The back of the center console in my 97 wagon has switch knockouts for rear seat heaters. I checked with several dealers and found out the rear seat heating pads are available for around $70, but apparently not the cables, switches or relays on how to hook them up. Was told by one parts person it was only a factory accessory. Am sending the car to Norway and would like to install rear heating pads but can't get any concrete information on them. Is an installation kit available (assuming one doesn't come with the pad), do you have to install a bigger alternator to handle the load? etc. Dick

I've only seen 1 or two V70s with rear seat heaters from Volvo so it was rare in the US. I do know that there's aftermarket places that install seat heaters now because our sales dept has subleted cars out for it. I doubt it'll cause any electrical problems if installed correctly.

John, any ideas how hard it is to install the heated seats for the back? Does it involve taking the seat cushions apart? It'll be pretty nice to have heated seats in the back too on those cold Chicago winters.

As Rich said, it's no easy job for an amateur unless you're very determined and like upholstery work (I don't). Most people wouldn't want it because other than kids (who don't seem to care about heated buns), rear seats are rarely used.

It's the front 2 seats, you and "the Mrs" who need heated seats usually.

to install the heaters in the rear you need to get the heating pads for the seat and back, both sides, the covers have to be removed and the heating pads installed, then there is a wiring harness that has to be put into the center console, along with the switch for operation. I would check for the connectors on the wiring harness that run down the sides of the car before prceeding with the installation. The back seat heater plug into that harness, and are operated from switches on the back of the console. Not an easy thing to do, and very time consuming. How often is the back seat used ? Car seats could break the electricial connections in the heating grids, kids playing in the back could be hard on the heater grids as well.