Heating device for motor vehicles, seat heater and steering wheel heater with such a heating device and method for controlling the temperature of a heating device for motor vehicles

The invention relates to a heating device for motor vehicles with at least one heating conductor forming an electrical resistance heating, which has a defined temperature coefficient, with a control device assigned to this resistance heating and with a temperature sensor, as well as a method for controlling the temperature of such a resistance heating. The control device is arranged remotely from the resistance heating outside its heating area and has an auxiliary resistor which is subjected to a voltage or through which a current flows that is proportional to the voltage applied to the resistance heating or the current flowing through the resistance heating. The temperature sensor is arranged within the control device such that it is thermally coupled to the auxiliary resistor. The heating device and method are particularly suitable for use in vehicle seats or vehicle steering wheels.