Honda Snowblower Heated Grips: Stop Freezing & Regain Control!

The biting wind and relentless cold can turn snow clearing from a simple chore into a painful ordeal. Your hands are the first to suffer, becoming numb and stiff even inside thick gloves.

This loss of feeling is more than just uncomfortable; it’s a safety issue. Operating the chute controls, engaging the auger, and maneuvering a powerful machine becomes a clumsy, frustrating process with frozen fingers.

Heated grips are the definitive solution, transforming your winter workhorse into a machine of comfort and precision. This guide covers everything from factory options to aftermarket installation and troubleshooting.

Why Frozen Hands Are a Serious Snowblowing Hazard

When your hands go numb, your ability to safely operate your snowblower is severely compromised. Fine motor skills diminish rapidly in freezing temperatures.

This makes it difficult to quickly adjust the chute direction or disengage the drive if needed. The discomfort often leads to rushing the job, which increases the risk of accidents and property damage.

The Heated Grip Upgrade: Factory vs. Aftermarket Kits

When it comes to warming your hands, you have two primary paths. You can either purchase a Honda model that includes them from the factory or add an aftermarket kit to your existing machine.

Honda’s Factory-Installed Heated Grips

Many modern Honda snowblowers, particularly in the premium HSS series, come with heated grips as a standard feature. These systems are perfectly integrated into the machine’s electrical system.

The primary benefit here is reliability and warranty coverage. The components are designed specifically for the snowblower, ensuring optimal performance without any guesswork about power compatibility.

Aftermarket Heated Grip Kits: A Universal Solution

For the vast majority of snowblower owners, an aftermarket kit is the way to go. These kits are designed to be retrofitted onto a wide range of models, including older but still powerful machines.

These kits offer flexibility in terms of heat levels and grip styles. They are a cost-effective way to add a luxury feature to a reliable snowblower you already own and trust.

Choosing the Perfect Aftermarket Kit for Your Honda

Selecting the right kit is crucial for a successful upgrade. The main factors to consider are the type of grip, its power requirements, and the durability of the materials.

You must verify your snowblower’s electrical output before purchasing a kit. Most Honda snowblowers with a headlight have an AC lighting coil that can power heated grips, but confirming the voltage is a critical, non-negotiable step.

Below is a table comparing the most common types of aftermarket heated grip kits to help you decide.

Feature	Heated Grip Wraps	Full Grip Replacements
Installation	Easier; wraps over existing grips. Typically held on by Velcro or durable tape.	More complex; requires removing old grips and fitting new ones. Often requires adhesive.
Performance	Good heat output, but can feel slightly bulky. Heat may be less direct.	Excellent, direct heat transfer. Feels like a factory-installed component.
Durability	Can be less durable over time, with potential for wraps to shift or wear out.	Very durable. Made from robust rubber compounds designed for harsh weather.
Best For	Users wanting a simple, fast, and reversible installation. Good for trying out the concept.	Users wanting a permanent, high-performance solution with a clean, professional look.

Your Step-by-Step DIY Installation Guide

Installing heated grips is a manageable project for most DIYers. The key is to work methodically and ensure every connection is secure and protected from the elements.

Patience during the wiring phase will pay off with years of reliable, warm operation. Rushing this step is the most common cause of future problems.

Step 1: Safety First and Tool Preparation

Always disconnect the spark plug wire before beginning any work on your snowblower. This prevents any chance of an accidental engine start.

Gather your tools: you will likely need a socket set, wire cutters/strippers, electrical tape, zip ties, and a multimeter to test your power source.

Step 2: Locate and Test the Power Source

This is the most critical step. On most Honda engines, you are looking for the accessory power wires that typically power the headlight. These are often yellow or white wires coming from the engine’s stator.

Set your multimeter to AC volts. Start the engine briefly and carefully touch the multimeter probes to the power and ground wires to verify you have a sufficient AC voltage, typically around 12V at operating RPM.

Step 3: Handlebar Preparation and Grip Mounting

If you are installing full grip replacements, you must first remove the old ones. This can often be done by carefully working a long, thin screwdriver under the grip and spraying a lubricant like WD-40 to break the seal.

