Ventilated seats

[Lviv777]

Obviously ventilated seats aren't cooled seats, but I can't seem to feel anything coming out of them. The fans in the seats are loud but it seems like they are blowing nothing even when the a/c is on Max. Is this pretty common?

[pdX5M]

One thing that comes to mind is that someone may have used a leather cleaner/conditioner at some point and clogged up some of the perforations. Aside from that I'm not really sure.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Lviv777

Obviously ventilated seats aren't cooled seats, but I can't seem to feel anything coming out of them. The fans in the seats are loud but it seems like they are blowing nothing even when the a/c is on Max. Is this pretty common?

The first 6 words of your post actually contains the answer to your slight confusion. And this is an oft discussed topic as well as misunderstood or misconceived option.

The wording in the BMW TIS says:

"The active seat ventilation enables individual cooling of the seat cushions and backrests. "

My interpretation is...the fans are intended to affect the temperature of the seat cushions...not to blow air on the passenger or "directly" cool the passenger...it is designed to affect the temp/comfort of the seat by blowing air onto the rear and underside of the seat.

Here's a direct link to seat ventilation on the TIS website:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...s-side/XmvnxUe

[9vapors]

I used it last year in the summer. It seemed to only work with my AC cranked, but the seat did get cool. I like to drive with my windows down a bit so I like having this feature.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by pdX5M

One thing that comes to mind is that someone may have used a leather cleaner/conditioner at some point and clogged up some of the perforations. Aside from that I'm not really sure.

Im not the first owner, so its possible, might have to look at ways to clean them out at a deep level, as on the surface they seem pretty clean.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

The first 6 words of your post actually contains the answer to your slight confusion. And this is an oft discussed topic as well as misunderstood or misconceived option.

The wording in the BMW TIS says:

"The active seat ventilation enables individual cooling of the seat cushions and backrests. "

My interpretation is...the fans are intended to affect the temperature of the seat cushions...not to blow air on the passenger or "directly" cool the passenger...it is designed to affect the temp/comfort of the seat by blowing air onto the rear and underside of the seat.

Here's a direct link to seat ventilation on the TIS website:center]https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...s-side/XmvnxUe

[/center]

That is a good explanation, bit disappointed with them, but then again it is the early years of cooled seats

[pdX5M]

Originally Posted by Lviv777

Im not the first owner, so its possible, might have to look at ways to clean them out at a deep level, as on the surface they seem pretty clean.

As said above air shouldn't necessarily be flowing a lot out of the seat but on mine I can definitely feel it moving air.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

I used it last year in the summer. It seemed to only work with my AC cranked, but the seat did get cool. I like to drive with my windows down a bit so I like having this feature.

Going to see if anything changes with an A/C recharge and new cabin air filters.

[thehungrymonkey]

i can actually hear the car airflow change with the cooling on seats activated.

[smass]

The BMW seats don't blow as hard as you would expect. Especially when compared to american rental cars I have driven.

[Qsilver7]

Has anyone actually seen the fans operating to know which direction the air flow is? Do the fans blow the cabin's ambient temp air onto the seat bottom/seat back...or does it draw air away from them? If the latter...perhaps thats what the holes in the leather is for...to allow air to be drawn through the seats...similar to how some vented rooms/buildings have fans that are sucking the air out of it to the exterior...instead of blowing air into the room from outside.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Has anyone actually seen the fans operating to know which direction the air flow is? Do they fans blow the cabin's ambient temp air onto the seat bottom/seat back...or does it draw air away from them? If the latter...perhaps thats what the holes in the leather is for...to allow air to be drawn through the seats...similar to how some vented rooms/buildings have fans that are sucking the air out of it to the exterior...instead of blowing air into the room from outside.

Sounds possible to me, that they take air out instead of blowing it in. Would be interesting if anyone has taken the seats apart and tested it.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by smassey321

The BMW seats don't blow as hard as you would expect. Especially when compared to american rental cars I have driven.

Absolutely true, BMW needs to step their game up in that department.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by thehungrymonkey

i can actually hear the car airflow change with the cooling on seats activated.

Whats your usual setting? I have tried to notice a change but can't.

[thehungrymonkey]

I usually just have my system on 69 degrees and auto (medium fan). When I hit cooling on the seats, I hear the airflow behind me immediately. If I turn it off I hear it stop. I can feel a modest flow from the perforations of seat.

I feel this now post-nbtEVO install and also pre.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by thehungrymonkey

I usually just have my system on 69 degrees and auto (medium fan). When I hit cooling on the seats, I hear the airflow behind me immediately. If I turn it off I hear it stop. I can feel a modest flow from the perforations of seat.

I feel this now post-nbtEVO install and also pre.

Going to try that out to see if it makes a difference, Usually when i use the seats the A/C is on Max

[mirob]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

The first 6 words of your post actually contains the answer to your slight confusion. And this is an oft discussed topic as well as misunderstood or misconceived option.

My interpretation is...the fans are intended to affect the temperature of the seat cushions...not to blow air on the passenger or "directly" cool the passenger...it is designed to affect the temp/comfort of the seat by blowing air onto the rear and underside of the seat.

Then why perforated leather?

[thehungrymonkey]

no actual air passes thru. the seats aren't as padded unfortunately as the not perforated because i think too much cushioning would block airflow.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by mirob

Then why perforated leather?

As asked above in one of my posts...do we know which direction the air flow is for the fans in the seat? If the fans are "drawing' air through the seats...they would still need to be perforated.

And the question as to the direction of airflow would be interesting to know because when this topic is discussed on other BMW forums...a large percentage of owners state that they don't feel air blowing "from" the seats.

So if the fans are designed to "vent" (since the option is called ventilated seats)...their design may be to diminish back and butt sweat on hot days by pulling air through the seats...and not designed to blow air onto the back and butt of the passenger.

Think about the sun roof...when it is in the "vented" position...it is designed for air to flow out of the cabin...not into it.

Here's more images from the TIS in regards to the ventilated seat fans. There are 5 in the seat bottom (M159 - M163)...and 4 in the seat back (M164a-M167a)...and I'm still inclined to think that they may be drawing air through the seat versus blowing air onto the seats:

[mirob]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

As asked above in one of my posts...do we know which direction the air flow is for the fans in the seat? If the fans are "drawing' air through the seats...they would still need to be perforated.

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Has anyone actually seen the fans operating to know which direction the air flow is? Do they fans blow the cabin's ambient temp air onto the seat bottom/seat back...or does it draw air away from them? If the latter...perhaps thats what the holes in the leather is for...to allow air to be drawn through the seats...similar to how some vented rooms/buildings have fans that are sucking the air out of it to the exterior...instead of blowing air into the room from outside.

My bad, I didn't even see this...

May turn them on later to see if I can tell if there is any air flow (going in or coming out) through the holes.

[thehungrymonkey]

next time im in the car I'll check and report back

[Qsilver7]

Just thought of something...if someone had something like a smoke machine...that might reveal if the fans suck air into or blow air out from the seats.