VW guys-adding seat heaters to 2011 Golf: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 25, 2011 5:17 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

So Mom went and bought her 8th VW. Dad and I have stopped trying to talk her out of them.

Anywho she wanted heated seats but didn't wait for a car that had them from the factory. Therefore it falls to me to add them. There are some rather nice aftermarket options for not much money but all of them warn of the dreaded passenger side occupant sensor. Since she wants both front seats to work I need to know what type of sensor VW employs. A sensor on top of the cushion and below the fabric is a deal breaker, but if its located below the cushions or on the frame we're golden. So does anyone know what type she has?

Also can anyone recommend a specific company to purchase from or avoid? Dad has done a kit in his Miata and I've done seat work at dealerships for years so the labor isn't an issue. Not catching on fire due to crappy design/materials would be nice.
April 25, 2011 6:20 p.m. vwcorvette Reader

I think the kits we install at Yipes in Vermont are from Katskin or Webasto. They are carbon fiber based so they can be cut to fit around sensors. It's the reason we went with them in the first place.
April 25, 2011 7:07 p.m. Stealthtercel Reader

Corbeau has some on their web site, viewable here.

Carbon fiber seems to be involved here too.
April 26, 2011 5:28 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

Thanks for the info. Most of the new ones seem to be CF based so not sure why some are so worried about the occupant sensor. Could it just be for liability reasons in case someone accidentally disables it while installing heaters?
April 26, 2011 6:43 p.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork

Some cars have sensors that can distinguish between a child, or an adult based on weight. Setting off the bag at an adult force level when there's a child in the seat would be a liability concern,too, as would it not deploying at all.