Clean the handlebars thoroughly to remove any residue. Test fit the new heated grips. Once you are satisfied, apply a specialized grip adhesive and slide them into position, ensuring they are oriented correctly before the glue sets.

Step 4: Wiring, Controller, and Final Connections

Mount the heat controller in a location that is easy to reach with a gloved hand but is protected from direct impact. The top of the dashboard area is a common choice.

Route the wires from the grips and the power source to the controller. Be extremely careful to avoid hot engine parts or any moving components of the auger or drive controls. Secure all wiring neatly with zip ties.

Connect the wires according to the kit’s instructions. Most kits will connect in-line with the headlight power. Ensure all connections are tight and wrap them securely with high-quality electrical tape or use heat-shrink tubing for the best weather protection.

Troubleshooting Common Heated Grip Problems

Even with a careful installation, issues can sometimes arise. Most problems are related to simple wiring faults or compatibility issues.

Before assuming a grip is faulty, always go back and double-check your connections. A loose ground wire is a very common culprit for a wide range of electrical issues.

Problem: One Grip Is Hot, The Other Is Cold

This almost always indicates a wiring issue specific to the cold grip. Check the connection plug for that grip to ensure it’s fully seated.

If the connection is good, the problem may be a break in the wire leading to it or a fault in the grip’s internal heating element. A multimeter can be used to check for continuity through the grip.

Problem: Grips Don’t Get Hot Enough

This is often a power issue. Your snowblower’s lighting coil may not be producing enough wattage to power both the grips at full setting and the headlight simultaneously.

Try running the snowblower at full throttle, as the stator’s output increases with engine RPM. If they are still weak, you may need to choose between running your headlight or your grips, or install an on/off switch for the light.

Problem: The Controller or Switch Has Failed

Switches are mechanical components that can fail, especially in harsh, wet environments. Water intrusion is a primary cause of failure.

Ensure your controller is mounted where water and snow are less likely to pool on it. If it fails, replacement controllers are often available from the manufacturer without needing to buy a whole new kit.

The Final Verdict: Are Heated Grips Worth It?

The decision to add heated grips is an investment in comfort, safety, and efficiency. It fundamentally changes the experience of clearing snow in frigid conditions.

While there is an upfront cost and an hour or two of installation time, the benefits are felt every single time you use your machine. This upgrade is especially valuable for anyone clearing large areas or living in a region with consistently cold winters, where a powerful machine like the Honda HS828 is essential.

Even for legendary older models, adding modern comforts can extend their useful life. Imagine upgrading a classic, reliable machine like the Honda HS55 with heated grips; it combines timeless durability with modern comfort. For a comprehensive look at what makes these machines great, you can explore this ultimate guide to peak performance. Ultimately, for a relatively small investment, you eliminate one of the biggest drawbacks of winter work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Honda snowblowers come with factory-installed heated grips?

Honda does not offer heated grips as a standard feature on their snowblowers. However, many owners successfully install aftermarket heated grip kits to add this feature.

Can I add heated grips to any Honda snowblower?

Heated grips can be added to many Honda snowblowers, particularly models that have an electrical system to power a headlight. The heated grips can be wired to this existing power source. For models without a battery, the grips will only operate when the engine is running.

Is installing heated grips a difficult project?

For those with some mechanical aptitude, installing heated grips can be a straightforward DIY project. The process typically involves removing the original grips, attaching the heating elements, running the wiring, and mounting a switch. The most common challenge is removing the stock grips, which are often glued on.

Will heated grips drain the snowblower’s battery?

Heated grips draw a small amount of power, typically under 4 amps. Some aftermarket kits include an intelligent heat controller with a battery-saving mode that automatically turns the grips off if the battery voltage drops too low. To completely avoid any battery drain when the snowblower is off, a relay can be installed so the grips only receive power when the ignition is on.

What are the main benefits of heated grips?

The primary benefit of heated grips is increased comfort and warmth while operating the snowblower in cold weather. They can make the task of snow clearing much more pleasant by keeping your hands warm. Many users who have them consider them an essential feature.

What kind of aftermarket heated grips can I use?

While there are few heated grips made specifically for snowblowers, many people adapt kits designed for ATVs or motorcycles. It’s important to choose a kit that is compatible with the diameter of your snowblower’s handlebars.