Ventilated Seats

ChipB · 06-01-2014, 01:19 PM

How can you tell if the ventilated seats are actually working? We turn the switch on, and can hear the fan in the seat running, but don't feel air being blown out through the seat cushion. It's different with the ventilated seats on our Audi A6 - with that car you can definitely feel the air coming through the perforated holes in the seat. So - what should we feel when the ventilated seats in the BMW are operating?

///SAL · 06-01-2014, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipB

How can you tell if the ventilated seats are actually working? We turn the switch on, and can hear the fan in the seat running, but don't feel air being blown out through the seat cushion. It's different with the ventilated seats on our Audi A6 - with that car you can definitely feel the air coming through the perforated holes in the seat. So - what should we feel when the ventilated seats in the BMW are operating?

Frozen back

Diper · 06-01-2014, 02:07 PM

I've got them and they work fine, but PLEASE bear in mind, that they circulate the air which is being delivered by the airconditioning. So if you're heating the Cabin it is of little use. Furthermore the output will be higher if you turn on the blower to a higher level. Just give the system a couple of minutes with the blower at step two or higher and temperature relatively low.

MtgMaster · 06-02-2014, 05:57 AM

A common complaint and I agree. I like that they are ventilated vs cooled but wish they blew stronger.

Tommyvee · 06-02-2014, 07:24 AM

I ordered the ventilated seats, but I don't have my vehicle yet. When doing some online searches I found conflicting info about them but I believe they may actually draw air away from the seats rather than pushing air through the vents.

stewy604 · 06-02-2014, 10:00 AM

I didn't opt for this option on my new X5...I thought I would miss them, having had them on my F150 Platinum. OP, if you don't feel air movement on the seat, there may be an issue. Air should be flowing from the perforations via forced air.

Windy City · 06-02-2014, 11:41 AM

I can't say I feel the "ventilation" at all. If it's there, it's slight.

providence · 06-02-2014, 01:55 PM

I have them on my F15 and would agree that the circulation is not as robust as I was hoping for. However, this was not a surprise as I remember a tread on this same topic few weeks back where ppl were expressing these same views/concerns. I ordered them anyway expecting not to be "blown away"

.
I think its all by design...

stewy604 · 06-02-2014, 02:02 PM

After reading this and the other threads I'm glad I didn't spend the extra money...sounds like they need a re-design.

JS919 · 06-02-2014, 04:32 PM

BMW ventilated seats (I was going to say they suck, but in reality they don't) are a waist of money. I've had them in my M6, M5, and 550i and they had no noticeable effect in any of those cars. You can tell they are on because they make noise. They are supposed to pull air through the seat perforations and exhaust it out of the back of the seats.

They are not designed circulate air from the A/C system (as stated in previous post) and changing your A/C setting will have no effect on how they perform.

I specifically decided not to order them on my X5 because of my past experience with other BMWs. On the other hand my Ram pick-up truck has ventilated seats that work awesome, you can feel the air moving immediately upon turning them on.

JS919 · 06-02-2014, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diper

I've got them and they work fine, but PLEASE bear in mind, that they circulate the air which is being delivered by the airconditioning. So if you're heating the Cabin it is of little use. Furthermore the output will be higher if you turn on the blower to a higher level. Just give the system a couple of minutes with the blower at step two or higher and temperature relatively low.

This information is completely incorrect!

If the air that ventilates the seats was circulated from the blower for the air conditioning there would be a duct from air conditioning system to the seat. Take a good look around your seat, good luck finding a duct, because there isn't one.

ybd2 · 06-02-2014, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS919

This information is completely incorrect!

If the air that ventilates the seats was circulated from the blower for the air conditioning there would be a duct from air conditioning system to the seat. Take a good look around your seat, good luck finding a duct, because there isn't one.

I don't know what it is or is not connected to. But I can tell you that I had my car coded and now the ventilation is much cooler and more noticeable. Actually worthwhile.

HansRobert · 06-03-2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommyvee

I ordered the ventilated seats, but I don't have my vehicle yet. When doing some online searches I found conflicting info about them but I believe they may actually draw air away from the seats rather than pushing air through the vents.

I can't comment on the ventilated seats on the X5 (as I don't have one yet) but I have ventilated seats on my Lexus RX and my RAM Laramie (BTW this is an awesome vehicle). The Lexus blows air thru the seats and the RAM draws air. FWIW the drawing of air is much more noticeable and cooler. It appears as thought X5 blows air.

There is another issue and that is having the seats perforated. When I order a X5 I don't plan to get the ventilated seats. I don't like the perforation and blowing air is not very effective, IMHO!

