Question about "Active Seat" option
 

Option #451 of the Active ventilated seat package (ZAV) lists an active seat for driver. What exactly does this refer to??

Thanks

I believe this means the seat slightly adjusts itself over time, side-to-side, to prevent pressure points from developing.

Back in the 1960s, GM while testing vehicles coast-to-coast tried to find which seat type was most comfortable. What they found was that after a while, many of the long-distance testers would sit on their clipboards, simply to get a different set of pressure points on their posterior.

It's the same concept as why people get bedsores when they are bedridden.

So the active seats simple adjust the postion subtly over time to avoid developing pressure points.

I'm 95% sure about that explanation.

:iagree:. Active seats is where a small motor slightly shifts the seat over time to prevent fatigue. It's not really massaging you, and you shouldn't really feel it that much.

i heard it was a couple of pouches with fluids (in the bottom seat cushion) that gets inflated and deflated in an alternating pattern. try doing a search.

It appears one has to opt for the ventilated seat option to receive this feature. Why wouldn't it be available without the ventilated option??

To avoid complexity in the factory and add yet another seat variation to the construction build. The same reason people in Hawaii cannot order a vehicle without a heater, or order lumbar support without leather seats.

I use to work for an auto company, and build complexity was one of the major contributing factors to build mistakes on the assembly line. As a result, options and such are often lumped together in a package if Marketing figures there is little demand for them indvidually.

I have it in my x5. I don't really use it at all. It is a slow Rotate from Left to Right, Stop , Right to Left Stop. It is annoying after 10 minutes. It is included in the Active Seat Option. The A/C Seat is AWSOME!

We have it in our X5 and it's very good on long drives. It is annoying at first but after a few minutes you don't even notice it and it really relieves the muscles in your butt and upper legs.

The 7 series used to have it in both the driver and front passenger seats equipped with ventilated seats but the accountants realized they could save a few bucks and it was eliminated from the passenger's seat. They've just carried the same system over to the X5.

I test drove a fully loaded 4.8i and it had this option. The salesperson turned it on but I could barely feel it. It would make the left half of the seat cushion really hard and raised, then the right etc. It felt like I was sitting lopsided and was wondering if there was something wrong with the seat, but then realized what it was. Pretty lame option in my opinion.

I can feel mine...I only use it on long trips though. Works great to relieve stress in your legs and rear end. On drives over 6 hrs it is priceless.