Cooled Seats - How cold do yours get?

[BlackCat81]

Mine also still get pretty cold, but take quite a bit of time to cool off, especially having black seats in Arizona. They'll get so cool on longer trips I have to turn them down or off. I don't really notice a difference with the different fan speeds, so I either have them on high or off.

Congrats on the move. Yeah, I'll have to try this steam thing cause mine suck.

Thank ya sir. Did you get my PM?

[Ilya]

Congrats on the move. Yeah, I'll have to try this steam thing cause mine suck.

Thank ya sir. Did you get my PM?

Yep. Thanks. Thought I responded but it might be stuck in the outbox.

[BlackCat81]

Got it!

[Big_Tone]

This is the one I ordered...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE ... UTF8&psc=1

Cost $23.99

Let me know how it goes...if yours get better after steaming I will do the same.

It came yesterday and I just finished doing it. The steamer is easy to setup and use and puts out A LOT of steam. I turned the ventilation off and went over my seats about 4 times. After letting them cool off for a couple minutes I turned the seats on and I noticed a big difference. Glad I did it.

[Ilya]

Let me know how it goes...if yours get better after steaming I will do the same.

It came yesterday and I just finished doing it. The steamer is easy to setup and use and puts out A LOT of steam. I turned the ventilation off and went over my seats about 4 times. After letting them cool off for a couple minutes I turned the seats on and I noticed a big difference. Glad I did it.

Thanks Tone. Sold. Ordering a steamer right now lol.

[agoodall]

Decided to clean my seat filters.

Before:

After:

I used cool water and some oxyclean detergent (very little, maybe a small spoon full each) agitated with my finger and rinsed. Used air compressor to dry them.

The line on the filters is from the elastic band that holds the seat flap tight. I moved them out of the way.
Car has 99k on it (bought at 64k) filters have never been replaced to my knowledge.

[Big_Tone]

It came yesterday and I just finished doing it. The steamer is easy to setup and use and puts out A LOT of steam. I turned the ventilation off and went over my seats about 4 times. After letting them cool off for a couple minutes I turned the seats on and I noticed a big difference. Glad I did it.

Thanks Tone. Sold. Ordering a steamer right now lol.

No prob! Now I just need to re-condition my seats so I don't clog the perforations again

[Larz]

Another tip is to vacuum the perforations when cleaning your car. Use that gizmo that fans inward to a slot shape and do NOT push against the leather. Just gently slide it over the holes, barely touching the surface to yank up any dust or dirt that is beginning to accumulate. Also use that gizmo to get in the seams and also where the back meets the seat to keep your butt from grinding loose dirt into the leather.

[InfinitiAce]

I steam cleaned my seats last night. Big difference. I would say my seat is at least 30 percent cooler now. My seats were not even dirty but the difference is noticeable. If your seats are dirty, it will make a big difference.

One day I will get around to cleaning that filter that I can't figure out how to reach.

[Ilya]

I steam cleaned my seats last night. Big difference. I would say my seat is at least 30 percent cooler now. My seats were not even dirty but the difference is noticeable. If your seats are dirty, it will make a big difference.

One day I will get around to cleaning that filter that I can't figure out how to reach.

Move the seat all the way forward so you can get low in the rear and you'll probably be able to see it.

And I'm going to be ordering that steamer tomorrow lol.

[Ilya]

This is the one I ordered...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE ... UTF8&psc=1

Cost $23.99

FYI, this has been 'upgraded' and is now $28.99. I just purchased it, should be here monday.

[Big_Tone]

This is the one I ordered...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE ... UTF8&psc=1

Cost $23.99

FYI, this has been 'upgraded' and is now $28.99. I just purchased it, should be here monday.

Just checked my purchase to double check and I actually paid $28.99, too. I guess in my old age the 8 looked like a 3 lol

[Ilya]

So, I got the steamer today and decided to give it a try. Maybe it's because I was hoping for it to be a huge difference, but it was. My driver seat gets pretty cool now. Passenger seat not so much, but I'm wondering if it just needs more steaming. My GF (picked up her engagement ring today so that title is changing soon) and her fine booty probably has a lot more stuff on her skin than me, who is usually in jeans, shorts, etc. I didn't drive the car today, so didn't test it out on a long ride, but will in the next few days.