ChipB · 06-09-2014, 01:40 PM

Here's an update on the mystery of the "ventilated" seats. My wife took the truck to our dealer and asked the service guys about it, and they just scratched theuir heads and said they have no information friom BMW NA on how the ventilated seats work. The so-called "genius" wasn't so smart either. Then last week I got a call from a fellow at BMW NA which was in response to my sales experience questionaire, and during that conversation and I asked him about it - he was surprised that no one at the dealer could answer our question. he was trying to be helpful - later he called around to a few dealerships and came up with very little, though he did hear from one source that the "ventilated" seat is actually just a blower that circulates cabin air (which with the A/C running presumably is cooler then the seat) inside the seat so that its thermal mass is cooled a bit quicker than it would otherwise be. In other words there is no blowing of air through perforated holes as on other marques like Audi. But I'll be damned if I can find any evidence of air being exhausted out the back or bottom of the seat when the fan is running. So it's still a mystery!

SpeedN8 · 06-09-2014, 01:47 PM

After they've been on for about 5-10 minutes, touch the seat under your butt and see if it feels cool. That coolness is about all you get. I have them on my 14 X5d and had hoped it would be a nice cool breeze, but they're just like the ones I had on a 2011 Escalade. Just a cool seat. It is nice though since I have a all black interior to not have hot seats.

-Nate

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipB

How can you tell if the ventilated seats are actually working? We turn the switch on, and can hear the fan in the seat running, but don't feel air being blown out through the seat cushion. It's different with the ventilated seats on our Audi A6 - with that car you can definitely feel the air coming through the perforated holes in the seat. So - what should we feel when the ventilated seats in the BMW are operating?

ChipB · 06-09-2014, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedN8

After they've been on for about 5-10 minutes, touch the seat under your butt and see if it feels cool. That coolness is about all you get. I have them on my 14 X5d and had hoped it would be a nice cool breeze, but they're just like the ones I had on a 2011 Escalade. Just a cool seat. It is nice though since I have a all black interior to not have hot seats.

-Nate

So in your opinion do you think it gets cool because A/C lines are run into the seat (sort of similar to how heated seats work), or does it simply circulate cabin air inside the seat?

wdimagineer · 06-09-2014, 02:43 PM

The BMW seats draw air in. There is no attachment to the car's HVAC system. The fan can be adjusted (via coding) to give the perception of being "cooler" but it in fact is all about the airflow.

SpeedN8 · 06-09-2014, 03:12 PM

If I hadn't read what others are saying in here then I would be of the opinion that it was coming from the A/C because it's cool to the touch. It's also very possible that it's just sucking in the cold air that my max a/c happens to be blowing out when I'm wanting my seats cooled.

Wonder what would happen if I turned on the heat in the car but then turned on my seat cooling? Anyone other than me want to do that test?

As to if it's worth it.... Probably not to some but I'm happier with than without. The comfort seats are worth it in my opinion but the cooled seats can be done without.

-Nate

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipB

So in your opinion do you think it gets cool because A/C lines are run into the seat (sort of similar to how heated seats work), or does it simply circulate cabin air inside the seat?

wdimagineer · 06-09-2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedN8

If I hadn't read what others are saying in here then I would be of the opinion that it was coming from the A/C because it's cool to the touch. It's also very possible that it's just sucking in the cold air that my max a/c happens to be blowing out when I'm wanting my seats cooled.

Wonder what would happen if I turned on the heat in the car but then turned on my seat cooling? Anyone other than me want to do that test?

As to if it's worth it.... Probably not to some but I'm happier with than without. The comfort seats are worth it in my opinion but the cooled seats can be done without.

-Nate

They'd still serve to cool you.

MtgMaster · 06-10-2014, 08:06 AM

Is the coding to increase fan speed something BMW service will do for you? I too feel just about nothing...

NOVA99 · 06-10-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS919

This information is completely incorrect!

If the air that ventilates the seats was circulated from the blower for the air conditioning there would be a duct from air conditioning system to the seat. Take a good look around your seat, good luck finding a duct, because there isn't one.

Spot on. The BMW ventilated seats are not worth the money. Had them in 2-E70s. They are nothing like my F150 Platinum or other "Cooled" seats in my previous vehicles. BMW needs a redesign.

hellomyBMW · 07-17-2015, 02:05 PM

I recently got my X6 and I too feel that the ventilated seats do not work very well. I have had a 2010 X5 before with ventilated seats and when I had the ventilated seats turned on, it was unbelievably cold. Not even close to what I feel on my 2012 X6...
Is there something wrong with my ventilated seats or is this a common issue?

