Cool Seats or Ventilated Seats

Hi,

Can someone help me understand what the difference is between 'cool seats' and 'ventilated seats'? I'm shopping for a new car and I keep hearing the two words being used. So, what is the difference? And which is better?

Help!!!!

I've seen the seats on my cars referred to as air conditioned seats, cooled seats, and ventilated seats. In my mind, ventilated seats would just have a blower that circulates air through perforations in the seats. The button on my car shows a blue logo with what appears to be ventilation. It definitely cools though since with shorts on and the high setting selected it almost feels like it's burning because it gets cold. On my SUV, the button illuminates a seat in blue that also says "A/C" with a 5 position selector wheel. Again, this is definitely not just circulating air as it too gets cold like my car.

These are both Ford products and I don't recall how the owner's manual refers to the feature. Others have used all three terms when discussing the feature. I suspect most manufacturers use a very similar system. My guess would be they incorporate a Peltier system since the seats are also heated, but I haven't investigated that far.

-Rod

Yep, my Fords use a Peltier device. Per the service manual:
"Thermo-Electric Device (TED) and blower assembly within each front seat cushion and backrest"

-Rod

Thanks Shorod!

Yep, my Fords use a Peltier device. Per the service manual:
"Thermo-Electric Device (TED) and blower assembly within each front seat cushion and backrest"

-Rod

Another gimmick I wouldn't want in my ride even it the dealer threw it in free. The car battery's primary role is to crank the engine and power external lighting - not to coddle our spoiled keesters! :2cents: