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Question about ventilated seats...

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by RobPaterson99, Jul 18, 2018.

  1. Jul 18, 2018 at 9:53 AM
    #1
    RobPaterson99

    RobPaterson99 [OP] New Member

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    I have a 2018 Platinum Tundra Crewmax. On the 90 degree days this summer I have had my ventilated seats turned on quite a bit. I can tell that something is taking place, but there is really no significant cooling. I am not sure if this is normal for Toyota's seats. I sold GM product for a number of months and the seats in the Sierra Denali had significant cooling. I have been in a friends F150 and got the same distinct cooling sensation.

    The "cooling" in my Tundra seems to be much more subtle...at times almost imperceptible. Can any of you speak to this? Is this normal for the Tundra or does this seem like it is not functioning properly?

    Thanks!

    Rob
     
  2. Jul 18, 2018 at 10:07 AM
    #2
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    I believe that it just pushed ambient air through perforation in the leather. Ford actually pipes in cold air from the AC.
     
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  3. Jul 18, 2018 at 10:22 AM
    #3
    tbutler

    tbutler Team Toyota

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    My wife drives a 2018 Lexus with the same system. It seems to only be ambient air blown through. I questioned her about it last week, it didn't seem very cool.
     
  4. Jul 18, 2018 at 10:25 AM
    #4
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    Our Lexus does the same, it’s just a fan underneath, not piped AC. Can’t imagine it’s less luxurious brother Toyota being better.
     
  5. Jul 18, 2018 at 10:25 AM
    #5
    Masher59

    Masher59 New Member

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    I traded in my Denali Dually on the new Tundra and I definitely notice a difference. I have noticed as the temp in the truck drops the seats cool better so it's definitely using ambient. I don't like the seats too cold anyway especially if I'm sweating which happened in the Denali frequently. I just like the air moving that keeps you from heating up the seat and starting to sweat or sticking to it.
     
  6. Jul 18, 2018 at 10:29 AM
    #6
    Biff_Elwood

    Biff_Elwood New Member

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    Im working on it!
    The AC to the floor needs to be on for maximum effect.
     
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  7. Jul 18, 2018 at 11:03 AM
    #7
    Baldmonkey22

    Baldmonkey22 New Member

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    actually there are separate cooling elements in each seat on the fords. but ill take reliability and a seat fan over Eco junk and cold seats.
     
  8. Jul 18, 2018 at 11:06 AM
    #8
    TundraNoCo

    TundraNoCo New Member

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    Bed lined, tinted all 5 windows, hose clamped tailgate, toolbox, steps, ESP rear seat storage bins, dash cam, anytime camera switch, console safe, pop a lock for tailgate and wheels/flares, sway bar. I have Techstream if anyone local needs it.
    My 2018 is the same way. Pretty weak output. You can feel it when the seat fan is on high, and you hold the back of your hand close to the seats. When I got this 2018 truck, one of the many things I missed was the Glock compartment that was in my 2008 and 2013. So, I tore the console apart planning to make my own compartment. Much to my surprise, there were ducts running through where the removable cupholder and Glock compartment were on the 2008 & 2013 Tundras. So, I think they are piping cold air in.
     
  9. Jul 18, 2018 at 11:26 AM
    #9
    Baldmonkey22

    Baldmonkey22 New Member

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    There's the vents on the back of the console and vents under the seat for rear passengers but not a dedicated duct for the seat ventilation.
     
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  10. Jul 18, 2018 at 11:49 AM
    #10
    RobPaterson99

    RobPaterson99 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for this information! One of the reasons I went with the Platinum over the Limited was for this feature. I didn't really test it because every other vehicle I had been in that had it, it worked really well! In hindsight I may have gotten the LTD instead, but not a big deal. I am just glad to know that the function is normal, even if it is not up to the level I was anticipating.
     
  11. Jul 18, 2018 at 12:30 PM
    #11
    Baldmonkey22

    Baldmonkey22 New Member

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    The platinum is still a lot nicer than the Limited though the limited you can make an off road.
     
  12. Jul 18, 2018 at 1:49 PM
    #12
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    for Toyota the only model that has dedicated cooling function (if I remember correctly) is the lexus LS series which actually pipes a/c air under the seat. all other Toyota/lexus use the ambient temp under the seat to "cool". if you look in documentation, Toyota refers to it as ventilated not cooled. big distinction. even the land cruiser has vented seats.

    a lot of manufacturers call it cooled but technically its ventilated.

