Power Draw of Steering Wheel and Seat Heaters

TL;DR: Heated seats draw between 140 and 170 Watts each, while the steering wheel heater draws 113 to 170 Watts.

NTLDR:

I wanted to know how much power the heated seats consume and couldn’t find concrete answers. Using some basic electrical principles, I calculated it:

  • Automotive circuits typically run at 13.7–14.7 V (though my car measured at 15.1 V).
  • The seats share a 30 A fuse, and the steering wheel has a 15 A fuse.
  • Assuming circuits peak at 75% of the fuse rating:
    • Seats: ~22.5 A max → 140–170 W per seat
    • Steering wheel: ~11.25 A max → 113–170 W

This means running both the steering wheel and driver’s seat at max would reduce range by 1–2 miles per hour. In contrast, the cabin heater costs about 25 miles of range per hour when maxed out.

This power draw is small, but I love having precise numbers!

Based on temperature, the seat heater at level three draws about a gigawatt.

Peyton said:
Based on temperature, the seat heater at level three draws about a gigawatt.

So true. My car has three seat heater settings:

  1. OMG I AM BEING BURNED ALIVE
  2. OW OW OW OW
  3. Is this thing on?

Peyton said:
Based on temperature, the seat heater at level three draws about a gigawatt.

If people didn’t use it, they wouldn’t include it! I use the auto setting, which ramps up and then tapers off. Works for me.

Thanks for breaking this down! I’m not a fan of heated seats, but my partner loves them. Heated steering wheels, though? Absolutely worth it!

Han said:
Thanks for breaking this down! I’m not a fan of heated seats, but my partner loves them. Heated steering wheels, though? Absolutely worth it!

I wish I could heat my lower back to the max and just warm the seat bottom. Free physical therapy!

I adore heated steering wheels—they’re safer, too. Worth every bit of range they consume!

Mal said:
I adore heated steering wheels—they’re safer, too. Worth every bit of range they consume!

Totally agree. The real-world impact is minimal, so blast away!

Didn’t think I’d care for the heated steering wheel, but now I love it. I wish my car had ventilated seats, though.

Kase said:
Didn’t think I’d care for the heated steering wheel, but now I love it. I wish my car had ventilated seats, though.

Ventilated seats are coming with the 2025 model. It’s about time!