Prius Heated Seats

[barrycoll]

with proper winter just around the corner, I am wondering if anybody has fitted after market heated seats to a Prius (or anything really)??

all my previous Golfs had heated leather, and were a real treat on a cold morning/evening, and are much missed...nothing like a heated bum and lower back, and cool air on the face

would the aftermarket electrics be a problem for the HV Battery?

[Devon Aygo]

Why not try the official kit? http://www.toyota-tech.eu/aimuploads/%7B88796257-F4D9-8BDA-F069-66A3CBE8F4D9%7D/Prius_RHD_Seat_Heaters_PZ457_G0310_00_AIM_001_766_1.pdf then there could be no issues with any incompatibilities.

[barrycoll]

thanks for that Lee....

there is no mention of an official kit when buying the car, and when asking for this option

this does not look like a DIY job by a long shot, and I am wondering what the bottom line from a Toy dealer might be......if they supply them they must have a menu fitment time and cost.....

has anybody had any experience of this???

[Sagitar]

I have had several cars with heated seats, including the current PiP but have never really found a need for them in the south of England. Now, for a winter in Alberta, they were pretty much essential . . .

[barrycoll]

be it Alberta or Muswell Hill N10, Chris, when climbing into a cold car, there is nothing like a warm bum, and back, within 15 secs

when driving long distances, having the seat on 'low' and the air face temp on cool/cold, it is refreshing rather than soporific

once upon a time, cars had the option of warm feet and cool face, but not anymore

[PeteB]

As someone who keeps a/c on throughout winter and Climate Control set to 18C when I'm alone, heated seats are about the last thing on my list of desires, BUT by 96 year old Mum (who's my main passenger these days) has the central heating at home set to 30C if she gets anywhere near the thermostat!

So I ask my dealer how much the update was - answer around £730!

I asked my mother if she'd like them fitted (without telling her the cost) and to my surprise she didn't think it worth the effort.

When I was lent a Plug-in Prius for a day recently when my T3 had its 20k service, I quickly noticed someone had left the drivers seat heat on the high setting, and promptly switched it off.

I drove the car home and took my mother to lunch in it. It was quite a chilly mid November day and as usual she dressed like an Eskimo (I'm still in open sandals and short sleeved shirts!), but felt the benefit of the heated seat, asking for the lower setting after 10 minutes or so.

To my amazement, she still didn't think it worth the trouble of having them fitted!

[barrycoll]

OK, OK, I give in..........I am in a minority of one, by the consensus of replies...

but to plead my case, I grew up in Sydney, and as school summer there started about Now, my days were spent on Bondi beach, warming my bum after too long in the cold surf, and not going home till the sum went down......................

[IanIanIanIan]

Amazon have some heated seat covers for £9.99 and I recall Aldi had some for £20 or so.

[Aceshigh84]

I love my heated seats, I occasionally suffer from a sore lower back due to me not sitting properly in work, and they are a joy to have to soothe the back.

And yes, when it's cold out, and you're trying to eek out as much Battery as possible and the fact that the car (mines an Auris) takes so long to throw heat out the vents, on days like that they are the best invention since sliced bread!

[Sagitar]

OK, OK, I give in..........I am in a minority of one, by the consensus of replies...

but to plead my case, I grew up in Sydney, and as school summer there started about Now, my days were spent on Bondi beach, warming my bum after too long in the cold surf, and not going home till the sum went down......................

I am sure there must be others who appreciate them. Perhaps I am just better insulated in the nether regions than you are . . . . . . :)

My last car before the PiP to have heated seats was a Lexus IS250 and they came as standard. They were very posh ones with graduated rotary controls, but apart from the obligatory switch-on for test purposes when the vehicle was handed over at the dealers, they were never once used in all the four year that I had the car.

[PeteB]

OK, OK, I give in..........I am in a minority of one, by the consensus of replies...

but to plead my case, I grew up in Sydney, and as school summer there started about Now, my days were spent on Bondi beach, warming my bum after too long in the cold surf, and not going home till the sum went down......................

I am sure there must be others who appreciate them. Perhaps I am just better insulated in the nether regions than you are . . . . . . :)

OK, OK, I give in..........I am in a minority of one, by the consensus of replies...

but to plead my case, I grew up in Sydney, and as school summer there started about Now, my days were spent on Bondi beach, warming my bum after too long in the cold surf, and not going home till the sum went down......................

I am sure there must be others who appreciate them. Perhaps I am just better insulated in the nether regions than you are . . . . . . :)

...

Me too - sorry if I appeared to be criticising in any way, just sharing experience (but you don't get a tone of voice in a text message!

I once had a Volvo with heated seats, and my ex-partner kept her side on almost all the time throughout the year!

In may case, I'd love the choice of the seats fitted to some Lexus Hybrids I've been lent, which blow air heated or chilled to a set temperature through in inside of the leather seats - i'd have mine on chill while others could have all they heat they wanted!

[Raistlin]

Play nicely boys... :)

[barrycoll]

the forum seems to be divided around bum size, or maybe Marks & Spencer , versus Gap

I can't believe that the Amazon or Aldi jobs are worth the effort....

this was the reply I received from a company that does a retrofit............a bit less than PeteB's nearly £800!

Thank

you for your email enquiry.

We can supply and fit front heated seats to your vehicle for £400+VAT. The heating

elements will be placed in the base of the seats along with the lower back, and

will feature two heat settings for your comfort. The button for these will be

installed at the side of the seat, where it is easily accessible.

Wewould need the vehicle for one day to complete the installation. We do have a

courtesy car available if it is not convenient for you to be without a car for

the day (please note that this vehicle has to be covered under your insurance).

Ifyou would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

sales@motormods.co.uk

0800 026

8222

[delboy88]

I'm sure I've received a leaflet from Toyota UK in the last 3-4 weeks offering aftermarket heated front seats for the Prius. Unfotunately, I've binned the leaflet. I think it was in or around the £600 pound mark. Worth giving Toyota a call?

[barrycoll]

thanks for that Derek...will try them after Xmas is out done and dusted

[don21]

Seems to be very much a personal preference thing. In cars I have got into where the customer has left them on I found them most annoying and uncomfortable but my boss just loves getting into his XF Jag and feeling that warmth course through him on those cold winter mornings.

[delboy88]

barrycoll

Posted Yesterday, 05:33 PM

Thanks for that Derek...will try them after Xmas is out done and dusted

Found the letter. Offered by Vantage Toyota group dealers.

Limited offer Normally £671.31 now £595.

Have attached the pdf.

Vantage Toyota offer.pdf

[Heidfirst]

Imo & at least for the UK heated seats are really only useful if you have leather seats as these get cold. Cloth seats warm up quicker from bodyheat.

[barrycoll]

thanks for that Derek.....looks like it is not a London dealer offering, but will see what my local chap says

.....and yes, Scott, fabric seats are warmer than leather, but the 2013 now has leather (maybe??) bolsters...

my thoughts are now turning to sheepskin seat covers, which are good in the heat as well, plus another 595 reason why not seat heaters...