First Rowlink
Last updated: January 06, 2025
Overviewlink
Cybertruck has a standard five-person seating capacity with a driver and passenger seat in the front row. A three-passenger bench seat is mounted to the rear wall with a fold-up seat cushion. All seats are designed, engineered, and manufactured by Tesla.
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| First Row Seats |
Serviceabilitylink
Cybertruck seat at start of production (SOP) is non-serviceable as the seat is equipped with an Occupant Classification System (OCS) that cannot be calibrated in the field. It is possible to calibrate the Cybertruck front seat motors. This seat calibration routine runs each of the individual motors into their end stops. This calibrates the seat into knowing where the seat is throughout the duration of travel.
Cybertruck driver seat is serviceable as it does not have an OCS but utilizes interior cabin radar for occupancy detection. Like passenger seat, the driver front seat can also be calibrated for all the motors.
The first step in diagnosis should be to run the self-test routines provided in toolbox. These routines check for communication to every motor as well as the seat heater. If one of these tests fail, it can point towards soft set connectors or failed component.
Coverslink
Component Descriptionlink
Cybertruck seats are available in black. The vehicle utilizes a mix of Polyurethane (PUR) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). These materials are a leather alternative.
Theory of Operationlink
Cybertruck first row seat covers are secured to the foam with hook-and-loop fastening strips, which helps create the different panels on both the seat cushion and seat back. Then, sandwiching the foam, the cover is attached to the frame with various j-clips that are pulled taught on the frame to maintain the seat shape. There is also stitch detailing within the seat to help form the shape around the foam. A piping surrounds the outer bolsters for a performance feel.
The center panels of the seat covers are made of PUR and have perforation in order to feel ventilation coming through the seats.
The bolsters are made of PVC and do not have any perforation as this area is not intended to be ventilated.
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| The seat cover attaches to the frame on the outer edges and attaches to the foam at the trench located in the center of the cushion. |
| First Row Seat Cushion Cover |
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| The seat cover attaches to the frame on the outer edges and attaches to the foam on the middle panel trench. This helps shape the outer bolsters. There are also hidden zippers that secure the cover around the foam and frame. The rear of the seatback include a map pocket. |
| First Row Seat Back Cover |
Serviceabilitylink
Cleaninglink
Cleaning PUR seats with some conventional cleaners (especially alcohol-based) can cause performance and appearance degradation. Do NOT use products containing bleach (sodium hypochlorite). It is therefore important to clean seats with only approved cleaners. Below is a list of approved cleaners:
- Clorox NON-Bleach Disinfecting Wipes
- Formula 409
- Seventh Generation NON-Bleach Disinfecting Wipes
Hog rings must be installed using hog ring pliers to crimp the ring in order to securely fasten it the cover to the foam.
Hog rings are a consumable part, as with every removal, they need to be cut.
Craftsmanship is extremely important when dealing with installing covers to ensure that there are no wrinkles or puckers in the material.
Foam/Padlink
Component Descriptionlink
The seat foam, also referred to as the seat pad, provides comfort and stability to occupants. This foam has large holes in it in order to pull air through for seat ventilation. There are various manufacturing markings in the foam in order to properly align the trim cover to the foam during install. There are trenches in the foam that create the panels of the seat and allows for the hoop/loop or hog ring attachments.
Serviceabilitylink
If the seat foam and covers have not been installed appropriately it can feel or look as if the seat is missing foam or that the foam has collapsed. Because the foam is sandwiched between the cover and upholstery support, it is possible that it could have been misaligned during install. In some rare cases, the way in which a customer ingresses or egresses from the vehicle can apply pressure on the out most edge of the cover and foam, causing the foam to get caught on the frame and not maintain its full shape. This can be resolved by refitting the cover and foam.
Seat Heatlink
Component Descriptionlink
Cybertruck first row has heating elements in both the seat cushion and seat back of the driver and passenger seats.
