Can the seats be heated?
4 Answers
Seats can be heated. The details are as follows: 1. It can be installed additionally. Buy a USB-connected seat heating pad and place it under the seat cover, then plug it into the cigarette lighter to USB adapter. 2. The seat heating function uses electric heating wires inside the seat to heat the interior and transfers the heat to the occupant through thermal conduction, improving the discomfort caused by the low temperature of the seat after prolonged parking in winter. 3. The heat of the seat comes from a heating system installed inside the seat that generates heat, which is essentially a heating panel installed, and the heat is dissipated through the electric heating wires of the heating panel, similar to an electric blanket.
My own car comes with seat heating, which is a lifesaver in winter! The heating wires are hidden in the seat foam, with three adjustable temperature levels, and it gets warm within just one minute after activation. I recommend remotely starting the heating before getting in the car so the leather seats won't freeze your butt. Be careful not to use the highest setting for too long, as it can dry out and crack the genuine leather. Some cars even sync with the air conditioning, automatically lowering the heating level once the desired temperature is reached. Heated rear seats are even more practical, and my family always praises this feature when we go out with the elderly or kids. However, lower trim models might not have this feature, so it's important to ask about it when buying a car.
Last winter, I tested the seat heating effect: it took only 3 minutes to warm up to 38°C on the second setting, much faster than the air conditioning. The principle involves using carbon fiber or resistance wires to generate heat when electrified, with high-end cars even offering zoned heating. I usually keep it on medium while driving and turn it up to high when parked. I've heard that installing aftermarket heating pads can be risky, potentially blowing a fuse. Also, always turn off the heating when cleaning the seats to avoid any trouble from moisture getting into the circuits. Heated steering wheels are even more comfortable, but unfortunately, my car doesn't have one.
Seat heating comes in two types: resistance wire and carbon fiber. Resistance wire heats up quickly but may have hot spots, while carbon fiber provides even heating and is more durable. When getting in the car, start with the high setting to warm the seat quickly, then switch to low to save power. Be careful not to place metal objects on the seat; coins heated to 60°C can cause burns. Fabric seats heat up slower than leather ones. If an older car's heating is slow, it might be due to aging heating wires, requiring replacement of the entire heating pad.
