A swift dzire steering cover has to suit two numbers, the rim's width across and its grip thickness, so take both before shopping. Covers are sold in a few standard diameters, and one that is even slightly loose will slide in your hands.
Some Dzire trims already have a leather wrapped wheel from the factory, which needs no cover. Plain plastic or urethane wheels on lower trims get slippery in sweaty summer hands and hot after a day parked in the sun, and that is where a good cover earns its place.
Dzire fitment card
- Tyre size
- 165/80 R14 (LXi, VXi), 185/65 R15 (ZXi, ZXi Plus)
- Wheels
- 14 inch steel on LXi and VXi, 15 inch alloy on ZXi and ZXi Plus
- Tyre pressure (cold)
- Front 29 psi, rear 29 psi at normal load (petrol and CNG)
- Spare
- Steel spare wheel
- Wheel cover
- 14 inch full wheel covers on VXi steel wheels
- Fog lamps
- LED front fog lamps on ZXi Plus
- Earlier version diesel
- Same sizes; LDi, VDi 165/80 R14, ZDi, ZDi Plus 185/65 R15
Measuring the Dzire wheel for a steering cover
- Stretch a measuring tape straight across the rim, passing over the centre pad.
- Take a second reading at right angles and average the two.
- Wrap a string once around the grip and measure it to get the thickness.
- Note any thumb rests or flat bottom section.
Take these numbers to the parts shop. Request a cover by diameter rather than by car name; the earlier Dzire wheel may not match the current one.
Slip on or hand stitched
Slip on covers have an elastic or rubber inner lining. They take ten minutes and can be removed for washing. Cheap ones loosen in heat and start to twist on the rim.
Stitch on covers come as an open leather strip that is laced around the rim with a needle and thread. They fit like a factory wrap, do not slide and suit the thick grips and thumb rests of a modern wheel. Fitting takes an hour or two and some patience.
Picking a material for Indian weather
| Material | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine leather | Grip, long life, feel | Needs care in humid weather |
| Synthetic leather | Easy cleaning | Gets hot and slippery in summer |
| Perforated or suede finish | Sweaty hands, cab use | Collects dirt faster |
| Silicone | Washable, cheap | Can slide on the rim when warm |
Cab drivers who hold the wheel ten hours a day usually prefer perforated leather. A family car parked in the open gets the most from a lighter colour that stays cooler.
Fitting a slip on swift dzire steering cover
Warm the cover in sunlight for a few minutes until its lining turns supple. With the front wheels pointing straight, hook the cover over the twelve o'clock position. Hold it there with one hand and work it down both sides together, finishing at the bottom where the rim is easiest to reach. Roll the lining from the inside so it does not bunch at the spokes.
Safety points before you drive
- The cover goes on the rim only. Nothing should touch or cover the centre pad, which holds the driver airbag.
- Do not cover the horn area or the steering mounted buttons on trims that have them.
- A cover that twists when you turn hard is dangerous; replace it.
- Avoid thick fur or bead covers; they reduce grip and feel.
Cleaning and replacement
Wipe leather with a damp cloth weekly and condition it every few months. Synthetic and silicone covers can come off and go in soapy water. Replace a cover once it has worn smooth on the quarter to three positions or gone loose; a shiny worn patch is where your hands slip in an emergency.
Other Dzire accessories and care
The same buyer usually looks at covers for the wheels; see Dzire wheel cap. Grip on the road matters more than grip on the wheel, so keep the Dzire tyre pressure right. Our steering cover guide compares types for all cars.
Questions owners ask
Which cover size suits a Swift Dzire wheel?
Take the rim's width across plus grip thickness, then buy to match those figures. We do not print one size because the earlier and current wheels may differ.
Is a leather wrapped wheel standard on the Dzire?
Some trims of the current car list a leather wrapped wheel. Check your own car; a factory wrap does not need a cover.
Will a rim cover affect the Dzire airbag?
Yes, if it covers only the rim. Keep the middle pad, home of the airbag, completely uncovered.
Slip on or stitch on for a Dzire?
Stitch on fits better and never slides, which suits daily and cab use. Slip on is quicker to fit and remove but can loosen in summer heat.
Why does my steering cover slide?
It is a size too large or the lining has softened in the heat. Replace it with the correct size; a sliding cover is unsafe.