Cooled Seats - How cold do yours get?

[Ilya]

So...with it being really warm this summer...I've noticed that my ventilated seats don't get that cold...usually not even noticeable. Are they all like that or do you actually feel cold coming from your seats?

Should I take it in for service? If I feel behind me while driving...pretty much the VERY bottom of the seat (near the lumbar) is cold...but the part that touches my butt cheeks or back is warm (from my skin).

Are mine busted? I have warranty for another 7kmi...

[jmissile]

I noticed the same. Only my tailbone gets uncomfortably cool on high but none of the rest of the seat seems to cool at all. Cleaned the seat filters which were disgusting but made no difference at all. Figured it was poorly designed, never thought to have the dealer check it out

[beachbum718]

Clean filters. I noticed mine dont get so cold with ac off n just seats on.with ac on.they work better

[Ilya]

My AC was on full blast 60* and my seat filters were cleaned earlier this spring...so that shouldn't be it. I can hear the fans running...but it's almost like no cold air is ever getting really near the seat.

Come to think of it, my heated seats aren't that great either.

[ArmedAviator]

I think the second sometimes. The first two settings seem to do nothing for temperature. The highest setting does cool down the seat after a period of time, but even then not that great. I'd I reach down between my crotch and feel the seat it feels colder, not icy, but colder. I can also feel air flow from the seat...or maybe just convection airflow but I don't think it's the latter.

[LeRoy712]

I'm in the same boat. I don't notice much of a difference when the cold seat is turned on. I only feel it near my tailbone area sometimes. I chalked it up to me living in the Phoenix where the summer heat is on another level.

[DredM56]

The back of the seat on mine doesn't get super cold but you can notice it. The bottom gets too cold if on high for a decent amount of time. It feels like sitting on a block of ice

[Larz]

The perforations in the leather get clogged from dirt, etc. When I stop noticing a cool feeling on my back and butt, I steam the seats and treat them with a product that won't clog the holes (Griot's garage).
If you don't have a steamer, the next best thing is a VERY soft brush. Apply a leather cleaner lightly to the surface and GENTLY agitate it into a foam with the soft brush. Wipe it clean with a microfiber towel. Microfiber will absorb the foam and loosened dirt instead of mashing it into the holes the way a regular towel will. Do this several times if necessary. The two problem areas on my seats are the back of the driver seat from driving without a shirt which lets skin oils, sunscreen, etc seep into the holes, and the seat portion on the passenger side from Fetucini's leg creams, perfumes, and god-knows what else women apply to themselves to make them look absolutely stunning.

Here is a great video of the cleaning processes: https://youtu.be/NtkDG6pNkI4

[pedsemdoc]

Here is a great video of the cleaning processes: https://youtu.be/NtkDG6pNkI4

I love watching Larry from Ammo NYC - he gives a lot of good information and makes it seem pretty simple, although I'm sure not all detailers are cut from the same cloth...

[Ilya]

The back of the seat on mine doesn't get super cold but you can notice it. The bottom gets too cold if on high for a decent amount of time. It feels like sitting on a block of ice

Block of ice? I'll have to meet you and test this out and then we can go together to Lia and prove I'm not crazy lol. I can have mine set on high literally all day and I won't feel a single change.

I will try the cleaning route mentioned above to see if it helps...and will recheck the filter to make sure they didn't magically get super dirty in the last 6-8 months.

[DredM56]

I would say you have a problem then. I can feel the air blowing out on my hand. I want to try Larz cleaning idea on the back of mine. I do often drive with no shirt on. Also my gf said hers doesn't feel as cold on her legs maybe because of lotion and sweat from her legs like he said

[Ilya]

I can hear my fans but can't feel any air usually.

[mikedamageinc]

Where are these seat filters you guys speak of?

[Ilya]

Where are these seat filters you guys speak of?

See the FAQ thread in my signature on how to find (and clean) them.

[ibc]

I cleaned my seat filters, but the seats are not really cooled. I don't feel it. Heating yes, cooling no.
Perhaps the seat perforations are a bit dirty? They look pretty clean to me. The seat color is a very light greyish, so dirt would be visible.
How strong should the air flow be, under there?

[M37xfan]

I cleaned my seat filters, but the seats are not really cooled. I don't feel it. Heating yes, cooling no.
Perhaps the seat perforations are a bit dirty? They look pretty clean to me. The seat color is a very light greyish, so dirt would be visible.
How strong should the air flow be, under there?

when you turn on the cooling, can you hear the fan running?

