1. Offline

    Pugsy New Member

    Member Since:
    Aug 5, 2009
    Message Count:
    76
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    California
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Hi, I've taken to leaving my heated seat on for the cold months since it's a pain to bend down to turn it on and off. Does anyone know of any reason why I shouldn't be doing that?

    thanks
  2. Offline

    Bobsprius BobPrius

    Member Since:
    Jul 23, 2009
    Message Count:
    679
    Likes Received:
    79
    Location:
    Buffalo
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I would only think that it would result in additional battery drain which may cause the ICE to run more often. That would be a concern, and since your in CALIFORNIA, is it something you really think you would want on all the time in the "cooler" months?
  3. Offline

    Pugsy New Member

    Member Since:
    Aug 5, 2009
    Message Count:
    76
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    California
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Alright, so it isn't BUFFALO, but it does get below freezing around my neck of the woods. :)

    Thanks for the reply.
  4. Offline

    bob brown New Member

    Member Since:
    May 23, 2009
    Message Count:
    95
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    flushing, ny
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Too bad the seat heaters don't have timers and/or thermostats that would automatically turn them off when car interior reaches a certain tempurature, similar to the heated rear window.
  5. Offline
    • Moderator

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North

    Member Since:
    Oct 2, 2004
    Message Count:
    27,008
    Likes Received:
    1,175
    Location:
    Canada
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't see why not. It cycles so it's not like it's continuously on and it doesn't get so hot that you have to manually turn it on and off (like our '02 Camry).
  6. Offline

    MaggieMay New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Message Count:
    528
    Likes Received:
    67
    Location:
    Gloucester, MA
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Turned mine one about 3 weeks ago and proly won't turn them off until April 2010. Toasty buns are very important. ;)
  7. Offline

    Swanny New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 7, 2008
    Message Count:
    236
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Canada
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2008 Prius
    Heated seats in California. Now I've heard it all! LOL Whatever floats your boat. Up here it doesn't get *above* freezing for months and I don't have heated seats! My Jeep did but I got rid of that guzzler... heated seats are nice for *cold* weather...
  8. Offline

    Bobsprius BobPrius

    Member Since:
    Jul 23, 2009
    Message Count:
    679
    Likes Received:
    79
    Location:
    Buffalo
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Pugsy,

    Used to live in Long Beach (SCAL) for 11 years...I know once my blood thinned I was cold in 45 Degree weather! I hear ya. One thing about leaving them on all the time, I don't know how that would affect the "life" of something like the heaters, but I would think it would be small in the spectrum....but that would be my only thought..

    Wish I was in California now! :)
  9. Offline

    Salsawonder New Member

    Member Since:
    Nov 28, 2005
    Message Count:
    1,903
    Likes Received:
    47
    Location:
    La Mesa California
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Might toughen up that rump roast!!
    I used to live in Vermont, 48 below the year I left. My little Toyota was the only car that started for miles. It had a stick shift and manual choke, other vehicles were plugged in and still would not start. That car would do anything as long as the snow wasn't too deep!
  10. Offline

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Member Since:
    Jul 12, 2007
    Message Count:
    10,558
    Likes Received:
    430
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I wouldn't, it is over 100f outside right now though.
  11. Offline

    rachaelseven New Member

    Member Since:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Message Count:
    618
    Likes Received:
    205
    Location:
    Adams, MA
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Because your butt will catch on fire! And that will make your leg spasm and jam the accelerator to the floor. The massive acceleration will force you back into the seat, increasing the heating effect and beginning a reinforcing cycle of rump roast and runaway acceleration. Then we'll need a warning tag on the seat heater controls, so don't do it!

    [/snark]
  12. Offline

    TKY New Member

    Member Since:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Message Count:
    231
    Likes Received:
    24
    Location:
    Colorado
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Hi Pugsy, There used to be a theory that one should not leave a car A/C on all the time because of the added load on the cars electrical system and battery at start-up. I don't know how valid this concern was, or might still be, or if the same concerns might apply to leaving the seat heaters on when your starting the car.

    Anyone have any knowledge about this concern? --TK
  13. Offline
    • Moderator

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North

    Member Since:
    Oct 2, 2004
    Message Count:
    27,008
    Likes Received:
    1,175
    Location:
    Canada
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah if your car had a 1.0 litre engine and a 6 year old 12V battery
  14. Online

    HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator

    Member Since:
    Dec 8, 2003
    Message Count:
    4,975
    Likes Received:
    717
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    The car does have an ECU which ensures power steering will get enough juice - first to turn off are rear defroster and heated seats when this is the case. Not sure if this applies when "starting" the car as well.

    Keep in mind, starting the Prius is simply firing up a few ECU's which then energize a relay to the hybrid traction battery. Once that's on, the inverter's DC to DC converter takes over.

    In AZ, the coolness only lasts in the morning, so I don't leave mine on all the time just yet. Maybe in January...
  15. Offline

    Croft New Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 26, 2009
    Message Count:
    55
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Dorset, UK
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    For men prolonged use of heated seats may have an affect on fertility levels. More here, together with a rather more scientific view than you'd find in the newpapers.

    Fertility in the hot seat

Share This Page