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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Ventilated seats always hot
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      09-27-2015, 10:07 PM   #1
08msportx3
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Ventilated seats always hot

Anyone have that issue . 11 550 with front ventilated anytime I use the feature it seems the air coming out is very warm. I realize it's hot in the car in the summer and it must take time to cool down but it seems to never be cool air . Any suggestions or is the design not that good
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      09-28-2015, 09:59 AM   #2
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I have this same issue. I think I read in another thread that the BMW design is more of a cooling vacuum than fan. It pulls away the air while trying to cool the surface area or something, as compared to most US vented seats which actually blow towards you and make the whole area cooler.

I dunno though. I'd like to get it checked out as it doesn't work very well on hot days like my old Ford trucks or Cadillac CTS.
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      09-28-2015, 10:22 AM   #3
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I've had it now for almost three years and have been generally unimpressed. Mostly, I just forget that I even have it.

It is a fan system and you will get a better cooling "feel" if you crank down the temperature on the AC as well.
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      09-28-2015, 10:24 AM   #4
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Ventilated seats on the 5 series (or any other BMW if they're all like the ones found in the 5 series) are useless. The BMW Genius told me that it was just a fan, and that he even uses the ventilated feature in the winter along with heated seats to circulate the air. There is no cooling mechanism in these seats like most other manufacturers ventilated seats.
Like OP said you'll feel hot air coming out, and you'll notice it more around your neck area.

I got to drive a Cayenne GTS that had ventilated seats, and let me tell you in that car you will feel your butt getting cold within a couple of mins of turning on the ventilated seats.

If you're ordering a new BMW and live in a place that gets as hot as Dallas, do yourself a favor and skip the ventilated seats option...you can use the money for another option.
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      09-28-2015, 10:26 AM   #5
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I've had the same problem. It works better if you air out the car and turn on the cooling systems first. Let the seat cool down before sitting on it. Then you'll have a cool seat the whole time. If you sit on it right away, the hot air seems to get trapped there longer than it should.
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      09-28-2015, 10:41 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSBro View Post
I think I read in another thread that the BMW design is more of a cooling vacuum than fan. It pulls away the air while trying to cool the surface area or something, as compared to most US vented seats which actually blow towards you and make the whole area cooler.

I dunno though. I'd like to get it checked out as it doesn't work very well on hot days like my old Ford trucks or Cadillac CTS.
That other thread lied. They blow air out, just put a tissue on the seat with the cooling fans on and you'll see for yourself that it blows up and is not sucked in.

They are fine in both of my cars IF the AC is blowing cold air in the first place. They definitely are not like the Air Conditioned ones in a Ford or Cadillac, but they also don't make you feel like you've pee'd yourself, man, I HATE the ones in my F350 and never use them.
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      09-28-2015, 03:55 PM   #7
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It sucks air from under the seat using a fan. Turn on the bottom AC vents so cold air blows down there and results will improve.
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      09-28-2015, 07:21 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanM View Post
It sucks air from under the seat using a fan. Turn on the bottom AC vents so cold air blows down there and results will improve.
Exactly. When the air is nice and cold under the seats, the air sucked up and blowing up through the holes in the seat will be cool, but not uncomfortably cold
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      09-29-2015, 08:52 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wrickem View Post
That other thread lied. They blow air out, just put a tissue on the seat with the cooling fans on and you'll see for yourself that it blows up and is not sucked in.

They are fine in both of my cars IF the AC is blowing cold air in the first place. They definitely are not like the Air Conditioned ones in a Ford or Cadillac, but they also don't make you feel like you've pee'd yourself, man, I HATE the ones in my F350 and never use them.
This is TX. It's still 85 degrees in December lol. We use seat coolers year round!
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      10-06-2015, 05:13 PM   #10
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anyone else get coded for colder seats? and to retain the seat setting following shut down/start up? Pretty cool. I cant tell if it is actually cooler or not but I have found the seats to be plenty cool on all but the hottest of hot days....
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      10-08-2015, 03:10 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogueshot View Post
anyone else get coded for colder seats? and to retain the seat setting following shut down/start up? Pretty cool. I cant tell if it is actually cooler or not but I have found the seats to be plenty cool on all but the hottest of hot days....

Maybe placebo but I felt like they were cooler after coding. I agree though... they suck compared to my escalade seats.
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      10-12-2015, 07:39 PM   #12
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They suck less after having coded, but noticeably suckier than my wife's Infiniti. In the Infiniti my butt gets cold. In my BMW, ehhh... Could certainly live without them.
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      10-13-2015, 08:25 AM   #13
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Yes, could be better but still a lot better than not having them at all.
The Dakota leather seats without venting in my E60 were really hot.
Glad I have that option.
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