1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

How hot are the heated seats?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by SuperGLS, Aug 18, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    200
    52
    2
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I ran a search, but I don't see any relevant threads. I'm wondering how hot the heated seats get in Prius Four?

    I've been in some cars where I could barely tell the heated seats were on. In my current car, a 2002 Elantra that I installed factory Korean heated seats, they get very warm. Almost to the point that they are too hot. And I think it's perfect that way.

    It's about time to replace that Elantra and I've only been impressed with the Prius Two we bought last year, but I really like heated seats so I'm considering getting a Four for myself. I'll probably go into a dealer today to check out the Four, but, being 70 degrees doesn't allow for the greatest testing of heated seats.

    Thoughts?
     
    #1 SuperGLS, Aug 18, 2013
  2. cary1952

    cary1952 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2006
    403
    84
    0
    Location:
    Spearfish, SD
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I just bought my prius 3 weeks ago and tried the heated seats one morning. (It was the low 60's). There is only one temperature on the seats but it appears sufficiently warm.
     
    #2 cary1952, Aug 18, 2013
  3. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,518
    1,790
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    The bun warmers are not adjustable (thermostat-controlled), but they do the job just fine...
     
    #3 RRxing, Aug 18, 2013
  4. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Prius is just on and off. It works for me in the winter. However Southern California winters are mild rarely below freezing. In many cases I can use the heated seats and leave the heat off.

    My Acura has low high switch for heated seats
     
    #4 JMD, Aug 18, 2013
  5. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    200
    52
    2
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    My set up now is just on and off and that's fine, as long as it's hot. I'd love to hear some thoughts from more northerners. I like to leave the heat off too and just use the seat heaters. We have a lot of 30 degree mornings during the winter.
     
    #5 SuperGLS, Aug 18, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  6. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2012
    153
    40
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I am sure my care has a toggle up for high down for low and middle for off, I will look. the wifes car has just off and on, I know that for sure
     
    #6 attyjeff, Aug 18, 2013
  7. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2009
    1,181
    420
    0
    Location:
    Whereabouts Unknown
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    ----USA----
    The heated seats are plenty warm and too hot to think about on a Summer day in So. California.
     
    #7 mad-dog-one, Aug 18, 2013
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the pip has high and low. low is perfect on the coldest days, high is too hot for my buns!:p
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 18, 2013
  9. jnet

    jnet Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    196
    32
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'd rather not use heated seats. A cold seat forces my body to burn off some of the calories that I don't need.
     
    #9 jnet, Aug 18, 2013
  10. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I think the OP will be OK. I never read that heat in the cabin is an issue or heated seats being inadequate. We have frequent posters from cold climates in Michigan, Il and the Dakotas

    Driving in snow now that is a discussion
     
    #10 JMD, Aug 18, 2013
  11. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    200
    52
    2
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thanks all.

    So does the regular 2013 Prius have low and high like the PIP? Or just on/off? I didn't get to the dealer as planned today.
     
    #11 SuperGLS, Aug 18, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  12. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    At least in 2012, only the PiP had high/low, I don't think they changed that for 2013.

    2010/11 (before the PiP came out) also had no low/ it was either on/off.
     
    #12 Paradox, Aug 18, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  13. drysider

    drysider Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    823
    332
    1
    Location:
    Liberty Lake WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    There is a thermostat in the circuit (not user adjustable), but I find them to be too warm after a few minutes and have to cycle them manually off and on. There have been some posts about modding the circuit...
     
    #13 drysider, Aug 18, 2013
  14. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    200
    52
    2
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Good, sounds like I don't have to worry about them not being hot enough.
     
    #14 SuperGLS, Aug 19, 2013
  15. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    200
    52
    2
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Ok, so definitely just on and off on the regular Prius. It was 80 degrees outside so no test on the heat but I believe the posts here so in not too concerned.

    Lumbar support also good. Now just when and where to buy the car...
     
    #15 SuperGLS, Aug 20, 2013
  16. Wayward

    Wayward Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2012
    145
    26
    0
    Location:
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I got the four mostly for the upgraded seats.
    I planned on keeping this car for quite a long time and I wanted the more comfortable seat.
    The heated seats work really well, I am not an avid user but my wife is.
    On and off only on the 2012 Prius 4, my wife's Venza has adjustable but she usually just leaves it on high anyways lol.
     
    #16 Wayward, Aug 20, 2013
  17. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2013
    579
    114
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    On my 2010 Rav they are 1 setting they do glow and get really hot then go to warm. My prius is to new to use them yet! Not sure why Toyota put a high/low in.......... my Mazda CX5 has 3 settings
     
    #17 MPGnutcase, Aug 20, 2013
  18. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    200
    52
    2
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    While at yet another dealer this morning I was able to test the seats as I sat in the car with the AC blowing. They are definitely hot enough.

    And they get to hot in about 10 seconds which is pretty impressive.
     
    #18 SuperGLS, Aug 23, 2013
  19. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
    444
    4
    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    I flipped mine on the other say and had to turn it off again after about 30 sec, it was burning my buns. I'm sure it would take a bit longer if the seat was frozen.
     
    #19 rdgrimes, Aug 23, 2013
  20. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    581
    104
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    They kick butt, they get hot very fast. My Ford has heated seats and they take forever to warm up.
     
    #20 13Plug, Aug 23, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2