My seat heaters are the same way--I can't tell that they're on. I tried turning on the passenger's seat heater to see what would happen, and I felt no difference whatsoever in the seat temp.

But if it feels like the seat heaters aren't really on, to me it sometimes feels like they aren't really off either. I've noticed that the bottom of my thighs and my lower back get a little bit sweaty when sitting in the seat. Is that just the leather seat? I've never had leather in my car before, and I certainly didn't get that sensation with the cloth seats in my old Camry. I thought good leather seats don't make you sweat like that though. Are these leather seats not that high quality?

 

Interesting to read this thread because I really like the seat warmers so they definitely work well in my car, especially as the temperature has gone down to 40. They definitely aren't "heaters" though. The warmth is subtle, which is probably better than being too hot. Too bad they aren't adjustable, sounds like some people want it warmer.

 

I only tried mine once and they seemed weak

 

I have now tried them on cooler days, and they do get slightly warm, so I know they are working. When I take the car in to the dealer for its first oil change, I will have them look at it. Hopefully it is adjustable by them in some way.

 

they just made my *** sweat.

james

 

I just picked my winning blue 6mt on friday and the outside temp was about 54. they kicked right on and I had no problem. They were quite toasty.

 

I wonder if those of you who aren't seeing any difference should get yours checked out. I tried mine when I first got the car, and did't notice any difference. Now, I realize that's because the seat was already warm from the outside temp. This morning, it was about 55-60 degrees, and I accidently hit the button when starting the car. Two minutes out of my parking lot, my seat was suddenly VERY warm. I was really confused until I realize I must have accidently turned it on- there was NO QUESTION that it was warming up quite a bit and very quickly. I am really going to like these heaters come winter.

 

I guess I'll try again when it gets cold but I'm in ca so that might be awhile

 

I think mine are coming on by themselves (switch in OFF position). I was driving home the other night (one of the rare times I've driven at night and during cool weather) and the seats were uncomfortably warm. I have black leather seats, so during my day-time driving I thought the discomfort was just from the black leather being in the sun. But now I think that the heaters are coming on by themselves.

I also have black leather seats in my '91 MR2-Turbo and they never feel this hot, so I don't think it's just me.

Anybody else expereince this???

 

There is no question that the seat heaters are really warmers. It was 40 here in Chitown tonight and turned them on. Yes they are warmer than without them, but not more than luke warm. I was driving around my mom's jeep grand cherokee limited yesterday (I needed to move soem stuff into my house) and I turned on those seat warmers. WOW. They were hot as hell. I actuaylly had to turn them off. I don't think I'll have that problem with the RX-8's also I wish I would.

 

i had mine on for the first time this morning. ambient temperature was 56. its a short drive to work about 5 miless and it seemed only my back was warm. is the whole seat supposed to get warm or just the back?

 

I've felt them to be warm a few times now - at a temperature of 60 (AMB). At AMB temperature 63 Fahrenheit they do not heat.

My conclusion is that the threshold is right about there. Probably they work up to an AMB temp. of 60 (even number).

For those outside the USA..

60 Fahrenheit = 15.6 Celsius

-Peter

 

Mine heat very well. Lower back and legs both got quite warm. Was <40F this morning, if I can find a thermo-strip I'll try to measure the output temp on mine...

 

The colder the ambient temp, the warmer they feel. Kinda like running almost frostbitten hands under the sink... that cold water seems warm.

It's been in the upper 30's (F not C) for the past few mornings and the seat warmers feel HOT. Another bonus is that they heat up alot faster than even the rotary engine does. :D

 

what a lovely thought...heh..

I think having leather seat doesn't help either..


Question.. what do you all think of seat covers?? do you think the seat heaters would not work as well?

 

this thread sparked my curiosity as i've never even used them before...plus it was about 45 degrees F last night while driving home...thankfully they worked both driver and passenger side...and as many other people have stated, they are warm but not hot which is a good thing because last time i sat in my friends BMW, they got hot to the point that you need to turn them off constantly before your *** sweats...and the good thing is the fact that the lower lumbar region also warms up...i like it the way it is although it would be nice to have a temperature control somewhere

 

adjustable heaters would be good for version 2.0 come 05 or whatever

like an on/off switch next to a little scroller that controls the heat output
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Body Science