low/no pressure from vented seats
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2011 E550 4Matic
low/no pressure from vented seats
So the past week or so ive noticed that when i turn on the seat vents i can hardly feel it anymore, where as whoever is in my passenger seat marvels at it. I turned them on side by side last night and putting a hand over both, it feels like theres almost no air coming out of the driver side. Is there an easy fix or way to check if everything connected that anyone knows of? I can hear the fans going when i turn it on so im wondering if something just came loose?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
I don't know how to test it, but mine has been practically useless since I got the car. Pictures I've seen look like they use common commercial muffin fans, ala computers. ????
That said, my 2005 Toyota Avalon had wonderful seat ventilation --- although otherwise it was a disaster of a car --- two blown engines, slippy transmission, wouldn't hold alignment, burned out door locks, etc., etc. . . .
That said, my 2005 Toyota Avalon had wonderful seat ventilation --- although otherwise it was a disaster of a car --- two blown engines, slippy transmission, wouldn't hold alignment, burned out door locks, etc., etc. . . .
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2011 E550 4Matic
Hmm. Yea i used to feel it quite strong, noticeably cooler back. Now nothing. If they use standard 80/90/120 mm fans liek in computers....i wonder if its possible to open it up, and replace it with a better brands fan. I build all my own computers so have a nice stack of super high cfm fans with very low noise....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
So the past week or so ive noticed that when i turn on the seat vents i can hardly feel it anymore, where as whoever is in my passenger seat marvels at it. I turned them on side by side last night and putting a hand over both, it feels like theres almost no air coming out of the driver side. Is there an easy fix or way to check if everything connected that anyone knows of? I can hear the fans going when i turn it on so im wondering if something just came loose?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2011 E550 4Matic
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I recall someone saying it kind of made they're back side feel wet.....I don't really get that feeling.....but I CAN feel a cooling sensation after about 5 minutes maybe...
there's something happening down there lol
there's something happening down there lol
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
Hi,
berti 00 did a thread in the AMG W211 section (May 2012??) with DIY and pics of replacing seat fans. Had pics of each step and wiring etc.
He had "fans on steroids" and had to trim them down with Dremel to fit
but said the stockers are really whimpy.
When ordering my 2013 E, I asked about getting this option and my sales assoc said it is not worth it as it barely moves any air and is a big complaint from owners who have it.
Hope this helps you.
berti 00 did a thread in the AMG W211 section (May 2012??) with DIY and pics of replacing seat fans. Had pics of each step and wiring etc.
He had "fans on steroids" and had to trim them down with Dremel to fit
but said the stockers are really whimpy.
When ordering my 2013 E, I asked about getting this option and my sales assoc said it is not worth it as it barely moves any air and is a big complaint from owners who have it.
Hope this helps you.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2011 E550 4Matic
Lol 
Im trying to avoid taking it in for a while because my dealer has a '10 E63 on the floor thats at a good price and id be very tempted to trade my 550 back for it :P
Im trying to avoid taking it in for a while because my dealer has a '10 E63 on the floor thats at a good price and id be very tempted to trade my 550 back for it :P
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
2011 E350 Bluetec
I have been disappointed with my vented seats from day one. I use them almost every time I get in the car, but I usually only notice a difference on long trips or if I am wearing a very light weight shirt.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
I believe that the fans help minimize perspiration on hour or longer trips.
For short, local trips, I believe the fans are a waste. I would not order them again.
My biggest complaint is that it seems that the seat cushions are harder due to the fans replacing padding.
For short, local trips, I believe the fans are a waste. I would not order them again.
My biggest complaint is that it seems that the seat cushions are harder due to the fans replacing padding.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2011 E550 4Matic
hmm, to me they felt much stronger a few weeks back, could actually notice my back being cooled. Now even when i leave the gym and so my backs wet...i cant feel it.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
2011 E350 Bluetec
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
So, let's think about this a little bit.
A ventilated seat is exactly that, a ventilated seat. It is NOT air conditioned seat.
The air used for the ventilation is the car cabin air. If you get in your car when it has been sitting in the sun in a summer day the air inside the car is hot at something like 150 - 200 degrees. Guess what it feels when you sit on the seat and the ventilation fan starts blowing that hot air in your a**.
Ventilated seat functions only when your car cabin temperature is low enough for the fan to blow cool air in your seat sitting surfaces.
Don't know why MB engineers thought it is a good idea to turn the seat fans ON if you use the remote function to open all windown when getting to the car. Car would be hot and seat ventilation could make it worse for the driver...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,279
Likes: 58
From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
are the three light levels for intensity of the fan or the duration it stays on??
i placed a tissue on the passenger seat the other day and turned it on, and it didnt even flinch, couildnt feeel anything
i placed a tissue on the passenger seat the other day and turned it on, and it didnt even flinch, couildnt feeel anything
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
Having used ventilated seats is other makes of cars, BMW, Toyota, I can tell you that 2011 E Class ventilation is worthless. It borders on fraud as advertised . . . simply does not deliver. You can hear the fans running (regardless of cabin temperature) but that's the only effect --- noise!
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
, or maybe some dust
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
2015 S 63 AMG 4Matic
I agree that the ventilated seat option is a complete waste. I have a 2012 ml63 and I don't feel anything when I turn it on. I even took it to the dealer and they checked it out and stated its working fine.
Arrie had a good point. Because the fans in the seats only circulate the cabin air (and more specifically the air right at the back of the seats) it might be a good idea to turn on the rear A/C so it can bring the air temp down while using this feature.
Arrie had a good point. Because the fans in the seats only circulate the cabin air (and more specifically the air right at the back of the seats) it might be a good idea to turn on the rear A/C so it can bring the air temp down while using this feature.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
w212 E550
.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Why do I think you don't have ventilated seats? That is just not true.
Having used ventilated seats is other makes of cars, BMW, Toyota, I can tell you that 2011 E Class ventilation is worthless. It borders on fraud as advertised . . . simply does not deliver. You can hear the fans running (regardless of cabin temperature) but that's the only effect --- noise!
Having used ventilated seats is other makes of cars, BMW, Toyota, I can tell you that 2011 E Class ventilation is worthless. It borders on fraud as advertised . . . simply does not deliver. You can hear the fans running (regardless of cabin temperature) but that's the only effect --- noise!
Mine works but only after car is cool inside. Now, i'm not saying BMW or someone elde makes a better ventilated seal but I can tell I don't sweat in my seat any more during hours long drives regardless how hot day it is.
