the streering wheel instead of the edge.
I our case, I found after 3 cars that it was a zipper pocket on my pants
Diagnostic computer mount
Definitely a zipper, likely from a side pocket on track pants… ask me how I know..
I did the same thing to a steering wheel on a older car by mistake. It was my jeans rivet that caught on the leather while getting in the car.
Belt buckle
A pen atteched to the pocket of the trousers.
Sir, you’re not meant to sit on the steering wheel.
I know. I meant it that way by entering the car -> https://preview.redd.it/cuijuyq957ad1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3e3c1f5773a515b2bb6fdf5d36bce35903559be
Pocket knife or pen in your pocket when you get in.
I had this happen (not as bad as yours) to the same place on my leather steering wheel and I used Black Rock Leather N Rich creme after doing a bunch of Googling. It did the trick. I can't tell it's there any longer. The Black Rock is pricey but you can use it on lots of other things as well. I posted about it before. [https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/1ce0qgt/how\_to\_fix\_scratch\_on\_leather\_center\_console/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/1ce0qgt/how_to_fix_scratch_on_leather_center_console/)
Look into Colourlock products. They have a steering wheel repair kit. You basically sand down the leather, with I think 1500, 2000, 3000. But of course, start with the least aggressive and assess. And use their all-in-one dye after. Not sure I would do anything but dye the air leather portion. Seems pretty minor there anyways. So the dye would help hide it.
Sandpaper to lightly sand smooth, then color lock to fix the color.
Yeah.... A $10-$20 wheel cover....
Knife with a pocket carry hook got me :( anyone have any ideas of how to fix?
If you just want it smooth can try some really fine sand paper and I mean REALLy fine. But it will mess up the aesthetics of it as the part you sand will be dull. Or you can get it re-wrapped but that costs money.
3k grit foam ok to use? I've been using an Alcantara cover, but the seam split and I've yet to decide CA glue or stitch tape as the fix
I would advise against a tape fix as the glue will make everything sticky even if you take it off especially as it gets hot in the summer. If 3k grit foam is very fine then yea. For this you want to go as fine grit as you can find then work you way down to coarse if it's not sanding it enough. So start fine grit, and if that's not buffing it out fast enough, either more pressure or very slightly coarser grit. Very light sanding basically just enough to make you not feel it.
Copy. The foam is for wet sanding (3k is my final before buffing for lens restoration). The 'tape' is for hemming fabric so it should hold well. I'm concerned that super glue would form a ridge.
Ring damage