06-01-2014, 01:19 PM	#1
ChipB First Lieutenant 54 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 'vert, 2014 X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Ventilated Seats - how to tell if they're working? How can you tell if the ventilated seats are actually working? We turn the switch on, and can hear the fan in the seat running, but don't feel air being blown out through the seat cushion. It's different with the ventilated seats on our Audi A6 - with that car you can definitely feel the air coming through the perforated holes in the seat. So - what should we feel when the ventilated seats in the BMW are operating? __________________ F83 M4 convertible, F15 X5 xDrive35i Previous: E93 335i, E36 328iC, E28 528e, E21 320i Last edited by ChipB; 06-01-2014 at 02:21 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-01-2014, 02:07 PM	#3
Diper Private First Class 47 Rep 168 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 3.0d Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Netherlands, Europe iTrader: (0)	I've got them and they work fine, but PLEASE bear in mind, that they circulate the air which is being delivered by the airconditioning. So if you're heating the Cabin it is of little use. Furthermore the output will be higher if you turn on the blower to a higher level. Just give the system a couple of minutes with the blower at step two or higher and temperature relatively low.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2014, 05:57 AM	#4
MtgMaster Private First Class 30 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [0.00]	A common complaint and I agree. I like that they are ventilated vs cooled but wish they blew stronger.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2014, 07:24 AM	#5
Tommyvee Private First Class 28 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 X5, 2016 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago Western Suburbs iTrader: (0)	I ordered the ventilated seats, but I don't have my vehicle yet. When doing some online searches I found conflicting info about them but I believe they may actually draw air away from the seats rather than pushing air through the vents.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2014, 10:00 AM	#6
stewy604 Lieutenant Colonel 290 Rep 1,547 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	I didn't opt for this option on my new X5...I thought I would miss them, having had them on my F150 Platinum. OP, if you don't feel air movement on the seat, there may be an issue. Air should be flowing from the perforations via forced air. __________________ 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750
	Appreciate 0 Quote

		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Ventilated Seats - how to tell if they're working?

06-02-2014, 11:41 AM	#7
Windy City Private 14 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 IND/ESS modded vert Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Plainfield, IL iTrader: (0)	I can't say I feel the "ventilation" at all. If it's there, it's slight.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2014, 01:55 PM	#8
providence Private First Class 19 Rep 192 Posts Drives: X3 35xi, F15 X5 (35d), 1M Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: PA / Canada iTrader: (0)	I have them on my F15 and would agree that the circulation is not as robust as I was hoping for. However, this was not a surprise as I remember a tread on this same topic few weeks back where ppl were expressing these same views/concerns. I ordered them anyway expecting not to be "blown away" . I think its all by design...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2014, 02:02 PM	#9
stewy604 Lieutenant Colonel 290 Rep 1,547 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	After reading this and the other threads I'm glad I didn't spend the extra money...sounds like they need a re-design. __________________ 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-02-2014, 04:32 PM	#10
JS919 First Lieutenant 97 Rep 380 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	BMW ventilated seats (I was going to say they suck, but in reality they don't) are a waist of money. I've had them in my M6, M5, and 550i and they had no noticeable effect in any of those cars. You can tell they are on because they make noise. They are supposed to pull air through the seat perforations and exhaust it out of the back of the seats. They are not designed circulate air from the A/C system (as stated in previous post) and changing your A/C setting will have no effect on how they perform. I specifically decided not to order them on my X5 because of my past experience with other BMWs. On the other hand my Ram pick-up truck has ventilated seats that work awesome, you can feel the air moving immediately upon turning them on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-09-2014, 01:40 PM	#14
ChipB First Lieutenant 54 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 'vert, 2014 X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Update Here's an update on the mystery of the "ventilated" seats. My wife took the truck to our dealer and asked the service guys about it, and they just scratched theuir heads and said they have no information friom BMW NA on how the ventilated seats work. The so-called "genius" wasn't so smart either. Then last week I got a call from a fellow at BMW NA which was in response to my sales experience questionaire, and during that conversation and I asked him about it - he was surprised that no one at the dealer could answer our question. he was trying to be helpful - later he called around to a few dealerships and came up with very little, though he did hear from one source that the "ventilated" seat is actually just a blower that circulates cabin air (which with the A/C running presumably is cooler then the seat) inside the seat so that its thermal mass is cooled a bit quicker than it would otherwise be. In other words there is no blowing of air through perforated holes as on other marques like Audi. But I'll be damned if I can find any evidence of air being exhausted out the back or bottom of the seat when the fan is running. So it's still a mystery! __________________ F83 M4 convertible, F15 X5 xDrive35i Previous: E93 335i, E36 328iC, E28 528e, E21 320i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-09-2014, 02:43 PM	#17
wdimagineer Major 359 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	The BMW seats draw air in. There is no attachment to the car's HVAC system. The fan can be adjusted (via coding) to give the perception of being "cooler" but it in fact is all about the airflow. __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2014, 08:06 AM	#20
MtgMaster Private First Class 30 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [0.00]	Is the coding to increase fan speed something BMW service will do for you? I too feel just about nothing...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2015, 02:05 PM	#22
hellomyBMW Private First Class 32 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X6 50i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW X5 4.8i (S ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 335is [10.00] 2012 BMW X6 50i [0.00]	I recently got my X6 and I too feel that the ventilated seats do not work very well. I have had a 2010 X5 before with ventilated seats and when I had the ventilated seats turned on, it was unbelievably cold. Not even close to what I feel on my 2012 X6... Is there something wrong with my ventilated seats or is this a common issue?
	Appreciate 0 Quote