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"Switch" buttons on back of steering wheel

39K views 29 replies 27 participants last post by  WaltA 
#1 ·
I have a 2011 Wranger Unlimited. One of the things I find annoying is that on the back of the steering wheels are controls that can change volume, stations, sources, etc. However, I find it kind of interesting that the engineers decided that the volume up/volume down controls would be on the back right side of the wheel. It's interesting, because you only have to reach about 3-5 inches to the right to turn the volume knob on the radio.

I know it's not that big a deal, but I would find much more functionality if the volume controls on the back of the steering wheel were on the left side of the wheel.

Has anybody else experienced this? Is it even feasible to try and remove the steering panels and "reverse" these controls on each side?

I might be overly annoyed by this but I would like it if I could somewhat easily accomplish this switch.

Any thoughts?
 
#3 ·
There is no reason that they couldn't be switched. If the switches are physically the same, just pull the steering wheel cover and swap sides. If they aren't physically the same, but are both just momentary on three way switches you can swap the wires on the switches. It may be a pain, but it's doable.
 
#4 ·
The purpose of these switches is to let u control things without taking your hands off the wheel! I have a 11 also and I like them once I got used toem. I only wish they were paddle shift buttons like my vette has, which are on the back of the wheel also and they are redundant left and right. The audio controls are on the front of the wheel. Some time while turning the jeep I hit the voice control buttons accidentally as they are so close to the edge of the wheel. But you get used to it after awhile. I think jeep calls these uconect or something, but I don't use Em and don't sync my phone or anything.
 
#6 ·
my issue is not so much about the reversing of the buttons (although i agree with your logic), but the placement of them in general...not sure about you guys, but when i start spinning the wheel to do 3 point turns my radio starts going nuts changing stations and volumes...but whatevah
 
#10 ·
I have a 2011 Wranger Unlimited. One of the things I find annoying is that on the back of the steering wheels are controls that can change volume, stations, sources, etc. However, I find it kind of interesting that the engineers decided that the volume up/volume down controls would be on the back right side of the wheel. It's interesting, because you only have to reach about 3-5 inches to the right to turn the volume knob on the radio.

I know it's not that big a deal, but I would find much more functionality if the volume controls on the back of the steering wheel were on the left side of the wheel.

Has anybody else experienced this? Is it even feasible to try and remove the steering panels and "reverse" these controls on each side?

I might be overly annoyed by this but I would like it if I could somewhat easily accomplish this switch.

Any thoughts?
With it being on the right side, close to the volume control on the radio, that's what got me in the habit of remembering that side was for volume.

Personally, I don't see a need to switch them, especially for the sake of only being further away from the volume control on the dash. As long as you can use it for the intended purpose, keeping your hands on the wheel, I don't care which side it's on.

You can manually unlock your door and there is also a power unlock button a few inches away. This would be like moving your power unlock feature to the other side of the vehicle, only for the purpose of not having them beside each other...:facepalm:
 
#11 ·
SteveSh said:
I have a 2011 Wranger Unlimited. One of the things I find annoying is that on the back of the steering wheels are controls that can change volume, stations, sources, etc. However, I find it kind of interesting that the engineers decided that the volume up/volume down controls would be on the back right side of the wheel. It's interesting, because you only have to reach about 3-5 inches to the right to turn the volume knob on the radio.

I know it's not that big a deal, but I would find much more functionality if the volume controls on the back of the steering wheel were on the left side of the wheel.

Has anybody else experienced this? Is it even feasible to try and remove the steering panels and "reverse" these controls on each side?

I might be overly annoyed by this but I would like it if I could somewhat easily accomplish this switch.

Any thoughts?
I don't get this either. Even if you move the switch, your hand is still the same 3 inches from the master volume control...it is about keeping your hand on the wheel.
 
#18 ·
I want to switch them because I've got a manual, so I'm often shifting, and at times would like to lower the volume while shifting.
 
#14 ·
My left hand is always on the wheel. My right hand is on the stick, and its a shorter hop to the radio knob. As such, I too wish they were switched... but then, if they were, I would probably prefer it switched back.

