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How effective are the heated seats? The heated steering wheel?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Husker4theSpurs, Aug 30, 2017.

  1. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    Hey guys,

    Was wondering how warm the heated seats get in comparison with some other cars you've owned? Same question for the heated steering wheel on the Advanced?

    We have an Acura MDX currently and the heated steering wheel is TERRIFIC, but our BMW heated steering wheel is just OK. The heated seats on both are solid.

    My old 2010 Prius's heated seats were just OK from what I recall. They were warm but not super warm.
     
  2. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    Haven't had mine over winter yet. But should be able to report back in about, uh, 2 weeks.
     
  3. Ookies

    Ookies Junior Member

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    Works very well... but not the entire steering wheel is heated..,had mine since January in chicago


    iPhone ?
     
    ruby likes this.
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    The heated steering-wheel gets warm surprisingly fast... by the time I got to the end of the block.
     
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  5. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    On mine the wheel heater is a bit too much, I have to turn it off now and again.
    A kind of "pulse and glide" for proper temperature.

    jp
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    heated seats are hot! i feel like i wet myself, even on low. and it only takes a few seconds to heat up.
     
  7. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    You've tried then in Prime?

    In PHV, the "hot" was just right for Minnesota.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just on my test drive. yeah, i suppose location matters. do you find them different than pip?
     
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  9. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    I have only experienced Spring cold so far, not the dead of Winter yet.
     
  10. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    And, the heaters draw the battery down a bit. They do reduce the electric distance run a few miles before the gasoline engine starts.
     
  11. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Seat & Wheel effectiveness reduces the need for cabin heating. A lower setting works fine when butt & hands are comfortable.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably less than the heat pump.
     
  13. bps

    bps Active Member

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    Sounds exciting! ;)
     
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  14. Cave Arnold

    Cave Arnold Member

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    I got my Prime Advanced in late January and winter continued until about mid April. It never got into the low teens or single digits, but it was in the upper teens several times. With my previous 2014 PiP I did not have heated steering wheel and would often need to wear gloves when driving in the winter on very cold days. Since I have had the new Prime I have not had to wear gloves and I find that the heated steering wheel works very well. I normally take about 1-2 minutes to get all setup before I start moving from the park position, but in that time I found that the heated steering wheel was nice and warm. I had seat heaters previously and those also worked well and the Prime's work as well as the PiP's so far as I can tell.

    My favorite Prime addition though is not the heated steering wheel, but the heap pump and the ability to use remote climate to start the vehicle heating for 10 minutes as I make my way to leave from work. It takes me about 8-9 minutes to walk from my office to my car so at the end of a cold day I just start the remote climate and by the time I get to my vehicle it is nice and toasty compared to the outside temps or the temp inside my car which is parked above ground on the side of "wind chill hill" as I call it. Don't forget to lock the vehicle or remote climate will not work. My 2 cents.
     
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  15. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    Looking forward to trying that heat pump trick from my office window! Do the lights flash to let you know it started?
     
  16. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Advanced offers the option of starting the heater using your phone.
     
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  17. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    Yep, I know - but just depressing the button on the key fob sounds 5 seconds faster.
     
  18. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    I put the heated passenger seat on low, it worked fine. Compared to my vette which is our other car with heated seats, the Toyota ones seem better, but the vette seats are also cooled!

    How do you turn on the heated steering wheel?!?
     
  19. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    It's a button the the right side of the steering wheel.
     
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  20. scm2000

    scm2000 Active Member

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    I've had heated seats before in a conventional car and never noticed any less need for cabin heat.