heated/cooled seats

[Racer M35x]

maybe Im just not used to how they work (never had ac seats before) but it seems like it takes a while before they cool down and then it seems like its not doing so evenly through out the seat. Is this normal? Or should I have it checked out? Just seems it should be working faster/better. Thanks

[svard75]

How are you able to determine that it's not evenly distributing the cooling? For mine I typically feel the cooling effects in (Provided my AC is on cooling) about 2-3 minutes. It feels like my a** is cold or I pissed myself. I hardly feel it on my back but then again I know it's working because on those really hot days when my shirt back would normally be soaked, it's not, so I'm happy with my 8 year old cooling seats. I have never replaced the filters under the seat.

[Wangtang408]

How are you able to determine that it's not evenly distributing the cooling? For mine I typically feel the cooling effects in (Provided my AC is on cooling) about 2-3 minutes. It feels like my a** is cold or I pissed myself. I hardly feel it on my back but then again I know it's working because on those really hot days when my shirt back would normally be soaked, it's not, so I'm happy with my 8 year old cooling seats. I have never replaced the filters under the seat.

It does feel like you pissed yourself, I always trick my friends and turn it on when they sit passenger

[svard75]

How are you able to determine that it's not evenly distributing the cooling? For mine I typically feel the cooling effects in (Provided my AC is on cooling) about 2-3 minutes. It feels like my a** is cold or I pissed myself. I hardly feel it on my back but then again I know it's working because on those really hot days when my shirt back would normally be soaked, it's not, so I'm happy with my 8 year old cooling seats. I have never replaced the filters under the seat.

It does feel like you pissed yourself, I always trick my friends and turn it on when they sit passenger

I wonder how we know what it feels like to piss yourself

[mac1183]

except when you piss yourself it gets warm....

[Racer M35x]

thanks guys, when I turn it on it takes 2-3 minutes which I thought was long (buddys new car seems like in 30 seconds his seats are cold) feels like the cooling effect I feel is more towards the front of the seat as opposed to the whole seat. I guess the back part doesnt seem as cooling as the seat part but as msvara stated, it must be or my back would be sweaty. Also, at times it seems like it surges, gets cold and backs off, and back on. Maybe just the system coming on and off again.

[svard75]

It shouldn't be surging. Check to see if you have the underseat filters installed. If not then it's possible hair and other junk is stuck in the blower motor??

[Racer M35x]

thanks msvara, is that something I can tell by just moving the seat up? Or do I have to remove any type of cover to see the filters? thanks again

[atlM35]

One little trick to help with the seat cooling, have some of your A/C air going to the floor.
The front feels cooler because air is allowed to freely flow through as opposed to the holes being stopped by your rear.

[m4m]

thanks guys, when I turn it on it takes 2-3 minutes which I thought was long (buddys new car seems like in 30 seconds his seats are cold).

Our M's and I believe GS350 have actuall a/c seats, not just ventilated like in most german cars.
Wondering which one your friend got, new M?

Edit* - just checked now you can get a/c seats in Kia Optima and drivers only in new Maxima

[Racer M35x]

m4m, sorry wasnt comparing apples to apples as far as cars go. He has a new Buick Lacrosse and within 30 seconds it was like sitting on snow... hah

[svard75]

You're right our seats have TEC technology so they both heat and cool.

[The00Dustin]

Our M's and I believe GS350 have actuall a/c seats, not just ventilated like in most german cars.
Wondering which one your friend got, new M?

Edit* - just checked now you can get a/c seats in Kia Optima and drivers only in new Maxima

m4m, sorry wasnt comparing apples to apples as far as cars go. He has a new Buick Lacrosse and within 30 seconds it was like sitting on snow... hah

You're right our seats have TEC technology so they both heat and cool.

TEC < A/C. I'm pretty sure GM literally uses an A/C zone to cool the seats and that's why the Buick Lacrosse cools them so much faster than the M. I have no experience in a Buick Lacrosse, but my 06 M45 is the same as everyone else describes, and the 08 CTS I have experience with (which was otherwise a POS) cooled all the way up the back (to the edge of the ventilated area, which my shoulders are higher than) and much more evenly through the entire ventilated area, much quicker, and actually felt like A/C (IIRC, airflow was significantly more than ours on the max setting). If it's not an A/C zone, I definitely have to say they did it right and Nissan didn't.

[svard75]

It depends they could have put multiple TEC's in parallel and that would equal more cooling, but in general you're right TEC sux compared to AC. I don't live in a climate where temps reach 40+ so for me the cooling effect is sufficient.

What I always wondered about this is all those tiny little holes and if you eat in your car and crumbs fall eventually those holes will clog up. Is there a way to open that up and clean them out?