Yes yes... it was cold enough this morning that I had the heated seats on (and the heater was running). I did notice something with the heated seat functions though... First, a little background. The two vehicles that we've had heated seats were an 02 Camry XLE and an '08 smart fortwo. The Camry was single stage and the smart had dual stage. With both, they'd heat up quite nicely and get very hot. On both vehicles, I usually turn them off after they get nice and toasty (with the smart, I can just tone it down to the LOW setting). On the Prius, it doesn't get quite as hot. I've actually left it on and it turned itself off. The seat got cold and I was wondering what happened. A minute later, it cycled on again. This is probably the first time I've had the heated seats long enough to have it cycle. I'm guessing it's more aggressive in the Prius to save energy because I've never had a seat gone cold and had the wires heat up again.
Thanks! Did you have the Eco button on? I wonder if it gives off less heat than without. Hasn't gotten cold enough here to try it.
I tested mine out pretty early on as they are one reason I waited for a Gen 3. I thought they got nice and toasty before they decided my buns were 'done' and turned off. I must say that I prefered my old Saab's seat heater better - it had a thermostat - I could cange the temp - and it did not turn off...jus' kept on cookin' But, I think these will be fine.
I wouldn't say it is as effective. It certainly got warm fairly quick and is just as hot. I would say it turns off a lot faster than the other two which would have no problem continuing to toast your bun. I did have ECO mode on. Hmm... good question. I shall try it in normal mode and see if that makes a difference.
I know that I'm re-hashing an old thread, but I notice the cycling of the heated seats as well. I am certain that I am in Normal Mode. This seems strange to me coming from a VW where the seats would melt you forever if you let them. Anyone have any thoughts on what conditions cause this? and is there a way to change it (even if it costs mpg's)? Is this a faulty switch or something? hmm... I have read on here a few people who can't get it to turn off. I wonder if there is a controller issue here. --MXFanatic
Correct me if I am wrong but my heated seats would cycle on and off like the first poster said he experienced but I was in ECO mode, when I was driving in "normal mode" I didn't have this and I had to turn off my heated seats manually before my buns get toasted. I will have to play with it again to re-confirm this.
I don't think Eco vs. Normal has any bearing on the heated seat performance. The only thing that I'm aware will cut power is the steering ECU when power demand is high for steering.
Yes mine cycle on and off also and if it's really cold you could just leave them on, I've forgotten them a time or two. I only use ECO so I don't know what they do in the other modes.
I don't mind the cycling. On our old Camry, I would have to manually turn it off since it gets quite hot. On the Prius, I can just leave it as I know it'll turn off by itself and come back on again.
