Heated seats don't stay hot

Loki · #1 11-17-2008, 01:25 PM

I just got my E70 back in July and am using the heated seats for the first time, since it just started to get cold. When I turn on the heated seats at their highest setting, they become very warm after about 3 minutes, but then after about 5-10 minutes after that...they no longer remain hot (i.e. the temperature relaxes to the temperature of the cabin and it no longer feels hot or even warm). The light for the heated seats remains on. If I try quickly cycling through the stages and turn it off for a few seconds and back to the highest setting it does not seem to get hot again. If I turn it off for an extended period of time (several minutes) and then turn it back on it does seem to get warm again...but then the same thing happens after 5-10 minutes.

Is this normal?

It says in the manual "The temperature is reduced, if need be, down to no heat in order to reduce load on the battery. The LEDs remain lit.", but that makes no sense as this happens while I am driving and the alternator should be charging the battery anyway. For reference, this is a MY2008 E70 with active ventilated seats and the behavior is the same on the driver or passenger seat.

Thanks

cmyX6go · #2 11-17-2008, 01:31 PM

I think they just don't get as hot as they should. I've tried changing the settings for the heat distribution, but it doesn't help. The heated seats on my E53 got hot and stayed hot. How did we ever live before heated seats and steering wheels?

I HATE WINTER

brian5 · #3 11-17-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmyX5go

I think they just don't get as hot as they should. I've tried changing the settings for the heat distribution, but it doesn't help. The heated seats on my E53 got hot and stayed hot. How did we ever live before heated seats and steering wheels?

I HATE WINTER

My seats definitely do get hot and I have to turn them off after a while. I don't even use the "3 LED" setting -- I just use the "1 LED" as the former is too hot. I haven't noticed them actually switching off on their own though. I'll have leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes and see...

nynd · #4 11-17-2008, 02:17 PM

I echo Brian's comments.. I'm like on the 1st setting.. any hotter and you could make toast! Mine don't turn off either for a while... and even if you exit the car (turn it off) and get back in.. it remains active when you get back in depending on how long you've exited.

cmyX6go · #5 11-17-2008, 02:20 PM

Maybe some of us like our butts hotter than others

. Mine is always on 3 bars.

jaaX3 · #6 11-17-2008, 02:21 PM

Maybe your body (butt) adjusted to the temp and it doesn't feel as hot as when you first turn it on?

Loki · #7 11-17-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaaX3

Maybe your body (butt) adjusted to the temp and it doesn't feel as hot as when you first turn it on?

I thought this might be what was happening, but it goes from being very warm to feeling no heat at all. Also, as I said if I turn off the the heated seats for a few minutes (2 or 3 minutes) and turn them back on, I feel it then heat the seats _very_ warm again. There's no way my pants/body cooled off that much in two minutes in a cabin that is fully heated. Also, I have used heated seats in other cars (MB,Lexus) and never felt the sensation of the seats being turned off after heating up before (with the LEDs still displayed as on).