159515100

My 2011 A8L has ventilated seats (both heated and cooling) however to be honest I am not sure what to expect with the cooling feature as regardless of what color light is on when this feature is turned on I can’t really feel anything. Does this feature work in conjunction with the AC and the temperature it is set at or is it independent of the AC? I should turn on the heated seats to see if I feel anything there as I have never done so but wanted to know from the rest of you with this feature what your experiences are. It seems to me when it is set at it highest level (the three blue lights) cool air should be coming up from the seat at a velocity at lest detectible by your hand but to be honest I really don’t know whether or not this expectation is realistic. Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.

Glenn

derfA8L

Don't think the old hand test works here. Take a sheet of tissue paper and turn on the seat vent. You should be able to see the tissue float up off the seat with varying levels of velocity, depending on the switch setting. And yes, the vent system works off the a/c system. I believe the heating function works via electric heat elements, not through the a/c system.

Big Hank

I feel the same way. My Acura MDX has ventilated seats and they blow way more air than my A8. I have an early build 2011 NWB D4. I would like to hear from others as well!

DRCHA6

My NWB (VIN1024) has the option and I'm noticing little true air movement however, if I am somewhat "sweaty", I can sense air movement especially in the back and not so much in the seat. Not ever having this option before I had no idea as to what to expect but on full, three green lights, I would expect it to be more apparent. Incidentally, the meager output is noticeable in the passenger seat. I did use an A8L with a much later build (June '11) with the same, almost imperceptible, air output.

derfA8L

If you had a D3 A8 previously, you'd probably find that the air output of the ventilated seats is a bit stronger on the D4---however, Audi's design philosophy on this feature appears to err on the side of subtlety vs. aggressive air flow. In the end, on a hot day, the seat ventilation does work and keeps you cool and dry.

jetinder

They've changed the way ventilated seats work on the D4. I was told the D3 blew cold air at you. The D4 sucks it away. Haven't done too much in depth testing myself, I just leave it on. If you switch it off, you notice the absence.

derfA8L

Jet-

I think it still blows air at you. Pretty sure it's temp coordinated to the a/c's cooling system, so drawing air away wouldn't quite fit that scenario. According to the owner's manual the LEDs on both the seat ventilation and seat heating switches "indicate the temperature level. To reduce the temperature, press the button repeatedly until the LED turns off."

It could be that there is no actual change in air flow velocity on the seat ventilation (like there was/is on the D3), but rather a change in air temp. I'll do the old tissue test this weekend when I get back into my car.