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| 1. Backrest seat heater mat 2. Seat cushion heater mat |
| First Row Seat Heat |
The seat heater is made up of the following components:
- High side driver
- Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
- Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors
- Resistive pad
The heating element, or resistive pad, is located only in the center panels of the seat back and seat cushion; the heating element is not located in the side bolsters.
Auto Seat Heatlink
Auto Seat Heat is a feature where the first-row seat heaters will turn on as the vehicle reaches the desired set temperature. Auto Seat Heat only runs if Auto HVAC and Auto Seat Heat mode are enabled. These features are chosen via the UI. Auto Seat Heat is only for the first-row seats and does not enable the rear seat heaters. The intensity of the seat heat is based off several temperatures that from vehicle sensors as well as estimated values. Auto Seat Heat will run if the following temperature conditions are true:
- Ambient Temperature is below 20C
- Cabin Interior Temperature (estimated value) is below 25C
- Cabin Temperature Interior Sunny is below 35C
Helpful signals to monitor these temperatures:
- VCFRONT_tempAmbientFiltered
- VCRIGHT_cabinTempInterior
The intent of these various temperature parameters is to not run the seat heater when the vehicle is already warm. The intensity of the seat heater duty cycle is a function of the cabin environment. It will start off at the maximum duty cycle and slowly come down. The relative intensity is based off the chosen set temperature of the user. The golden set temperature that this feature is modeled after is 22C within the cabin.
If there are any issues with the THS Sensor, cabin temperature probe sensor, or the ambient temperature sensor, the vehicle cannot utilize Auto Seat Heat mode. These sensors initialize the cabin temperature model to get an understanding of the cabin environment. The first-row passenger seat will only enable the seat heater if there is a passenger detected in that seat.
Theory of Operationlink
There are 3 heating temperature targets for the seats (low, medium, and high). Target temperatures as read by the NTC in the cushion for both the cushion and the backrest are:
- Low (Setting 1): 28C or 82F
- Medium (Setting 2): 44C or 111F
- High (Setting 3): 60C or 140F
Be mindful that the temperatures read by the NTC will differ than the temperature on the surface of the trim. The seat heaters utilize PWM at 1Hz in order to reach the desired target temperature. This means pulsing the voltage at a controlled frequency. The duty cycle (width of the pulses) will be increased if the temperature read by the NTC is below the target temperature, the duty cycle can be increased all the way up to 100%, providing up to 48V. When the temperature read by the NTC is higher than the target temperature, the duty cycle can be decreased all the way to 0% providing no voltage. Due to this PWM, the voltage at the seat heater is constantly changing and varies due to ambient temperature and heat setting level.
Current travels through the resistive pad generating the heat. This resistance remains constant with a functioning seat heater.
The NTC is located only in the seat cushion, not the seat back. It is connected to 3V through a resistor on the body controller. As the temperature of the seat increases, the resistance on the NTC lowers, and the voltage read at the controller goes down. If the thermistor is disconnected, the voltmeter will read 3V or 0V depending on where the disconnect occurs. At around room temperature, the voltage at the NTC should be around 3.6V.
Communicationlink
The seat heater communicates via Vehicle bus (VEH). The driver seat communicates to the left vehicle controller (VCLEFT) and the passenger seat communicates to the right vehicle controller (VCRIGHT).
Serviceabilitylink
The seat heater resistive pad is adhered to the seat foam and is therefore not serviceable without replacing the entire seat cover.
The temperature felt at the surface of the seat depends on an occupant sitting in the seat. Compressing the foam and trim with an occupant sitting in the seat allows for the occupant to fully feel the temperature provided by the seat. Factors such as a heat-soaked interior, body heat from someone sitting in the seat, direct sunlight, and ambient air temperatures can play a big role on the temperature readings at the surface of the seat cover.
Seat Ventilationlink
Component Descriptionlink
Cybertruck first row seats are equipped with seat ventilation in both the seat cushion and seat back. Cybertruck first row has heating elements in both the seat cushion and seat back of the driver and passenger seats.
