2016 Seat Heaters

[MikeM.]

OK, this is becoming depressing. The sound system sucks, unquestionably, and now I'm hearing that the heated seats aren't really "heating," but rather just tipid warmers. WTF????

You'll find a lot of dissatisfied people around here.

IMO, it has more to do with generally dissatisfied people in life than any major deficiencies in the vehicle at hand. I think it's a brilliant car at a better than expected price point. Sure, it has it's warts, all cars do. But you also can't believe everything you hear. I'm satisfied with the stereo but the GPS system is rather crippled. I live with it because the chassis, handling, MPG and functionality is so brilliant and is simply not available in any car in a broad price range.


I like myself and the life I've created - the CX-5 puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Some people are naturally frustrated with their lives, whether it's due to being over-extended, less than happy relationships/family life or depression/mood swings. Unfortunately, this is going to reflect in the way they view their car.

You can rest assured because the complaints tend to be subjective like "the stereo doesn't sound very good" or "the seats don't get hot enough", not" my transmission fell off, it's stuck in first gear" or "my engine makes grinding noises and the starter only works half the time".

 

[CX-9_guy]

OK, this is becoming depressing. The sound system sucks, unquestionably, and now I'm hearing that the heated seats aren't really "heating," but rather just tipid warmers. WTF????

I don't know that the sound system sucks. I've found a glitch or two (I don't have nav), but so far the system in my CX-5 is not bad at all. Hopefully, a firmware upgrade somewhere along the line will resolve the minor glitches I have seen.

I stand by my earlier comment on the heated seats. I am disappointed in them. They aren't toasty like the seat heaters in our 2013 CX-9, but on the high setting they are warm. When the weather gets cold around here, I'll be glad I've got warm seats, even if they aren't as toasty as I would prefer.

My point: even though I do a lot of research on a vehicle before I buy it, I've never owned a car that didn't have a minor issue or two. None were deal breakers that made me regret buying the car or truck, and this CX-5 is no different. Had I known about the seat heaters (we bought the car in June, and I didn't test them), I still would have bought the car. My biggest concern about the sound system was whether or not my 59 year old brain could figure the thing out (it did . Now I bluetooth my favorites from my iPhone). The car drives and handles better than any other small/mid SUV I test drove. Nothing else was even close. It rides firm, but that's Mazda and I like it. My gas mileage is running between 27 - 28 mpg highway/city combined, and I got 30.1 on a recent trip to the mountains. The car is well built overall, and I can agree w/MikeM on this point; driving it puts a smile on my face, too.

 

[Jazzjim]

I guess I'm stuck thinking like my parents, even though I'm only 65, but when they bought something, they fully expected to get what was said to be offered. When my mother, who never drove a car in her life, walked to the local butcher, explained what type of meat she wanted, if it turned out to be sinuey or tough, by God, he got it back the next day. If you claim to have heated seats, I don't expect bun warmers instead. And when you advertise a stunning Bose sound system, I fully expect a fabulous sounding system, not a system where I need to call Best Buy or some aftermarket supplier to purchase replacement speakers to achieve what I expected to get with my brand new SUV. That's absolutely ridiculous!

 

[MrPerception]

I never had an issue with the BOSE sound system, as long as the Centerpoint feature was turned off. That just made it all sound muffled. As long as that was off, it sounded great. Although the BOSE system on my CX-3 sounds better IMO. Traded our CX-5 in for it. Noticed the seats are a lot warmer on it than they ever were on the CX-5. Overall it was a great vehicle and my wife loved it. But she likes the CX-3 ever better now

 

[Jazzjim]

I never had an issue with the BOSE sound system, as long as the Centerpoint feature was turned off. ****I can't help but wonder what Japanese guru decided to put that Center-weighted sound system in the CX5 and lock in a contract with Bose to continue it (as they claimed when I called them)? In you opinion, how much difference is there between the 3 & 5? How about when it comes to snow-covered roads? Thanks

 

[JbCalg]

How about when it comes to snow-covered roads? Thanks

contrary to popular belief, most of us north of the 49th parallel won't be driving on snow covered roads for a while yet
have to get the igloos built and a snowshoe tune-up first

and ditto mike and cx-9 - real or perceived warts and all - the cx-5 is FUN - no regrets

 

[frenchbiker]

Tried the heated seats in my 2016 CX-5 this morning and I couldn't feel anything. The heated seats in my Acura TL were MUCH warmer, even in low. Very disappointing.

 

[jhu8]

It's really a subjective matter. 42 degree morning here and after having it on for 10-15 min, I felt it was burning on setting 3. My fiance didn't think the same at all. It also depends on type of clothing you have on as well. They're average seat warmers but I think they get the job done.

 

[yrwei52]

It's really a subjective matter. 42 degree morning here and after having it on for 10-15 min, I felt it was burning on setting 3. My fiance didn't think the same at all. It also depends on type of clothing you have on as well. They're average seat warmers but I think they get the job done.

