Date:         Sat, 21 Dec 2002 00:24:17 -0700
Reply-To:     Gary Lee <gary2a@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Lee <gary2a@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject:      re. Heated seats
Comments: cc: kimbrennan@MAC.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Kim wrote:
Any Canadian members with access to heated seats?

--- reply ---

I've never seen or heard of a Canadian Vanagon with heated seats.  I have
had jettas and passats with heated seats from 1985 and up.  My 1991 passat
has heated seats and I like it (not love it though, could easily live
without).  Your butt warms up in about 2 minutes while the cabin takes a few
minutes longer.  There is also a heating element in the lower lumber part of
the back rest.  Canadian VWs also sometimes have heated windshield washer
nozzles and heated side mirrors, these are both turned on with the rear
defrost.
The amps start to add up with all that stuff on.

Old Audi 5000s from 1980 and up commonly had heated seats in Canada, you
could cut out the heating elements and get the control relay out of a junked
car from a self service junk yard.  Problem is that the heating elements
often burnt out after a number of years.  Heating elements are
thermostatically controlled, so be sure and get all the parts.  It'll roast
your butt if left on all the time, gets way too hot.

Places like JC Whitney have retrofit kits.

Gary Lee
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/vanagonrack.htm