Seat heaters - how hot?

[tdiggity]

picked up a 2019 X 6-seater a month ago and noticed that the seat heaters are particularly weak compared to my 2018 Model 3. In the 3, at highest setting they feel like they’ll burn me. On the X, I barely feel them.

At highest setting, drivers seat seems luke warm. Passenger seat next to driver seems a little better. Rear most seats the same. Have car seats in middle, so couldn’t test but will test later.

Anyone notice the same when comparing to the 3? Are the X warmers not as good? Or how would the service center test (set to max, use heat gun, what temp is acceptable?).

 

[Bigriver]

@tdiggity my 2017 MX seat heaters are as you described for your model 3: the highest setting is too hot.

 

[mxnym]

I leave my 2017 X driver seat on low, but my wife complains that the passenger seat doesn't *stay* hot on the high setting. She has driven my X and ridden in the middle row as well, and she says those seats work way better than the passenger seat. Service center insists nothing is wrong. Sounds like a lottery to me based on my vehicle alone.

 

[tdiggity]

I have a mobile service appt set for next week. Tesla probably thinks it’s a nothing burger, but I’m glad it’s a mobile visit so I can show them what I’m seeing.

I plan on showing him the steering wheel is super hot compared to the seats, and that the 3 is also super hot. The only hole in my plan is since all the seats in the X are weak, they could just say “that’s how it is”. We’ll see!

 

[tdiggity]

I tested all my seats today with a temp gun.

Ambient temp of seat and surrounding trim: 62F
Steering wheel - 88-92F
5 out of 6 seats: 70-75F
1 out of 6 seats: 80-84F

2018 Model 3 comparison: all seats 88-92F

This will be an interesting one. I bet Tesla says it’s fine because it’s better than replacing 5 seats. Stay tuned!

 

[tdiggity]

Mobile service came and agreed that the seats warmers are busted. I got out of their way and let them do their thing, but i did see them use a voltmeter for some diagnostics. They said they'll let me know next steps - he wasn't sure if a seat cushion or the heater element could be swapped out or what. In my search for broken seat warmers, all were fixed with a seat replacement except one thread mentioned trying to change a module but it didn't work so they had to change the seat anyway.

 

[IvesSM]

@tdiggity I'm very interested in your outcome on this issue. We just picked up a2019 model x 100D last week and my wife says the seat heaters are not really hot. She had a Y and likes the best she gets from it. The X heat is weak.

Thanks for posting.

 

[fr100]

Mine is also not hot compared to my Model 3. Seems to stop heating after 10 mins as well. I brought it in for service and they said it was normal.

 

[tdiggity]

Mine is also not hot compared to my Model 3. Seems to stop heating after 10 mins as well. I brought it in for service and they said it was normal.

Get some temp readings like in my post #5. I was ready to gather up all my data and go through arbitration/small claims unless they could show me a spec sheet or test procedure that shows what is a normal measurement.

 

[TheFro]

Let us know what you hear. I've noticed that the front passenger seat does not get nearly as the other seats and have wondered if this is worth bringing up as a service issue.

 

[tdiggity]

I have a follow up service visit scheduled for 2 weeks from now. The estimate only shows the front seat cushions/parts being changed. I asked about the other 4. Will know more in a couple weeks.

 

[KC0427]

I have similar issue like yours I have a 2017 X. I have let the service know that the seats get hot and after 5 to 10 mins it will become lukewarm and come back again. My passenger side is the most affected. But service says there is nothing wrong. And it is normal. I'm just wondering if anyone who has 2017 model x have the same issue? I also have a 3 and it doesn't change Temps unless I put in auto. But 2017 x doesn't have auto temp for heated seat. I never had this type of heated seat behavior on my other cars. Is this normal for 2017 model x?

 

[Chris Topher]

I leave my 2017 X driver seat on low, but my wife complains that the passenger seat doesn't *stay* hot on the high setting. She has driven my X and ridden in the middle row as well, and she says those seats work way better than the passenger seat. Service center insists nothing is wrong. Sounds like a lottery to me based on my vehicle alone.

I have the exact same problem in my 2019 MX. The service center also insisted nothing was wrong at first, but now they are investigating further. Did anyone get a resolution that I can share with my service techs so they know what to look for?