GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Exonian on 04 January 2026, 21:44
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It might not have escaped members in the northern hemisphere’s notice that it’s been a tad chilly of late.
I’ve noticed a few times now that when starting the car when it’s cold enough outside to trigger the steering wheel heater to automatically activate, within a few minutes there seems to be a low amount of warmth emanating from the seat also even though I tend to have the seat heaters switched off.
Even on the low heat setting the seats get quite warm pretty quickly when switched on, but as I have cloth seats I very rarely bother using the heated seats.
This secondary heating (via the heated steering wheel low heat setting?) is a very subtle warming and I’m wondering if I’m imagining it.
And no, it’s not festive food related!
Can anyone shed any light/heat on this? Maybe you’ve seen something on another forum or have some technical knowledge.
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No idea but also didn't know the wheel heated up automatically below a certain temperature. I've been heating the seat and wheel quite often recently, loving it! I have noticed a couple of times that the driver/passenger temperatures don't sync until I've been driving for a while.
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On my previous mk8’s the steering wheel came on automatically at around 11°c (one with winter pack and one without) but the 8.5 seems more haphazard as to what temperature it switches itself on.
There’s no doubt a setting in the menu’s on the 8.5 but being as it just seems to work ok I’ve never gone delving in.
Even when it’s set to Sync as default it has its moments. I tend to go back in and reset it from time to time.
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Are you sure you aren't self-warming the seat Exonian :laugh:
I've definitely noticed some subtle differences in the 8.5 compared to the 8. For me, I think the steering wheel doesn't get as "hot" as it did in the MK8. It only seems to get a bit lukewarm in the new car, even when it's at the full setting.
Both my seats and wheel do come on automatically these days though, I am fairly certain that setting to have them come on when temps are low (below 11?) is still there in the menus.
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Hot bot syndrome!
Most of the vehicle’s settings automatically moved from one car to the next which saves fiddling through menus on the dealer forecourt.
And you’re right, the steering wheel gets warm rather than hot in the refreshed model which is a positive.
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The BMW automatically heats seat on setting 1 when temperature is below 4 degrees, though the steering wheel needs activating.