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| 1. Backrest fan and ducting 2. Seat cushion fan and ducting |
| First Row Seat Ventilation |
The seat ventilation is made up of the following components:
- Perforated seat cover PUR
- Reinforcement mesh
- Spacer mesh
- Holes within the seat heater and OCS sensor to matchup with the holes in the foam
- Foam
- Plastic duct that is integrated into the foam
- Fan
For long range seat covers, the perforation only exists on the center panel. For performance seat covers, the perforation is also on the inner bolsters.
Theory of Operationlink
Seat ventilation can be activated via the UI.
There are 3 levels of cooling. The seat cover is perforated to allow air flow at the cover A surface. Beneath the seat cover is the reinforcement mesh; this mesh is to prevent the perforated cover from cracking and tearing. There is then a spacer mesh, which allows airflow tangentially underneath the occupant. Below the spacer mesh is the heater pad and OCS sensor. There are holes within the seat heater and OCS sensor that match up with the foam below them to allow for airflow. On the B side of the foam, there is a channel through the center which a plastic adapter then mates the ventilation fan, completing the path of airflow.
The fan is a suction fan and draws air through the A surface of the seat cover because the air is being pulled instead of pushed, there is no need to chill the air. The fan has 3 wires, for voltage, ground and PWM signal. The PWM signals allows for the chosen duty cycle to set the cooling to one of the three options. The fan operates at 16V.
The seat fan communicates with either VCLEFT or VCRIGHT.
Serviceabilitylink
Similar to seat heat, the temperature of the A surface of the seat cover is dependent upon the seat being compressed by an occupant's weight.
The biggest points of failure would be the fan itself as well as the seal between the membrane and the fan. The membrane is not a serviceable component as it is integrated into the foam. If for some reason the customer is complaining of poor performing ventilation, check the function of the fan and the seal between the fan and the membrane. If the fan is functioning and the seal seems well placed, the membrane will need to be serviced by replacing the foam.
Configs: frontSeatVentilationEnabled
Framelink
Component Descriptionlink
The front seat structure is comprised of two main assemblies, the cushion assembly and the backrest assembly, which are each built separately then assembled to form the full structure. Each assembly has a metal frame, electronics and harness, foam cushion, restraint components, and trim covers. The front seat frame is made out of laser welded steel alloy metal. The seat cushion frame has a cushion spring to add non-rigid support.
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| Front Seat Assembly, Frame |
Serviceabilitylink
The frame is typically the source of any rocking issues that can occur. During diagnosis, the joints for height movements, track ball bearings or recliner joints are usually place in which rocking can originate from. The cushion spring can cause certain noise concerns if not properly seated on the cushion frame.
Trim/Plasticslink
Component Descriptionlink
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| 1. Buckle 2. Pretensioner |
| Safety Seat Components |
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| 1. Seat cushion button 2. Recliner button 3. Lumbar button 4. Track cover |
| Outboard Seat Plastics |
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| The seat sits on a left and right riser that is joined by a cross member. On this cross member there is a puddle lamp. These risers secure the seat to the battery. |
| Risers and Platter |
Motorslink
Component Descriptionlink
The front seats have the ability to move on four axes:
- Track: forwards and backwards, moves the seat closer or further away from the steering wheel.
- Height: up and down, this allows the height of the seat to be taller or shorter.
- Tilt: up and down, this allows the front pan of the seat cushion to be taller or shorter.
- Recliner: forwards or backwards, moves the back rest around the pivot point of the seat.
Each front seat includes an 8-way, plus lumbar, control switch pack which is used to control the different seat adjustment functionalities. The seat heaters for all seats are activated from the center display.
| Action | Button Combo | Resistance (Ohm) | Pin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up | H | 886 | 1 |
| Down | G | 597 | 1 |
| Forward | F | 1011 | 2 |
| Reverse | E | 676 | 2 |
| Tilt Up | D | 499 | 1 |
| Tilt Down | C | 429 | 1 |
| Backrest Forward | B | 1179 | 2 |
| Backrest Reverse | A | 774 | 2 |
| Lumbar Up | M | 1012 | 3 |
| Lumbar Down | K | 677 | 3 |
| Lumbar Out | J | 774 | 3 |
| Lumbar In | L | 1179 | 3 |
Theory of Operationlink
First row seats have a total of four electric 12V DC brushed motors that control the different seat adjustment functionalities. This includes track, lift, tilt, and recline adjustments.