Im rarely ten and two in this ride... straight up midnight with the left. It's just more comfortable to me than my arm hovering at a weird distance.??
 
#15 ·
On my 12' the wife wanted to drive it and didn't know where the controls were and hit the arrow button on front I think so the next day I went to hit volume controls and they were on the left. I have no clue what she may have hit but I hit the arrow and it shifted volume back to the right.
 
#19 ·
Which arrow? up or to the side?
 
#17 ·
I recently purchased a new 2011 Jeep wrangler. Looking at these controls I can say these are identical to the steering wheel controls on a 2011 Dodge Charger (which also had a pretty significant makeover).

I drove the 2011 Charger (a rental) for 10 days and can say reaching for its volume knob was definitely a hassle. The volume rocker was super convenient; as you can image in the driver seat is more recumbant and therefore further from the dash than that of a Wrangler. However, I agree they should of put the volume on the left; especially for those who drive stick.

This is what you get when automakers neglect custom design and produce parts in mass. Then forcibly engenieer them into various vehicle types. Beats creative thinking, right? :banghead: ... I still think it's an improvment over the old Wrangler steering wheel, which looked like a something off of a kid's boxcar racer. :thumb:
 
#20 ·
The switches can be switched

This drove me nuts on my '12. I am constantly changing the volume (good song, need to hear something on the jeep or a siren, or hear what my kid in the back is saying) meanwhile, my left hand is almost always on the wheel, but my right is either shifting or perhaps on my passenger's leg etc etc.

I took the steering wheel apart hoping that the switches are the same and that the harness would allow the switching of sides.

It turns out that the switches looked the same, but are not. I plugged the alternate ends of the harness in to the other switch and the right side still controlled the volume. WTF?

Anyway, modern wiring is pretty slick. You leave the connectors where they are and just move the right switch to the left side (upside down though) and vice-versa. They fit fine in this orientation and work they way they should have from the beginning. The wires will now exit the wrong side of the switch, but there is plenty of slack to accommodate this.

It is a bit tricky to get the wheel apart enough to do this. You do not need to unplug the airbag (best to leave the Key off though) and you do not need to remove the steering wheel.

Simple mod, but I use it constantly and glad I finally went in there.:thumb:
 
#21 ·
This drove me nuts on my '12. I am constantly changing the volume (good song, need to hear something on the jeep or a siren, or hear what my kid in the back is saying) meanwhile, my left hand is almost always on the wheel, but my right is either shifting or perhaps on my passenger's leg etc etc.

I took the steering wheel apart hoping that the switches are the same and that the harness would allow the switching of sides.

It turns out that the switches looked the same, but are not. I plugged the alternate ends of the harness in to the other switch and the right side still controlled the volume. WTF?

Anyway, modern wiring is pretty slick. You leave the connectors where they are and just move the right switch to the left side (upside down though) and vice-versa. They fit fine in this orientation and work they way they should have from the beginning. The wires will now exit the wrong side of the switch, but there is plenty of slack to accommodate this.

It is a bit tricky to get the wheel apart enough to do this. You do not need to unplug the airbag (best to leave the Key off though) and you do not need to remove the steering wheel.

Simple mod, but I use it constantly and glad I finally went in there.:thumb:
By "updisde down" does the volume up become the lower button & volume down is the upper?
 
#22 ·
I feel your pain. I think they are backward as well. But i always swap the stock head unit with aftermarket. So i was able to reprogram all the buttons too do what i want them to. I always swap the volume to the left side.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
#23 ·
I have had several vehicles that do it the same way. I prefer it since I rarely adjust the volume, but frequently change channels, so it makes more sense to have the less used volume buttons on the side closest to the HU. Your left hand never has a driving need to leave the wheel, while your right needs to be able to shift.
 
#25 ·
Every car I've owned in recent years has the volume controls on the right side of the wheel.
Feels perfectly natural to me, and doesn't matter if they are on front or in back.
 
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