When I was test driving the TL's this past week, I noticed that the newer TL's (April 2012 and later) seem slightly fatter compared to the early 2012's. They have these extra depressions on both sides (approx 8 and 4 o' clock position). This is supposedly made for extra comfort and to give better grip. Anyone else noticed this?

 

Do you mean protrusions? Also, my 09 has them at 10 and 2.

 

Depending on the model you were testing, the steering wheel will have additional padding.

 

Our 2012 has a thicker steering wheel than our 09 does. The 09 is FWD w/Tech while the 12 is SH-AWD w/tech.

 

No, I meant in addition to the protrusions, there are 2 more smaller protrusions at the 8 and 4 O'clock position. You can go check on the post April 2012 TL's.

Are you saying there is difference in the padding between a Tech and a AWD tech because those are the only 2 cars I tested and they were the same.

I was not comparing it with a 09. The comparison was between a 2012 pre and post April 2012 production.

 

There is a difference between the FWD and AWD versions. I'm not aware of a difference between pre and post April cars

 

Difference between the steering wheel?

 

The steering wheel for the FWD has a different part number than that for the AWD. So they aren't the same steering wheel.

 

Got it. Thanks.

 

Russel, you have TWO!?

 

Yep, had it a while now.

 

To clear it all up.. I recently swapped the steering wheel on my on 09 FWD to a 11 AWD steering wheel. Difference is the steering wheel is thicker and has more protrusions vs the steering on the FWD.

Overall the AWD steering wheel feels a lot better than the FWD steering and thicker helps turning the wheel easier

 

my 2010 steering wheel is the same as the 2012 sh awd steering wheel....