SL/R231: Seat ventilation fan stops blowing when car stops
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 17
2013 SL550
Seat ventilation fan stops blowing when car stops
My car is a 2013 R231 with the Premium I and Sports Package...now with 16,000 miles. When I come to a stoplight or the car otherwise becomes stationary (engine running), the driver's side seat ventilation fan stops blowing, starting up again when the car begins to move. This is true with the ECO start-stop enabled and disabled. The passenger's side doesn't behave the same and blows continually.
Also, is it normal behavior for the main HVAC system fan to run more slowly with the top down, even set at max? I notice that as the top is almost closed and the latches click, the HVAC motor will run up to a higher RPM. Sometimes, I like to ride with the top down in extremely hot weather and/or chilly weather and it is nice to run the heat full blast or AC full blast when doing so. Conspicuously consumptive I know, but I enjoy it.
Thoughts?
Also, is it normal behavior for the main HVAC system fan to run more slowly with the top down, even set at max? I notice that as the top is almost closed and the latches click, the HVAC motor will run up to a higher RPM. Sometimes, I like to ride with the top down in extremely hot weather and/or chilly weather and it is nice to run the heat full blast or AC full blast when doing so. Conspicuously consumptive I know, but I enjoy it.
Thoughts?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Roseville, MN
2017 AMG S63 Cabrio
i have noticed also fan speed slower with top down-have you adjusted the fan speed settings:
Focused (high blower setting)
Medium (standard setting)
Diffuse (low blower setting)
on the seat ventilation-maybe covered on warranty
Focused (high blower setting)
Medium (standard setting)
Diffuse (low blower setting)
on the seat ventilation-maybe covered on warranty
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 24
From: Connecticut, USA
2017 SL450
I believe it's just ambient air, the air that's hanging out below the bottom of the seats, that's blown up into and through the seat bottoms. It's not cooled in any mechanical manner.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, FL
I figured! I can't remember which car maker it is but someone actually runs cold air via the A/C to the seats. So it actually blows cold air, which makes a lot more sense than blowing warm air like a fan does.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
I have a good friend with a 2012 M37, and it blows cold a/c up through the seat right when you turn it on, it's amazing on hot summer days here in south FL.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, FL
That's pretty disappointing, I was totally looking forward to cold air coming up into my back and *** on a hot day with the top down. A fan won't do much if anything at all to actually cool you down.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Yeah I don't understand why it's just "ventilated" seats. The fans do almost nothing unless you have the a/c on max and the interior is already cooled down, then it's just moving the cool air to your back/butt. By that point you should already be feeling plenty of cool air around you and it's almost not needed.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 24
From: Connecticut, USA
2017 SL450
Just kidding.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Well, I could buy 3 fully loaded F150's for what I paid for my SL. Problem is the truck is for other uses and isn't a convertable!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 3
From: Central Florida
Genesis GV60 Performance
But please note this is not actually A/C in the normal sense. A device known as a peltier junction produces a hot side and a cold side. Most actually-cooled seats use these, with fans pushing the cold air into the seat and the hot air into the car.
On a hot day, our Ford Edge's seats are true luxury.
