We have a 3.5 Powershift with black leather seats that are in pretty good condition, however during the recent spell of tropical weather we found that the seats caused excessive perspiration.
Is this just an age related problem or have others found the same problem? I wondered if there is anything that we can do, even up to seat material mod, to relieve us of this problem… the whole reason for buying the MX-5 was to use it on our annual Greece trip next June, but if British summertime causes this problem it bodes ill for the +35C temps that we’ll experience over there! I did consider about having the centre section re-done in dark blue Alcantara to match the Stormy blue paintwork…
More convertibles are sold in England than Greece for a very good reason. Convertibles aren’t a comfortable drive in +35C temps. Most sane people would choose a roof and air con. But if the 5 is your car of choice, then cranking the air con up full and directing it down low will help. As hot air rises, cold air tends to be heavier and will stay inside the car making it more bearable. Cloth seats would also help.
Thanks to all for replying… We do the windows down, aircon on full to lower and feet, but it’s more about perspiration between my back and the seat than hot toes!
I wondered if the Alcantara as a replacement for the centre section of the seat may go some way to alleviate this problem… anyone have experience of this particular material in comparison to the full leather?
I used beaded seat covers (Don’t remember the make) with great effect many years ago in my Pug 205 GTI which didn’t have aircon, so I think the only real solution to the problem is to let air get between you and the seat. The type of seat material can help too, a non-porous material like leather is from my experience a no-no (For me it was like sitting in a bath), alcantara which has a pile and cloth which has a weave do have some “wicking” effect. Also remember if you have the hood down with the sun shining on leather seats you could stick and get badly burned!
Would not get alcantara seat trim is you are a heavy sweater, has this trim stains very easily something that allow air between you and the seat is a good option there are a number of things on eBay and geek which will help
You can get a good spay for your back to reduce the sweating I use ODABAN it work really well
My other car doesn’t have a full hood. It has what is known as a “Bimini” top. It’s basically just a square roof panel with no sides or rear window. It keeps the sun off the occupants and the car interior. It helps a huge amount with regard to comfort (and it also keeps the rain off).
Some hoods have the facility to drop the rear window (aeons ago, my Triumph Spitfire had one where the rear screen unzipped on three sides). If you wound down both windows you got more or less a Bimini top effect.
Another thing you can do is to fit a sheepskin cover over the backrest of the seat. Sounds like it should make you even hotter, but it doesn’t because air can circulate through it.