[Big_Tone]

So, I got the steamer today and decided to give it a try. Maybe it's because I was hoping for it to be a huge difference, but it was. My driver seat gets pretty cool now. Passenger seat not so much, but I'm wondering if it just needs more steaming. My GF (picked up her engagement ring today so that title is changing soon) and her fine booty probably has a lot more stuff on her skin than me, who is usually in jeans, shorts, etc. I didn't drive the car today, so didn't test it out on a long ride, but will in the next few days.

After a week I noticed the opposite. My driver side doesn't get as cold, but the passenger side does. Initially there was a pretty noticeable improvement on the driver seat. As of this past weekend, not so much. I added that to the items I want the dealer to look at wheile they have my car.

But on to more important things, CONGRATULATIONS! Very cool news on the pending engagement.

[ibc]

This is the one I ordered...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE ... UTF8&psc=1

Cost $23.99

That's the same machine I just borrowed from my neighbor. I gotta read the booklet to figure out how to use it.
I hope it won't melt the seats, nor discolor them.

Some questions:
Did you use the 1" brushes? Or did you prefer the bigger 6" wide attachment?
How long do you hold it to the seat fabric?
Do you need to blow compressed air through the seat perforations after steaming?
Any other tips?

Oh, and did anybody take off the seats, to check whether the under-seat fans operate at high enough speed/volume?
Just wondering if perhaps these little seat fans are just under-powered for this purpose?

[Ilya]

I just went semi-slow over the seat with the 6" wide attachment with the cloth over it. Didn't discolor the seats but definitely made them more 'dull' because it probably stripped off EVERYTHING that was on it in terms of oils and conditioners. It looks like it's fresh leather.

[Big_Tone]

I just went semi-slow over the seat with the 6" wide attachment with the cloth over it. Didn't discolor the seats but definitely made them more 'dull' because it probably stripped off EVERYTHING that was on it in terms of oils and conditioners. It looks like it's fresh leather.

Ditto

[InfinitiAce]

I steam clean mine by wrapping a microfiber cloth around one of the brush attachments that comes with the steamer. It worked very well. The steam still sprays out well and the cloth could wipe it up. After a good steam and wipe down with the cloth, I sprayed Adam's leather cleaner and gave it a light rub with a horsehair brush. The light grey seats in my wife's car nearly turned black because so much dirt was brought to the surface. After I wiped them down again with a cloth, I lightly covered them with a leather conditioner. They look like new now.

[Ilya]

I definitely need to get the dealer to check these...I think it was placebo that I felt a difference...I don't feel it now.

[Big_Tone]

I swear my seats were nice and cold for like 3-4 days, then they went back to how they were before. Having them checked while my timing chain gets replaced.

[EdBwoy]

Can someone hit the seats with an infrared gun before and after the steam cleaning to see if the process does indeed yield any improvements at all? Ya know, most other things being constant that is

[Ilya]

Can someone hit the seats with an infrared gun before and after the steam cleaning to see if the process does indeed yield any improvements at all? Ya know, most other things being constant that is

I can do that with another cleaning. I have an infrared gun that needs batteries. Would be a good test. Then maybe someone who doesn't have supposed cooling issues can test theirs maybe? The guns are cheap IIRC, got mine for like $15 or something. Take one for the community lol.

[agoodall]

Did a little experiment would like someone to confirm my findings.

Seats use a fan to draw air in...so the seats will be at their coldest when you have only the a/c lower vents on, otherwise the car has to cool the entire cabin before that cool air can be drawn into the fan(s).

I definitely felt a difference but that could just be me.

[Ilya]

Did a little experiment would like someone to confirm my findings.

Seats use a fan to draw air in...so the seats will be at their coldest when you have only the a/c lower vents on, otherwise the car has to cool the entire cabin before that cool air can be drawn into the fan(s).

I definitely felt a difference but that could just be me.

