Definitely 3 lights/first push on is the hottest.

 

This should be easy to confirm. Anyone with a IR temp gun?

 

Why the complaint in the first place ?! Nothing wrong with some free birth control... and much less painful than a vasectomy !

 

I recently had my driver's seat leather (back only) cover replaced and now the seat heater barely gets warm. The original seat cover and the current passenger seat warms very nice and hot (on the high leve). I actually like this because as someone else stated, I just turn it off typically after I am nice and warm. By the way, I was told that seat heating elements are integrated into the seat covers, seems ridiculous to me especially if we have to replace a heating element after warranty expires. The cost is probably 10 times more that it would need to be.

Anyway, I am puzzeled as to why my seat is now not warming as the original one did. The TSB only mentions 2 options, one for making hotter and one for making colder. This does not seem to provide much flexability for adjusting. Maybe its possible that the technician installed this part the wrong way? I want my seat back to the normal nice hotness Anyone have this too cold issue in the R56?

 

Better take it back. Sounds like the didn't do it quite right.

 

I definately will take it back but was just curious if any other R56 owners have had this problem?

I am theorizing 3 possible issues:

1. New seat cover with the heater has changed the resistance of the seat and will need adjusted (if possible).
2. The temp sensor is in the wrong place causing heater to power down too quickly.
3. Bad seat heater to being with.

 

Sounds like birth control is a side benefit of the heated seats

On my MINI, there is a distinct difference between the settings, and I end up turning it off after running with setting 1 for a bit. The wife likes setting 3 ... we call it the "Princess" setting.

 

That CAN'T be right! 3 green on my seats makes me sweat unless the temp's near 0 F! Even then I can't leave it at 3G for too long... 2 is comfy below 40F, 1G hardly seems worth it.

This is on an early '07-build R56. 22,000+ US miles & still motoring!

 

Yeah that's goofy. 3 on mine is the hottest.

 

On the TV show "How it's made" a few days ago they showed the Mini's seats being built. The heating element is just a pad that is put on the seat cushion before the cover you see is attached. Interesting to see how the seats are made. Catch it on a rerun if you can. It was on Discovery or TLC type channel.

Like others have mentioned, any of the 3 settings is very hot...at first. After about 10 minutes the heat level tones down a bit. Before I realized that I was constantly turning them on and off. I've used all 3 settings now and I don't live near snow or sub-zero temps!

 

Hey cool, I watch that show sometimes. I've seen some weird things being made so the MINI seat would be a treat!

 

I've already found that the lowest setting is a bit too warm for me.