cheerful

Got a few really cold days recently. What I've noticed is that the vent in the back seat is lagging behind the front seat ones. I'd say it takes 2 or more minutes before the warm air coming out, compared to from the front seat ones.

Is this normal?

Thanks

StanNH

Same on my car, and on many other cars I've owned.

ManiacGT

The air from the armrest is akin to a gnats fart so I've never noticed.

jolt8631

Must admit, I'd never noticed, but you are right - just tried mine and there is a perceptible difference, back to front.

Mind you, who cares, I always drive!

NYbenzzz

my old g35 was very similar, the rear vents were almost non-existent.

only compact sedan i've seen implementing a good rear ventilation system is Lexus IS. they even got vents coming from below the seats. but even for lexus the vents themselves throw very little air.

Mr. J

My F150 Lariat crew cab had pass through ventilation to the rear seat and it worked well. It still took a minute or two longer, relative to the front vents, before it would blow hot or cold. The hotter or colder the ambient temp the greater the lag time. You can't beat physics. The extra duct work will absorb heat when cold or transfer it when hot.

nvestr

Remember that air going to rear vents has further to travel from the heater coil, so it is exposed to atmospheric air and more cold piping before it gets out of rear vents. Naturally, it will take longer for the rear air tunnels to warm up...

Mikey53

Just as it takes longer to get hot water to a faucet further away from the water heater.

MASSC450

Is this really a problem?

Every car I've ever owned did this...the warm air to the back has to travel farther through cold duct work under/between the seats...so of course it takes a little bit longer. Be happy with only a 2 minute delay.

ManiacGT

There's no way it takes two minutes to move air two metres. It's likely the auto setup is simply concentrating on the front first.

MASSC450

Even so, I doubt anyone will be experiencing frostbite in 2 minutes...

LateC300

2 minutes could be a matter of life and death. how dare you imply otherwise.