Although it's a subjective matter, but most people here are complaining the weak heated seats on CX-5 is based on his/her experience with other cars. It's a fare complaint and has nothing to do with his/her personal life! Me and my wife both feel the heated front seats in our CX-5 are the weakest among all other cars we've owned.

 

[jhu8]

Although it's a subjective matter, but most people here are complaining the weak heated seats on CX-5 is based on his/her experience with other cars. It's a fare complaint and has nothing to do with his/her personal life! Me and my wife both feel the heated front seats in our CX-5 are the weakest among all other cars we've owned.

Right it's a subjective comparison to other cars people have driven. I agree though, they're definitely not strong but just average. It's on par with other cars I've had. Infitniti qx4, mustang GT, and elantra.

I wonder how the heating works. Can you adjust them in anyway. Guessing not and its just the type of heater.

 

[yrwei52]

I wonder how the heating works. Can you adjust them in anyway. Guessing not and its just the type of heater.

Be careful on that. VW Passat had a recall on certain MYs that the heated seat is getting too hot and burns thought the leather surface making a hole! (boom03)

 

[TimPro]

Just my 2 cents, but I remember an issue similar to this in my Mazda6 back in the day. And the general thought was, their strength was determined by the a/c. If you had your a/c set to just warm then they only heated the seats very little. However, if you put your a/c on full heat, the seats would get full on heated.

Just a thought. I have a 15 CX-5 Touring( no heated seats) so I can't test that theory, but it's worth a shot.


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[MidwestCX5]

Be careful on that. VW Passat had a recall on certain MYs that the heated seat is getting too hot and burns thought the leather surface making a hole! (boom03)

I had a Passat and that was the hottest seat heater I have ever felt.
The seat heater in my 2015 CX-5 was still working well when it snowed last week. It warms up much more quickly than the climate control heat when the engine is cold.

 

[jhu8]

However, if you put your a/c on full heat, the seats would get full on heated.
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Interesting. Will definitely have to look into this. What year Mazda was this?

 

[TimPro]

Interesting. Will definitely have to look into this. What year Mazda was this?

04 Mazda6




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[Jazzjim]

Hate to be blunt, but in the process of buying a new cx5 GT, with heated seats. It's one of the reasons for purchasing the GT. But if the heated seats are not really heating, then I have an issue with Mazda. Maybe I'm just getting old, but if the seats are not truly "heated front seats," then either fixt the problem or remove the claim that they are.

 

[MikeM.]

But if the heated seats are not really heating, then I have an issue with Mazda. Maybe I'm just getting old, but if the seats are not truly "heated front seats," then either fixt the problem or remove the claim that they are.

I find it odd to say "if the heated seats are not really heating" because they are, it's just a question if they are heating up to a degree that you find acceptable. If they don't heat up to designed temperatures then Mazda will repair them under warranty.

It would be like buying a "Sport" model Mustang and then claiming it wasn't "sporty" enough. Many people here have testified that, while they have had heated sears that became hotter, the ones in the CX-5 are more than adequate. I'm sure every body experiences the heat differently. People with a thicker layer of fat will likely feel the heat less and over a smaller percentage of their butt. And I'm sure some people have less blood flow and a naturally colder butt. What might burn one person could perhaps barely be felt by another. But either they put out the designed wattage of heat or they don't.

BTW, the amount of heat produced can be measured by using an ohm meter to measure the resistance of the heating wires and multiplying it by the voltage supplied while the circuit is under load. If the resistance is above that specified by Mazda the heat will be too low. If the voltage under load is too low, it is probably an indication of excessive resistance in the circuit that needs to be tracked down (assuming overall system voltage is within spec). It could be as simple as a partially blown fuse or a bad crimp connection.

 

[Lbear]

Hate to be blunt, but in the process of buying a new cx5 GT, with heated seats. It's one of the reasons for purchasing the GT. But if the heated seats are not really heating, then I have an issue with Mazda. Maybe I'm just getting old, but if the seats are not truly "heated front seats," then either fixt the problem or remove the claim that they are.

The seats are heating and they work great. I used them numerous times and find the heating more than adequate.

I really don't know what people are complaining about but they work great.

 

[Ride92]

I actually really like the heat levels given off by the CX-5 seat heaters. I typically run on the warmer side so I don't need a seat heater to seat my back end. I have been in cars where it gets uncomfortably warm to the point of almost painfully hot. I'm glad the cx-5 is not like that. I think a good way to describe it is a seat "warmer", not a seat heater. It takes the chill out if the seats and provides a bit of warming comfort in the cold weather. I don't want my but so warm that I'm sweating buckets into my seat and creating nice sweat stains up my crack!

 

[76brian]

It could be as simple as a partially blown fuse

Partially blown? What does that even mean? I've been working with electronic circuits for 20+ years and I have never once seen or heard of a "partially blown" fuse. A fuse is either open, or it's not.

A poorly crimped connection could be right on point though.