When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
New '25 GLS63 owner from G63, ventilated seats are garbage?
After 3 consecutive G63s, decided to go for the GLS version and so far very happy with my decision.. picked up this brand new 2025 GLS63 last month
Wanted to ask the GLS crew if your ventilated seats work? I've taken my car in twice to the dealer because I don't feel anything when I try to cool the seats, even though I audibly hear the seat fan turn on.. very strange.. First time ever with any ventilated seat that I literally feel nothing and no difference between when the seat is set to cool and when it isn't!
After 3 consecutive G63s, decided to go for the GLS version and so far very happy with my decision.. picked up this brand new 2025 GLS63 last month
Wanted to ask the GLS crew if your ventilated seats work? I've taken my car in twice to the dealer because I don't feel anything when I try to cool the seats, even though I audibly hear the seat fan turn on.. very strange.. First time ever with any ventilated seat that I literally feel nothing and no difference between when the seat is set to cool and when it isn't!
Other than this issue, been loving the new rig
Are those OEM rims? They kind of look like the 23" monoblocks from the GLS 600.
Honestly, the Germans don't have seat ventilation down right. My 5 series ventilated seats were pretty weak and the ones in my wife's GLS are only marginally better. It's essentially enough to keep you from sweating through your shirt on the hottest day.
Honestly, the Germans don't have seat ventilation down right. My 5 series ventilated seats were pretty weak and the ones in my wife's GLS are only marginally better. It's essentially enough to keep you from sweating through your shirt on the hottest day.
FWIW, the seats are just that, ventilated, not 'cooled'. They use air from the cabin so whatever the temp in the cabin is, is what the seats circulate. I agree with your sentiment that they are quite useless. I have them in my car too and IMO the air has to have been running for a while to be able to feel the ventilation. BTW, those wheels are gad damn gorgeous!
2019 s-class coupe 2025 GLS 580 SUV2017 S-class cabriolet
I have a 2025, GLS 580 and I must concur that the front ventilated seats provide only marginal cooling. However, as previously stated on longer drives the cooling does improve slightly.
You may be starting the ventilation too early. Wait until the car A/C is coming out cold before initiating seat ventilation as it uses the same system! This is going to be true of any other make!
Better yet, enable remote start so that the car is already cool when you approach and open the door (not in an enclosed space of course!).
For both LA and Vegas summer heat (temps between 90-110+) I have not felt a single cooling thing from these seats at all, even with the seat fans audibly on and cabin temp on AC full blast, for both driver and passenger which is disappointing - they are useless and basically non functioning!
and re the wheels, yep these are the OEM but rarely seen 23" polished monoblocks option which really make the GLS63 for me personally
It seems to depend on the seats as well. I have the AMG Performance Seats and they have additional perforation in the side bolsters, so the air doesn't just come from the seat cushion and back, but also from the side. One of the issues with perforated seats for ventilation is that depending on your body volume, your clothing may seal most of the perforation, so the air doesn't have anywhere to go. For example when I inflate my side bolsters in order to have maximum lateral support, the ventilation doesn't work so well as it is a tight fit then. I just went on a canyon run the other weekend in 100+ degree weather. Had to lower the AC to stay cool with the seat ventilation on. At the end I deflated the side bolsters and the ventilation instantly cooled me down, because the air could actually flow around me again. It definitely works under the right circumstances. If I get in the car after it sat in the sun, the seat ventilation also takes the boiling hot leather down to cabin temperature. As said it's not active seat cooling. It's just blowing the cabin air through the seats, and the cooler the cabin air the cooler the seats get, but that's assuming the air can actually circulate through the perforation in the leather.
Last edited by superswiss; Jul 15, 2025 at 09:05 PM.
You could also enable the "hot countries" setting via software programming. If I remember correctly, it is disabled for the US. That might help.
When activated, this setting tells the engine cooling fan and A/C compressor to work harder and earlier, making the cabin reach lower temperatures more quickly. Internally, it's known as the "AC 913 – preinstallation for hot countries".
You could also enable the "hot countries" setting via software programming. If I remember correctly, it is disabled for the US. That might help.
When activated, this setting tells the engine cooling fan and A/C compressor to work harder and earlier, making the cabin reach lower temperatures more quickly. Internally, it's known as the "AC 913 – preinstallation for hot countries".
Agreed, the ventilated seats aren't super powerful. They are also impeded by the massage mechanics (if you have it). For us, the massage and heat are more important than the ventilation..... so less of an issue, but it sure would be nice for them to figure out how to improve it.
You could also enable the "hot countries" setting via software programming. If I remember correctly, it is disabled for the US. That might help.
When activated, this setting tells the engine cooling fan and A/C compressor to work harder and earlier, making the cabin reach lower temperatures more quickly. Internally, it's known as the "AC 913 – preinstallation for hot countries".
I had 913 already on my build sheet for my MY23 GLS450.
Yeah, I was pretty sure the US is categorized as a hot country, Death Valley and all. They all do their hot weather testing in the Death Valley after all. Back when lastvin etc. still worked and was able to decode my VIN, I remember seeing hot weather options in the list of options for my car.
The actual power of the ventilation is questionable. I'm not even sure if it sucks or blows!
I held a sheet of paper in front of the seatback to see any visible evidence, but there really wasn't any.
On the other hand, I do feel a cooling effect, such as when I'm sweaty - it fairly rapidly relieves the stickiness. So I use it from time to time, and I'm glad I have it.
The actual power of the ventilation is questionable. I'm not even sure if it sucks or blows!
I held a sheet of paper in front of the seatback to see any visible evidence, but there really wasn't any.
On the other hand, I do feel a cooling effect, such as when I'm sweaty - it fairly rapidly relieves the stickiness. So I use it from time to time, and I'm glad I have it.
I don't think the air is actively blown or sucked through the perforation, but rather the seat acts as a heatsink for your body and then the heat is transferred out of the seat using the ventilation. Same here, I don't specifically feel air move around me, but I feel the cooling effect. Best evidence that it works is that I don't get a sweaty back anymore as do with non-ventilated leather seats.
2025 GLS 450 here with MBtex (not multicontour leather) and they work OK. You can feel them a little when in high setting 3 but almost nothing in 1 or 2.
I had 913 already on my build sheet for my MY23 GLS450.
I just remembered that in addition to enabling hot country, you could also get your coder to keep the ventilation fan on high while it's on. The fan does seem to adjust up and down, similar to the seat heater, so coding the fan to stay on its highest level might help.
We can code "hot countries" AC mode (same like Middle East, or Singapore mode) or code the seat ventilation fan to stay on high for any longer timing. Default is like 7-8 min: we can code it to 240 min. Usually enough for a non taxi cars.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