[Ilya]

I can hear the fan running but can't feel much air coming out of the seat. I think the only reason why I feel the seat a little cooler or warmer is because of residual heat/cold under the seat from the fan. I have to get around to cleaning the perforations as discussed above to see if it helps.

[Big_Tone]

I noticed the same thing. I think I may have clogged the holes when I applied leather treatment. I'm going to buy a steamer and see if that does the trick.

[Ilya]

Anyone here have a small steamer they recommend? Don't want to spend $300 on a steamer, but a small one for sub-$100 might be a good thing to have around the house.

Currently looking at this one:

AutoRight C900017 Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner

Also, I know some of you are into detailing...if I was to steam clean my seats...I DON'T need to use a leather cleaner then right? But I DO need to still condition them? Is there anything else I should put on the seat after the conditioner?

[InfinitiAce]

Anyone here have a small steamer they recommend? Don't want to spend $300 on a steamer, but a small one for sub-$100 might be a good thing to have around the house.

Currently looking at this one:

AutoRight C900017 Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner

Also, I know some of you are into detailing...if I was to steam clean my seats...I DON'T need to use a leather cleaner then right? But I DO need to still condition them? Is there anything else I should put on the seat after the conditioner?

The autodetailing Reddit that I follow says the McCulloch cleaners are the best. This is their cheapest one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G00BT72/re ... B00G00BTEA

I bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G0 ... UTF8&psc=1

It is awesome. There are so many uses for it. You can clean your car, your couches, your hardwood floors and tile, everything. It came with a dozen or so attachments. I steamed my wife's leather, then cleaned it with a good leather cleaner and conditioner.

[Ilya]

Anyone here have a small steamer they recommend? Don't want to spend $300 on a steamer, but a small one for sub-$100 might be a good thing to have around the house.

Currently looking at this one:

AutoRight C900017 Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner

Also, I know some of you are into detailing...if I was to steam clean my seats...I DON'T need to use a leather cleaner then right? But I DO need to still condition them? Is there anything else I should put on the seat after the conditioner?

The autodetailing Reddit that I follow says the McCulloch cleaners are the best. This is their cheapest one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G00BT72/re ... B00G00BTEA

I bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G0 ... UTF8&psc=1

It is awesome. There are so many uses for it. You can clean your car, your couches, your hardwood floors and tile, everything. It came with a dozen or so attachments. I steamed my wife's leather, then cleaned it with a good leather cleaner and conditioner.

Good info. Thank you.

[austin713]

i just took the filters out yesterday and ran them under the faucet with some dish detergent and let them air dry. put them back in this morning and holy cool butt batman i didnt realize how dirty mine were. ive got 88k miles and im pretty sure they have never been cleaned.

[Big_Tone]

This is the one I ordered...

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

Cost $23.99

[Ilya]

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.

[mrnix]

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.

same here. I have a Wagner steamer we bought to remove wallpaper, but haven't used it for anything since. Maybe it will come in handy again.

[DFW2011M56S]

90K miles and to my knowledge the filters have never been touched. After driving a Q50 with black leather for a week in 100°F and beyond the seat coolers are very noticeable on my M56. They cool down relatively quickly and at first f before their effect became normal, felt like someone had poured cool water on the seat.

[Larz]

Anyone here have a small steamer they recommend? Don't want to spend $300 on a steamer, but a small one for sub-$100 might be a good thing to have around the house.

Currently looking at this one:

AutoRight C900017 Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner

Also, I know some of you are into detailing...if I was to steam clean my seats...I DON'T need to use a leather cleaner then right? But I DO need to still condition them? Is there anything else I should put on the seat after the conditioner?

Hi Ilya,
The link you posted is a good choice. Personally, I use a McCulloch but the model you linked will do just fine in the car or even on grout, drapes, etc. FYI, McCulloch makes a model with gobs of accesories for about the same price as the one in your link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Box-McCu ... SwuTxV9Bmx

After steaming, use a leather preserving product like Griot's leather care spray. It will NOT build up if the perforations like most products. Some auto parts stores now carry Griot's products on a separate rack by themselves. Or you can order it here and have it in a couple pf days:
https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/le ... e+spray.do

[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.

[Ilya]

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.

[DocJim]

Takes a long trip to get cold.