Media controls on steering wheel

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sat 9 Aug 2014 17:25
Media controls on steering wheel - redcard

Looking to get a car in the next few months and there's a good chance it may not have media buttons on the steering wheel. I'd much prefer a car with these but may have to compromise and get one without.

Are there any good aftermarket solutions? I've had a quick search, but not really coming across anything that looks that elegant.

Ideally I'd prefer not to splash out on a whole new media system. I'm happy to use my mobile / ipod for music, and would prefer the buttons also contolled the radio or inbuilt CD, if this is possible.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 9 Aug 2014 22:26
Media controls on steering wheel - galileo

Most cars made in the last 15 years do have the media buttons you mention. It shouldn't be difficult to find what you want.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 9 Aug 2014 23:40
Media controls on steering wheel - redcard

Unfortuntely some of the cars I've been looking at do not, hence the reason I asked the question.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 10 Aug 2014 00:05
Media controls on steering wheel - bathtub tom

You should also look for them on a separate arm in my opinion.

I've driven Peugeot that has this and it's a great advantage over my Nissan which has them on the steering wheel. Try finding the button you want when the wheel's anything other than straight ahead - Unfortunately Peugeots are French.........................

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 10 Aug 2014 17:42
Media controls on steering wheel - mike hannon

Why would you want to be fiddling with the stereo controls while turning?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 10 Aug 2014 21:05
Media controls on steering wheel - bathtub tom

To turn off James Blunt?

Seriously, I often find I'm feeling for them when I'm stationary at an approach to a junction and in a queue and the wheels aren't straight ahead.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 11 Aug 2014 17:05
Media controls on steering wheel - mike hannon

Point taken. I have a super duper wireless, etc, in my car with controls on the steering wheel. I turned it on earlier today to see it was still working ok (which it was). Somehow I never get round to listening to it. If I'm not on my own in the car I always seem to be talking.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 11 Aug 2014 18:45
Media controls on steering wheel - retgwte

you can buy stereo head units which come with remote control units like you would use in the home.

then you can velcro the remote control unit somewhere easy to use when driving.

somewhere like an arm rest on the door usually makes a good location.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....