When you order a custom steering wheel, a question comes up quickly: what to do about the buttons? You can reuse those from your current steering wheel, or receive new OEM buttons with the order. Both routes keep the same functions. They differ in appearance, fitting and warranty.
What sets the two options apart?
| Criterion | Original buttons transferred | New OEM buttons |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | Audio, phone, cruise control kept | Audio, phone, cruise control kept |
| Appearance | That of your current buttons | New buttons, original manufacturer parts |
| Arrival | Taken off your current steering wheel during fitting | Delivered with the steering wheel, ready to fit |
| Fitting | By you, tutorial in hand | By a professional, invoice to keep |
| Warranty | Original electronics, which remain yours | Electronics guaranteed for 2 years with professional fitting |
In both cases, the steering wheel itself is made to order for your vehicle, and its materials, stitching and hardware are guaranteed for 3 years.
When should you transfer your original buttons?
This is the most common case. You replace the steering wheel of your generation and reuse your controls. Their layout and connector already match your car, and you keep your original electronics.
This option works well if your buttons are in good condition and you fit the steering wheel yourself. The transfer is part of the fitting, guided by the tutorial for your model. Before ordering, the guide to checking multifunction buttons indicates which photos to prepare.
When should you choose new OEM buttons?
The buttons on a steering wheel are touched on every drive. On a car with some mileage, their surface wears shiny and their pictograms fade. New buttons then give the driving position an entirely new look, in keeping with the new steering wheel. It is a frequent choice on a car bought used, as the article on the steering wheel of a used car explains.
New OEM buttons are always manufacturer originals. They arrive with the steering wheel, ready to fit. As these electronics are supplied by Apex Studio, have a professional fit them and keep the invoice: it covers them for 2 years. The Warranty page details these conditions.
And for a generation change?
Fitting the steering wheel of another generation or another phase is a retrofit. The controls often change layout and connector from one generation to the next. The retrofit pack then brings the steering wheel controls and the paddle electronics, new and manufacturer original. You reuse your original airbag.
You can also receive the complete steering wheel, buttons fitted, to avoid the transfer. Coding is occasionally needed, though very rarely: it is carried out at a garage or by a coding specialist. The page dedicated to retrofit presents the contents of the pack and the points checked.
Our advice for your situation
- Same generation, buttons in good condition, fitted by you: transfer your original buttons.
- Worn buttons, or you want a fresh-looking cockpit: choose new OEM buttons and have a professional fit them.
- Steering wheel from another generation: choose the retrofit pack.
In every case, Apex Studio checks your configuration by hand before production. To place this choice within the whole project, read the guide to changing your car's steering wheel.
