Heated Seat Element

Heated Seat Element - Typical:

The heated seat system includes two seat heating elements in each front seat, one for the seat cushion and the other for the seat back. All models use two carbon fiber mesh heating elements for each seat that are connected in parallel with the Heated Seat Module (HSM). The temperature sensor is a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor. One temperature sensor is used for each seat, and it is located in the seat cushion heating element for all models.

The seat heating elements are glued onto the seat and seat back cushions. The heated seat elements and the temperature sensor cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged a new service part must be installed.

The heated seat elements resist the flow of electrical current. When battery current is passed through the elements, the energy lost by the resistance of the elements is released in the form of heat. The temperature sensor is a NTC thermistor. The heated seat module supplies a five-volt current to one side of each sensor, and monitors the voltage drop through the sensor on a return circuit. When the temperature of the seat cushion cover rises, the resistance of the sensor decreases. The heated seat module uses this temperature sensor input to monitor the temperature of the seat, and regulates the current flow to the seat heating elements accordingly.