    I know on my 2014 4runner limited, the fan is a lot stronger than the tundra platinum as you can hear it whoosh air when you go from low to med to high. changing the setting on the tundra you cant even tell it changes speed by the wind noise.
     
  13. Jul 20, 2018 at 9:03 AM
    #13
    trooper669

    trooper669 New Member

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    Rob, I have an '18 1794. I was very disappointed in the cooling of the seats. I have a cadillac that pipes in cold air, and a few previous vehicles were much colder than the Tundra. At least the seat heaters are very warm for winter time I guess!
     
  14. Jul 20, 2018 at 4:56 PM
    #14
    plumber802

    plumber802 New Member

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    The ventilated seats are kinda weak,No complaints with the heat function though.
     
  15. Jul 23, 2018 at 1:44 PM
    #15
    trooper669

    trooper669 New Member

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    Agreed. It's a shame with all the tech out there, cooled seats are not higher calibre
     
  16. Jul 24, 2018 at 5:02 AM
    #16
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    that would involve more materials and man hours to run a dedicated tunnel from the a/c unit to the seat blower than just sticking a blower under the seat to pull ambient air to cool your butt :)
     
  17. Jul 24, 2018 at 9:05 AM
    #17
    trooper669

    trooper669 New Member

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    yeah, but other companies have been doing it for years, Toyota SHOULD be up to par with this by this stage in the game.
     
  18. Jul 24, 2018 at 9:12 AM
    #18
    nowayout

    nowayout New Member

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    Same here, the F250 plat had such cold ball coolers you couldn't keep them on all the time. When I was shopping for the Tundra I realized how weak they were, actually how weak the whole AC system is.
     
  19. Jul 24, 2018 at 10:46 AM
    #19
    SnrDisregardo

    SnrDisregardo New Member

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    That being said, I wonder if the 4Runner's would be a retrofit option?
     
  20. Jul 24, 2018 at 11:15 AM
    #20
    trooper669

    trooper669 New Member

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    HA! Ball coolers. I literally spit out my drink!!!
     
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  21. Jul 24, 2018 at 1:36 PM
    #21
    MGMTundra251

    MGMTundra251 New Member

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    My Lexus ES 350 has balls cooler that taps into the a/c duct. It blows pretty darn cold air when A/C is on. Love it, especially on long trips.

    Just bought the wife a 18 Highlander with ventilated seats but haven’t tested it to see if it also blows cold air or not.

    I miss that option in my tundra.
     
  22. Jul 24, 2018 at 1:58 PM
    #22
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    the only issue I see is the size of the fan and whether it will fit in the bracket for the tundra seat vs the 4runner seat.

    funny part, the fan is stronger in the 4runner than the tundra but the heated seats of the tundra are orders of magnitude better than the 4runner (same goes for the 2016 Tacoma with cloth seats, the heated seats were even hotter than the tundra)

    heated seats : setting 1 on the tundra is like setting 3 on the 4runner, setting 2 on the Tacoma was like setting 3 on the tundra. the wife loved it, but man I couldn't leave the seats on after initial warm up for me. just to dam hot even during -20F temps.

    guess I just use to the temps during the winter. but then again when you go thru -20F temps and it hits 30-40F spring its like a freaking heat wave.
     
  23. Jul 24, 2018 at 4:13 PM
    #23
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    Definitely on the weak side, even worse on the 18s because the new freon takes longer to cool down a hot cab. Fine once it gets going though.
     
  24. Jul 25, 2018 at 12:05 PM
    #24
    BWinter

    BWinter New Member

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    Yep, I also have the ventilated seats on my 1794. They are subtle in function. I leave mine on level 2 all the time in this summer heat. Local high temps are running 101-107 degrees. Seats are hot if in direct sun light after sitting outside for a while. Seems to cool down well and quick enough for me. 2018 has the new R1234YF refrigerant and I was concerned about that. So far it has worked well. I leave the HVAC system in Auto and 72 degrees and am pleased so far. I do open the moon roof and lower back window or side windows about two inches if sitting for a long time.
     
  25. Oct 21, 2019 at 10:04 PM
    #25
    rpeters09

    rpeters09 New Member

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    Does it cool the bottom only? Is there any cooling on your back? Mine just feels like it is the bottom only.
     
  26. Oct 22, 2019 at 1:49 AM
    #26
    plumber802

    plumber802 New Member

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    Yes, just the bottom of the seat is "ventilated". There is a fan under the seat that blows air upwards.
     

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