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| 1. Recliner motor 2. Tilt motor 3. Height motor 4. Track Motor |
| Motor locations, first row |
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| 1. Track, tilt and height control 2. Recliner control 3. Lumbar control |
| Motor controls |
| Motor | Seat Travel | Encoder Counts per entire range | Travel Time (s) | Nominal Current (A) | Stall Current (A) | Inrush (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track | 260mm | 1242 | 16 | 3 | 12 | 8 |
| Height | 60mm | 2060 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 10 |
| Tilt | ± 3 degrees | 551 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 7 |
| Backrest | ± 20/40 degrees | 2455 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 6 |
Communicationlink
The power functions of the seats are controlled by the seat controllers. The left front seat is controlled by VCSEATD and the right front seat is controlled by VCSEATP.
Lumbar Support Systemlink
Component Descriptionlink
The Cybertruck seat lumbar system is a pneumatic 2-bladder, 4-way power system. It consists of an air pump, a valve pack, two air bladders and a lumbar flex mat.
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| 1. Bladder 1 2. Bladder 2 3. Pump 4. Foam Pump Bag 5. Valve Pack |
| Lumbar Support System |
Theory of Operationlink
The lumbar control unit is controlled via Local Interconnect Network (LIN) communication by the corresponding left or right body controller. Depending on the user command via the 4-way lumbar control button on the seat, the control unit will pump or deflate the corresponding air bladders to provide the desired lumbar support. The body controller constantly monitors the pressure in each bladder using the pressure sensors in the valve control unit to keep the pressure within specified limits. There is also a blow-off valve for each bladder to release excess air once max pressure is reached.
The lumbar 4-way control button has the controls:
- Up = Inflate (B1), Deflate (B2)
- Down = Inflate (B2), Deflate (B1)
- Right = Deflate (B1)+(B2)
- Left = Inflate (B1)+(B2)
The following movements are a result of pressing two functions together. The switch below the circular button has 4 different switches so pressing two together result in the following:
- Up+Right = Deflate (B2)
- Up+Left = Inflate (B1)
- Down+Left = Inflate (B2)
- Down+Right = Deflate (B1)
Serviceabilitylink
The body controller monitors pressure change during operation to identify a possible leak in the system. If the bladder has a leak or cannot maintain pressure, this could result in failure to calibrate.
Microphonelink
Component Descriptionlink
There is a microphone assembly located on the left- and right-hand sides of each of the headrests in the first row. The microphones are joined together with a pigtail and then connect to the seat harness.
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| Microphone |
Theory of Operationlink
The seat microphones do NOT communicate on VCSEATD or VCSEATP, instead they communicate directly to the car computer. The user can select noise cancellation in either the first or second row. The noise cancellation works by utilizing the door speakers in conjunction with the microphones.
Driver Profilelink
Feature Descriptionlink
The Cybertruck has the ability to save the preferred seating position of the driver. When the driver's seat, steering wheel or driver's side mirror is adjusted, the touchscreen will prompt the customer to create a driver profile to save these adjustments. The driver's profile can utilize the "Use Easy Entry" checkbox if the customer would like the steering wheel and seat to adjust when the park gear is engaged and the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, allowing an easy exit from the vehicle. When returning to the vehicle and stepping on the brake pedal, settings automatically adjust back to the setting used by the most recent driver profile. Cybertruck supports up to 10 driver profiles. The driver profile can be linked to keys, including authenticated phones, key cards and up to 4 key fobs.
Theory of Operationlink
Cybertruck Driver's profile is recalled from the UI. When a customer saves a driver's profile it is associated with an index. The UI then saves the orientation of the various motors in mm and degrees. There is then an app layer on VCLEFT which performs inverse kinematics that translates the millimeter and degrees into encoder counts on the motor.