Ventilated seats trickle down to Touring?

8577 Views 21 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Robert.Mauro, Dec 5, 2018

pilot1226

Discussion Starter · May 27, 2018

I know this is a long time away, since the 19 Ascent didn’t even roll out yet.

Thoughts on if the ventilated seats will eventually trickle down into the Limited trims? I would much rather have a Black interior... the Java Brown isn’t a deal breaker, just not... “ideal”

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Rgashton

· #2 · May 27, 2018

pilot1226 said:
I know this is a long time away, since the 19 Ascent didn’t even roll out yet.

Thoughts on if the ventilated seats will eventually trickle down into the Limited trims? I would much rather have a Black interior... the Java Brown isn’t a deal breaker, just not... “ideal”

I'm sure the ventilated seats will eventually make its way to the Limited trim. I was disappointed that they weren't available for the Limited this first year but I guess they need to keep some things Touring only.

That said, I'm decent with the tools. So I'll be inspecting if there's a way to retrofit the ventilation system into the Limited seats. I can't imagine it will be impossible or too difficult... hard maybe and/or not worth it to other people, sure. But for us and likely for any other hot and humid climate customers, it will be worth the effort.

Reactions: 2

pilot1226

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 27, 2018

Ah, good for you. That’s well out of my league. I would consider waiting for a 2020 if it meant Limited with Ventilated seats. But, honestly, for me it’s just my preference of Java Brown. I’m hoping that they have a JB Touring in stock for the test drive next week so I can see it in person. It might not be so bad.

Jason

· #4 · May 28, 2018

My guess is the first time you'll see them on anything other than Touring is in 2022 when they do the mid cycle refresh.

FoRealz

· #5 · May 28, 2018

Rgashton said:
I'm sure the ventilated seats will eventually make its way to the Limited trim. I was disappointed that they weren't available for the Limited this first year but I guess they need to keep some things Touring only.

That said, I'm decent with the tools. So I'll be inspecting if there's a way to retrofit the ventilation system into the Limited seats. I can't imagine it will be impossible or too difficult... hard maybe and/or not worth it to other people, sure. But for us and likely for any other hot and humid climate customers, it will be worth the effort.

I'm also curious about retrofitting them into my limited as well... Maybe Carl or Jason have a parts hookup

Rgashton

· #6 · May 29, 2018

trashfo said:
Rgashton said:

I'm sure the ventilated seats will eventually make its way to the Limited trim. I was disappointed that they weren't available for the Limited this first year but I guess they need to keep some things Touring only.

That said, I'm decent with the tools. So I'll be inspecting if there's a way to retrofit the ventilation system into the Limited seats. I can't imagine it will be impossible or too difficult... hard maybe and/or not worth it to other people, sure. But for us and likely for any other hot and humid climate customers, it will be worth the effort.

Click to expand...

I'm also curious about retrofitting them into my limited as well... Maybe Carl or Jason have a parts hookup /forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Carl, Jason, are you guys hearing this?? If you could help us look into this that would be amazing! We would very much appreciate it.

I'll be sticking my head up the back end of a Touring seat as soon as I can get near one to see if I can see what kind of parts/system they have inside the seats. And hopefully find a part number or two while I'm in there. But if you guys have one of those parts breakdown on your computer to help possibly locate the necessary pieces that would be even better.

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pilot1226

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 29, 2018

Yeah, I don't wait to wait until 2022. My GTP is only good for another year anyway, and I want to take advantage of that.

Tony Yarusso

· #8 · May 29, 2018

This is the biggest thing I'm doing a "wait and see" on future model years for as well... Either that or lessen the price gap to the Touring and add the full array of color choices to it (ideally red exterior and grey interior).

Jason

· #9 · May 29, 2018

I poked my head under a touring to look and see how the ventilation got there and I honestly cannot remember what I saw

Its like a blank space in my field of vision lol. But I imagine there is more to it than just replacing the seat and retrofitting the vents.

I don't have one on my lot anymore otherwise I'd run out and look again

Gueromeister

· #10 · May 29, 2018

Jason said:
I poked my head under a touring to look and see how the ventilation got there and I honestly cannot remember what I saw Its like a blank space in my field of vision lol. But I imagine there is more to it than just replacing the seat and retrofitting the vents.

I don't have one on my lot anymore otherwise I'd run out and look again

Could the “ ventilated” seats be something as simple a a small fan(example:like used to cool your computer) mounted under (in?) the seat that sucks up air from the car and pushes the air thru the seats?or Maybe buy a couple Java Brown Touring seats (with “ventilation “) and have them reupholstered to match the ivory or black seats?
By simple I meant the ventilation is contained within the seat except for the wired connection...I would think the mounting brackets for all the seats would be the same for efficiency....
Just a thought, do not really care.... just waiting for my car to get here ......

lazydaze$$

· #11 · May 29, 2018

ventilated seat conversions are out there
https://www.ac-mn.com/products/interior/seat-comfort-systems/ventilated-seats/

Robert.Mauro

· #12 · May 29, 2018

lazydaze$$ said:
ventilated seat conversions are out there
https://www.ac-mn.com/products/interior/seat-comfort-systems/ventilated-seats/

Just keep in mind that the side of the seats have airbags built into them.

