Ventilated seats question
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
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From: N. Cal
'14 edition 507, '13 F150 Raptor '09 GL550, '08 M6, '06 Z06
Ventilated seats question
I have the vent seat option on my car but I can't really notice the cooling affect even on 3 bars. Should you feel your bottom get really cold? Does the leather just get cold or should you feel cool air coming out?
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Houston Area
09 GL 550, 08 BMW X5 4.8, 05 C55 AMG, 05 GSX-R1000 (sold), Denali XL (sold)
Hello ALS,
I have the same option on my new GL 550 (2 days old). Per the MB dealer, you have 11 small fans that pull cabin air thru the perforated leather. You will be able to hear them in a quiet closed car garage. The fans are hard to detect unless you move a bit to get the circulation moving, as opposed to dead-heading or chocking the fans.
I have the same option on my new GL 550 (2 days old). Per the MB dealer, you have 11 small fans that pull cabin air thru the perforated leather. You will be able to hear them in a quiet closed car garage. The fans are hard to detect unless you move a bit to get the circulation moving, as opposed to dead-heading or chocking the fans.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Little Rock, AR
2009 GL550
yeah - MB's website is not too clear when describing the ventilated seats..their description:
"but also keep you cool during warmer months by gently circulating cabin air through perforations in the seat and backrest."
I personally think it sucks air in the back and blows it out through the perforated holes, but agree it's not real noticeable unless wearing athlethic shorts or something else thin.
I dont think it's just the GL as there have been similar posts from other MB class drivers with the same observation.
"but also keep you cool during warmer months by gently circulating cabin air through perforations in the seat and backrest."
I personally think it sucks air in the back and blows it out through the perforated holes, but agree it's not real noticeable unless wearing athlethic shorts or something else thin.
I dont think it's just the GL as there have been similar posts from other MB class drivers with the same observation.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
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2007 E63 AMG
I just got my E63 and I can't feel anything on my seat. I might take it to the dealer. Even when I put my hand on the seat it is at best marginal.
I recently had a rental Buick where the cooling seats blew a lot of cool air.
I recently had a rental Buick where the cooling seats blew a lot of cool air.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
I've had ventilated seats in my SAAB which noticeably pulled air through the perforations. With that in mind my wife and I test drove a GL550 so we could decide whether to hold out for these in our GL, but they were so anemic we passed. In fact they were so weak we couldn't figure out if they suck or blow.
IMHO not worth the $2500 premium in a 350/450.
IMHO not worth the $2500 premium in a 350/450.
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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BMW
I was doing some research on ventilated seat, and found out that there is only one set of fan in the back seat area of GL model. There is absolutely no fan UNDER the seat, however, in E55 AMG, there is an additional set of blower underneath the seat. This probably explain why you may not feel anything under the seat for GL. Can anyone else confirm that?
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Joined: Sep 2007
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BMW
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Joined: Oct 2009
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gl450
This year in March I bought a 2010 ml550 and two months later I purchased a 2010 gl550. I can confirm that their is something wrong with the vented seats in both of these models. I completely understand the ventilated method used. I understand that it sucks through the perforations, I also understand that it has NO true cooling effect.
This being said....
I have only ONE time felt any air passing out or in in the GL. I have tried tissue paper to see if there may even be a tiny trace of movement. I have NEVER felt anything in the ML. I am pretty sure that for the money the special leather package required for the cooling system that it should actually work. I have been traveling for the last few months and I am ready to take a break from the daily grind.
I still have a 2007 GL450 P2 that I was going to sell. I am glad now that I didn't sell it right after I purchased the GL550. I am going to drive it for a while and will be leaving the ML550 with the dealer till it is actually working. I don't care what they have to order or change. I will let you know how this works out. Once they get the ML550 they can fix the GL550.
Truthfully I can say that I had the dealer transfer the ML from a dealer in Naples FL just because it was loaded with every option and I told him I really wanted the vented seats. The GL550 was a last minute purchase and it was loaded as well but it was for my wife. She doesn't care about the seats. BUT they should work....
This being said....
I have only ONE time felt any air passing out or in in the GL. I have tried tissue paper to see if there may even be a tiny trace of movement. I have NEVER felt anything in the ML. I am pretty sure that for the money the special leather package required for the cooling system that it should actually work. I have been traveling for the last few months and I am ready to take a break from the daily grind.
I still have a 2007 GL450 P2 that I was going to sell. I am glad now that I didn't sell it right after I purchased the GL550. I am going to drive it for a while and will be leaving the ML550 with the dealer till it is actually working. I don't care what they have to order or change. I will let you know how this works out. Once they get the ML550 they can fix the GL550.
Truthfully I can say that I had the dealer transfer the ML from a dealer in Naples FL just because it was loaded with every option and I told him I really wanted the vented seats. The GL550 was a last minute purchase and it was loaded as well but it was for my wife. She doesn't care about the seats. BUT they should work....
Last edited by rabtech; Aug 13, 2010 at 10:27 PM.
