# Crotch Vent? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 9, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223 "2001-10-09T00:58:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![oceans\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@oceans\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oceans_11)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/1 "2001-10-09T00:58:44Z")
I purchased a '98 Isuzu Rodeo back in February. It’s a great vehicle, got a good price on it (bought online), and was in near perfect shape when delivered. About a month ago, I discovered an “option” that I’ve never seen before, in any car I’ve ever driven: at the base of the steering column, aimed directly at my crotch, was a little vent. It’s not just an opening, or misplaced hose- it’s an actual little vent that can be adjusted, even closed. And it’s aiming right between my legs. Not that I mind. Actually, with the AC on, it’s kind of …refreshing. But it’s just something I’ve never even heard of before (none of my friends or family have heard of a “crotch vent” either). Is this something that’s common to many cars, or just to Isuzu Rodeos (or just to mine?)? Do you suppose this was engineered on purpose ("… y’know, someone really ought to design a crotch vent for cars, something that can really keep you fresh on those long drives…") Has anyone else here experienced this special feature?? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/2 "2001-10-09T01:21:49Z")
I had a 1975 Buick that had your “crotch vent.” It did its job. I always regretted that it didn’t have just a “little more” blowing power on those long, cross-country drives. If you know what I mean. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/3 "2001-10-09T01:22:26Z")
I’ve never heard of it, but I want one. I get some serious crotch rot on long car trips. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/4 "2001-10-09T01:35:04Z")
This OP sounds a lot like me when I first sat in a car that had Ass-Warmers[sup]TM[/sup]. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/5 "2001-10-09T01:41:59Z")
Cripes! Ass Warmers! I had forgotten about those. My boss drives a Caddy. His idea of showing the world he made it. I drive it down to the P.O. and bank many days. Anyway, one day last winter, I hopped in, started down the road, and after a minute or so, my butt started getting hot! I was actually **scared** that the car was on fire or that something under the car was seriously wrong, causing intense heat to come up from underneath the car. I pulled over to look under the car. Only after a bit did I see a button that indicated the Ass Warmer was on. I never heard of such a thing. Who knew? ---
**Author:** ![oceans\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@oceans\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oceans_11)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/6 "2001-10-09T01:42:26Z")
Hmmm… Ass-Warmers _and_ a Crotch Vent… Now _that_ would be an options package… ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/7 "2001-10-09T01:50:08Z")
You didn’t really say options _package_, did you? ---
**Author:** ![oceans\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@oceans\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oceans_11)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/8 "2001-10-09T01:52:47Z")
Heh! I guess that would be a _Package_ Option… ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/9 "2001-10-09T01:58:28Z")
Just to point out that it’s not just an option on $$$ cars. My 1987 Mazda 323 (base model) has it. Great on hot days tooling^H^H^H^H^H^H^H flying down the freeway. FtG ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/10 "2001-10-09T02:18:14Z")
With a little ‘jury-rigging’ you could convert it into a device that would allow you to cut down on pit stops. Maybe even cool your engine! ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/11 "2001-10-09T02:49:55Z")
I have a 2000 Toyota 4-Runner, have the same option. Used to have a '97 RAV4, had it. My father had a '94 4-Runner, had it. Now he has a 2001 4-Runner, also has it. Maybe its a big thing with Japanese SUVs? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/12 "2001-10-09T04:04:42Z")
This could make for an interesting fragrance in the car. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/13 "2001-10-09T12:14:49Z")
I hate frequent restroom stops. Can you drive in reverse and pee out the vent? ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/14 "2001-10-09T12:31:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samclem \* > \*\* Only after a bit did I see a button that indicated the Ass Warmer was on. \*\* I’m **SCOURING** the new sym codes, trying to find one that would be suitable at this moment. Exactly which icon would indicate that an Ass Warmer is on? Hmmm… This one?----------\> [sym] **b** [/sym] 😃 Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Popup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Popup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Popup)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/15 "2001-10-09T13:01:10Z")
If you would like a well climatized behind, I suggest looking into SAABs. Quoting from a [pro-SAAB site](http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/080498.html). > [@](#): > > Saab first introduced electrically heated seats to the auto industry in 1971. The new Saab 9-5 continues to offer heated seats as an option, both for the front and rear occupants. But, when the weather is hot and sticky, the Saab 9-5’s optional electrically-ventilated seats are there to deliver maximum comfort. There are some big fans in the seats, blowing cool air through small holes in the fabric. I have tried it, and it is indeed nice in hot weather. ---
**Author:** ![oceans\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@oceans\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oceans_11)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/16 "2001-10-09T13:31:09Z")
I’d never heard of Crotch Vents and Ass Warmers; now there’s Ass-Fans!? Will the wonders of technology never cease? Who’da thunk the car companies would be so interested in keeping our nether regions comfortable and ventilated? **lee** , what do you suppose the fragrance would be like with _both_ the Crotch Vent and Ass-Fan on…? ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/17 "2001-10-09T14:06:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samclem \* > **I had a 1975 Buick that had your “crotch vent.” It did its job. I always regretted that it didn’t have just a “little more” blowing power on those long, cross-country drives. If you know what I mean.** You need to get a Toyota MR-2 then. The two that I had both came with _dual_ crotch vents. And not those silly little play vents that don’t do squat, but some serious jet fighter looking nozzles complete with aiming ability. Those were great. You got ‘side by side’ cooling, as it were, coming in low and from two angles. If you were wearing shorts, and you aimed them just right, you could position each one to blow right up and into your shorts, for direct cooling of each… ahh… hmm. You know what I mean. God how I miss that car. ---
**Author:** ![ShouldBeWorking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@ShouldBeWorking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShouldBeWorking)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-vent/86223/18 "2001-10-09T16:36:30Z")
I wonder if there is a way to make those crotch vents “intakes” instead of discharges… Now THAT would be a valuable option.