Will confirm tomorrow on my way to church. I usually have my windows open and that makes sense.

Example: When it's 90 out, I like to open the windows and enjoy the warmth, put the AC on blast so it mixes with the fresh outside air but want the seat to cool me so I'm not stuck to it.
Example 2: When it's 40 out, I like to open my window and enjoy the brisk fresh air, put the heat on blast but want the seat to heat me so I'm not frozen to it.

[EdBwoy]

...
Will confirm tomorrow on my way to church. I usually have my windows open and that makes sense.

Example: When it's 90 out, I like to open the windows and enjoy the warmth, put the AC on blast so it mixes with the fresh outside air but want the seat to cool me so I'm not stuck to it.
Example 2: When it's 40 out, I like to open my window and enjoy the brisk fresh air, put the heat on blast but want the seat to heat me so I'm not frozen to it.

Haha, I like your style. For the sake of comfort, I'll throw thermal efficiency out of the window >pun<. But it doesn't cost much in the winter to do that, and I catch myself doing that sometimes in the fall.

Did a little experiment would like someone to confirm my findings.
Seats use a fan to draw air in...so the seats will be at their coldest when you have only the a/c lower vents on, otherwise the car has to cool the entire cabin before that cool air can be drawn into the fan(s).
I definitely felt a difference but that could just be me.

Back to the seat issue, agoodall's experiment kinda makes sense to me. In the 03 m45 I own, switching the knob to cool the seats wouldn't yield much until the A/C was turned on. I usually leave the HVAC on Auto without forcing the airflow to one area and I find it pretty effective as the y34 had a well-behaved system (although I know it sends cold air mostly to your upper body when the delta between set temperature and the ambient temp is huge)

[Ilya]

So I can confirm the experiment...evidently I've been using my M wrong for years (including my 07). I put the AC on the lower level full blast at 60 and the cooling was HUGELY improved.

I always run with the HVAC on my face or glass.

I then put the system on 90 but kept everything else the same and sure enough the seat stopped being cold.

What a stupid design. There should be a hose/air duct running from just after filtration under the floor boards to right under the seat. What is the point of a cooled or heated designation on the dial if all it does is pull in ambient air? Dumb dumb dumb. Seriously dumb.

The Japanese are smart...but in this case, their cheese slid off their crackers. Or as The Grand Tour (aka Top Gear) would say, "bunch of pillocks!"

[Larz]

I agree. Poor design indeed. I have no trouble with my cooled seats - never get low temps here so I don't know if the seat heater is great or not. Another thing I did was setting up a way to cool the cup holders. Under my console covers, I could see the ducting that leads to the rear A/C console vents. I poked a relatively small hole (1") in it and made an extra duct that leads from that hole up under the cup holder and used monster tape to seal it. Works very nicely. Not as effective as the heated / cooled cup holders in my old Escalade, but the ice cubes in my tea last much much longer.

[Ilya]

I agree. Poor design indeed. I have no trouble with my cooled seats - never get low temps here so I don't know if the seat heater is great or not. Another thing I did was setting up a way to cool the cup holders. Under my console covers, I could see the ducting that leads to the rear A/C console vents. I poked a relatively small hole (1") in it and made an extra duct that leads from that hole up under the cup holder and used monster tape to seal it. Works very nicely. Not as effective as the heated / cooled cup holders in my old Escalade, but the ice cubes in my tea last much much longer.

Hah, that's interesting. I wonder if you put a bigger diameter hose (1.5" or so) if you could use it up here to keep coffee/tea warmer lol.

[DredM56]

I keep mine in auto with forest air on at 68 and the seat gets so cold on a trip of more than a half hour it starts hurting like I have an ice pack on my thighs and butt. Car only had 37kmi on it when I got it though.

[Ilya]

I keep mine in auto with forest air on at 68 and the seat gets so cold on a trip of more than a half hour it starts hurting like I have an ice pack on my thighs and butt. Car only had 37kmi on it when I got it though.

Mine had 42kmi on it when I got it. Maybe I'll take a look at my under seat filters but mine has NEVER been that cold. Ice pack? Not this car lol.