Jason

· #13 · May 29, 2018

lazydaze$$ said:
ventilated seat conversions are out there
https://www.ac-mn.com/products/interior/seat-comfort-systems/ventilated-seats/

I had a customer put ventilated seats in his 2014 Hatch STI. It was a really nice system. Personally, I think they were better at keeping the seats cool than the new Ascent's system.

Rgashton

· #14 · May 29, 2018

Jason said:
lazydaze$$ said:

ventilated seat conversions are out there
https://www.ac-mn.com/products/interior/seat-comfort-systems/ventilated-seats/

Click to expand...

I had a customer put ventilated seats in his 2014 Hatch STI. It was a really nice system. Personally, I think they were better at keeping the seats cool than the new Ascent's system.

Jason, thanks for your efforts and for offering to go peek under a touring seat if you had one.

I watched a video on YouTube about installing an aftermarket ventilation system and it involved cutting into and gouging out part of the seat cushion to make a spot for the air distribution pouch. And then cutting a hole in the middle of the seat for the ducting... There's no way I'd do that to these seats.

These seats already have the perforated leather. And I'm just guessing/hoping that the "frame work" is already in the seat and/or cushion for the ventilation components. My thought is the same in regards of efficiency and keeping costs down that they'd use the same seats just not install the components. Even the wiring I'm guessing might be there.

My real concern, short of price for these extra components, is possibly the Limited computer may not be programmed for the ventilation part of the button/switch. Which could be a problem. But if the computer has nothing to do with it, hopefully I just need some part numbers ?

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icingrock

· #15 · May 30, 2018

I am not aware of any aftermarket car seat ventilation products yet. But my thing is that I like to have bench seat on 2nd row but also have ventilated seat at the same time. So going to Touring is fine for me except that I will lose bench seat.

Hope that they have ventilated seat at least as a hot weather package or whatever they call.

FoRealz

· #16 · Jun 5, 2018

Yesterday, I took a good hard look at the seats on the touring versus the limited and I have bad news...

The middle section on the touring has perforated holes whereas the limited appears to not have those same holes. (basically, the butt cushion and back cushion down the middle)

So that kind of stinks, and I definitely understand and agree with the frustrations of not wanting Java Brown seats.

I'm going to stick with my Limited and I think I'll survive without ventilated seats. But I am a little worried since this will be my first black interior vehicle and being out here in California.

It's still a "nice to have." I'm sure the mounts on the bottom of the seat would support the same cooling parts, but my guess is that leather not having the holes will be the issue.

Reactions: 1

Rgashton

· #17 · Jun 5, 2018 (Edited)

trashfo said:
Yesterday, I took a good hard look at the seats on the touring versus the limited and I have bad news...

The middle section on the touring has perforated holes whereas the limited appears to not have those same holes. (basically, the butt cushion and back cushion down the middle)

So that kind of stinks, and I definitely understand and agree with the frustrations of not wanting Java Brown seats.

I'm going to stick with my Limited and I think I'll survive without ventilated seats. But I am a little worried since this will be my first black interior vehicle and being out here in California.

It's still a "nice to have." I'm sure the mounts on the bottom of the seat would support the same cooling parts, but my guess is that leather not having the holes will be the issue.

Well, that puts a damper on things. I was hoping the leather had the exact same perforations as the touring... Sure, we'll be fine without the ventilated seats, we have thus far, but I'm not giving up just yet though!

Did you by any chance get any photos of the differences?

Leon Braginski

· #18 · Jun 5, 2018

Rgashton said:
Well, that puts a damper on things. I was hoping the leather had the exact same perforations as the touring... Sure, we'll be fine without the ventilated seats, we have thus far, but I'm not giving up just yet though!

While I am not in the CA, there some days over 100 F in Seattle during summer. I never had a problem with black leather in 2016 Forester. It's hot, but once you turn on AC and air out the car, it's fine.

With this said, I did order Touring, but only because of the front camera.

Reactions: 1

Carl Abrams

· #19 · Jun 15, 2018

Leon Braginski said:
While I am not in the CA, there some days over 100 F in Seattle during summer. I never had a problem with black leather in 2016 Forester. It's hot, but once you turn on AC and air out the car, it's fine.

With this said, I did order Touring, but only because of the front camera.

I'm in Oklahoma. We have some MONTHS where's it's over 100 F during the summer. My wife's 2015 Forester is black with black leather. And she'll leave the roof shade open to make it even warmer inside. In case anyone is wondering, you CAN melt a steering wheel if you do this. (Fortunately, it was still covered under warranty, although my shop wasn't happy about it.)

But yeah, once you air the car out and get the A/C going, the seats are fine. It's that first five minutes when you're going 'ouch' that's the main thing. (Oh, and I also treat the leather every three months so that it doesn't completely dry out and crack. Saddle soap and leather conditioner.)

pilot1226

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 16, 2018

With the remote start not killing the engine at door opening anymore, a good alternative to the v-seats is also just use the RS.

I barely use my remote start, and it being the OEM version was expensive. But the range is great and it provides two way feedback so I know it’s on.

But, I don’t like using it because it makes me start the car a second time. The starlink start is a much appreciated system.

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