eTripping.au

A ventilated jacket, vs the heat up north

Emerald, Victoria
Mobile uploads HQ
HQ HQ
HQ HQ
Show 1 more photo Show 7 more photos Hide additional photos
FB FB FB FB
HQ

In preparation for starting our road trip tomorrow to NSW, I want to protect my new found Victorian sensibilities against the harsh heat and humidity up north 😉. Fortunately, Helen bought me a great Christmas present for the job: a ventilated seat cover!

I know the Tesla Model 3 new “Highland” 2024 model comes with built in ventilated seats. But our 2022 Model 3 does not.

Installation was fairly simple. I just looped the hole over the headrest, spent several minutes pulling it down hard, far enough to pop in under. I pushed the back of the cover under the plastic back of the seat. I couldn’t find something under the seat for the hooks to grab. It is powered by the 12V outlet in the centre arm rest.

It does the job well, preventing my back from getting sweaty and sticking to the seat. I wish I had this for our earlier Queensland trips. The mini fans in the seat cover keep my back and bum ventilated and cool. The buttons allow setting the different fan speeds.

The seat feels a bit lumpy, especially where the fans are. It makes a high pitch fan noise, especially when I move around. Small prices to pay.

While I was at it, I vacuumed the seats and hosed the floor mats. Ready to set off tomorrow!

Charging

I can run the seat fans off the battery while driving, and for hours while parked. Similar to our air con and our car fridge that we sometimes take on road trips, the ventilated seat draws small power from the massive car battery (through the 12V system). We don't need to keep an engine running. No fumes in the car park while trying to keep cool 😎.

10 comments

  1. Evert Numan via Facebook ↗
    Er... wait... only one... ?

    /runs
    1

    Reply

    1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au
      Evert Numan LOL. Yes. I (Tom) am the only one who complains about the sweaty back 😓
      11

      Reply

      1. Evert Numan via Facebook ↗
        Tesla Tripping maybe so... but... you may lose driving privileges?

        /runs faster

        EDIT: (/wanders back)
        I do love this present - would be great for the Model Y that I am sure I can afford soon.
        11

        Reply

  2. Stephen Sizer via Facebook ↗
    Is it designed to work with the seat airbag? If not, it could be dangerous
    4

    Reply

    1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au
      Stephen Sizer I have wondered that myself. It is designed for Tesla, but I need to research further.
      1

      Reply

    2. Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗
      Stephen Sizer great question, the companies that sell these after market covers do not test them so I guess it's a risk you take.

      Reply

    3. Neerav Bhatt via Facebook ↗
      Stephen Sizer very good question. The first thing I thought of

      Reply

  3. David Posavec via Facebook ↗
    Great installation pictures. They do keep your back and bottom dry on hot days. Ours are great 👍 . Had the black version of yours for several weeks now.
    I hooked the front straps to the metal underneath the front of the seat, but it was difficult. The 3 seats are lower so even more difficult to find a spot.
    1

    Reply

  4. Good Earth Group via Facebook ↗
    i need this for road trips, keep us updated

    Reply

  5. Art Bodera via Facebook ↗
    It's shite. My wife demanded it to be removed. It is thick enough to notice sitting higher, it's uncomfortable and makes the cushion flat (less side support), it is hard to sit on (it's a plastic mesh-like structure for dispersing the air), the high-pitched fan sound drives me insane, even in the lowest setting.
    The worst thing about it - it's designed for LHD, so the button/controller is on the door side (outside), and it completely fell apart after 2 weeks of use (getting in and out of the car)
    1

    Reply

Leave a comment