Heated seats?

[B-52 Gunner]

Maybe a dumb question but I have never had "Heated Seats" before. When I remote start my Tacoma with the heated seats on it seems like the seats don't get hot unless I'm sitting on them.
Someone once told me the heat is not activated until the is body weight on them. It that accurate?

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[Gear_yyc]

I don't believe that's true, but they're pretty low wattage, so without a body there to basically retain the heat, the surface temperature of the seats won't get very warm. When it's SUPER cold out, it definitely takes the edge off when remote starting, though. Like if it's -20 and you get in your truck after remote starting with heated seats on, it doesn't freeze your ass immediately

 

[Pappy]

I don't think it takes body weight to make them work. They do take awhile to warm up, especially if you have seat covers.

 

[Airborne]

While I have never remotely started, lol. I do love the heated seat and steering wheel feature, mine seem to warm up in a reasonable time, to the point I have to lower the setting because if on high setting its to warm, oh well …she’s cold I’m warm , I’m glad truck has Seperate settings for passenger, if I’m to warm, wife is to cold lol
David

 

[tragisj]

The wattage is kept low on autostart to prevent the seat from overheating. The issue is without a heat conduit (human) a high watt flow runs the risk of damage/fire due to a lack of thermal transfer. Without the transfer the seat will cook itself.

 

[lauren01]

The wattage is kept low on autostart to prevent the seat from overheating. The issue is without a heat conduit (human) a high watt flow runs the risk of damage/fire due to a lack of thermal transfer. Without the transfer the seat will cook itself.

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining. I have wondered about this phenomenon (why my kidneys roast but pre-warming is minimal).

 

[907Yota]

I certainly like them on days like this.

 

[tragisj]

I certainly like them on days like this.

Same. I cheated, though. This is the 21 4Runner. It's been the coldest winter we've had in 80-something years. I do have the heated seats and wheel, which I thought was weak sauce until this winter. Are you in Anchortown or Fairbanks?

 

[907Yota]

In between. That photo of the dashboard was at Kashwitna Lake last week. (Near Willow)

Of course you’re probably aware of what’s happening today. The pineapple express from Hawaii headed north and it is pouring down rain in Anchorage and Willow. The temperature literally changed 65° in just a few days.

 

[tragisj]

In between. That photo of the dashboard was at Kashwitna Lake last week. (Near Willow)

Of course you’re probably aware of what’s happening today. The pineapple express from Hawaii headed north and it is pouring down rain in Anchorage and Willow. The temperature literally changed 65° in just a few days.

Mass jump. Fairbanks is just below freezing. Rain in winter is such a trashy way to go. But dang does it feel good to breath again and not have everything feel so brittle.

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