Does car seat warmers use gas to operate?

Question

I know AC uses gas to operate and heaters doesn't. What about car seat warmers?

Answer 1

That would use electricity.

Answer 2

A/C uses gas because it's connected to the engine by a belt. It takes more energy, hence gas, to run the A/C when on, because it puts more load on the engine. Heaters just warm air using the heat generated by the engine, thus it takes a minute or two to get going. Seat warmers do use electricity from the battery when the engine isn't running, but uses energy from the alternator when the engine is running. The extra load would cause the engine to need more gas, just like the A/C, though not a very noticeable amount.

Answer 3

Car Seat Warmers

Answer 4

Seat Warmers

Answer 5

YES
True the seat heaters are electric, but the electricity comes from somewhere - the charging system. The charging system is powered by the alternator/battery. The power for the battery and the alternator come from the alternator which is driven from the belt off the motor.
So, while the fuel usage may not be a significant - it still uses some.

Answer 6

From the battery? People! They work from the car electrical system, the battery is only used when the engine is off, but whatever you use has to be replenished when the engine is on. Anyway, heated seats are electrical and ultimately they are powered by the alternator which is driven by the engine which burns gas. So in the end using the heated seats does consume gas, but not enough so that you'd ever notice.

Answer 7

Perhaps this is somewhat pedantic, but using the seat heaters will have a slight effect on fuel consumption.

Any heavy demand on the vehicle electrical system will increase the loading on the alternator, which in turn will cause it to require more engine power to turn it - in just the same way as the aircon pump takes more power when it cuts in.

This is why almost all cars now have a timer on the heated rear screen circuit - to avoid unnecessary load.

Answer 8

No, they work off of the battery. While the car is turned on to auxiliary the electrical works and the seat heaters come on when turned on. However this will run down the battery if you keep them on for long periods of me without running your car. Driving the car will cause the alternator to turn and this will charge the battery.

Answer 9

Yes , In order for you to even think about getting in your car when the weather is so cold that you need to use seatwarmers, you will start the engine to warm up the whole vehicle , than turn on the seat warmers to add to your warmth.

Answer 10

No electricity,but the A/C compresser slowes down the engine speed thus making the engine use more gas(you can notice it on hills)

Answer 11

ANY electrical accessory that you use in the car is going to draw against the battery, which draws against the alternator, which takes power from the engine, which has to burn more fuel to maintain the same RPM...