Air ventilated Seats
#46
From these "ventilated" seat threads I get the impression that people feel the seats should act just like the dash vents which isn't really possible. When you are sitting in the seat you are restricting air flow just like you would if you completely blocked the dash vents. How much pressure would be required to force air between you and the seat? It would be different for different drivers. It is my understanding that the seats are "cooled" which definitely helps in the hot climate in the south. With the setting set to max the seats in my car are definitely cooler than if they are not on. If I lean ever so slightly forward, I can feel the air coming from the seat. If I am wearing my suit coat jacket between my shirt and the seat I can feel it all the time. I just don't think it is meant to substitute for a main HVAC vent.
#47
atoyota,
A very rational post!
I live in TX and never have to worry about my back being being damp from the heat. The ES cooled seats perform as advertised.
Lean forward with the setting on high and you'll hear the seats at work.
Those that do the most *****ing obviously didn't spend much time exploring the car before they bought it.
John
A very rational post!
I live in TX and never have to worry about my back being being damp from the heat. The ES cooled seats perform as advertised.
Lean forward with the setting on high and you'll hear the seats at work.
Those that do the most *****ing obviously didn't spend much time exploring the car before they bought it.
John
#48
atoyota,
A very rational post!
I live in TX and never have to worry about my back being being damp from the heat. The ES cooled seats perform as advertised.
Lean forward with the setting on high and you'll hear the seats at work.
Those that do the most *****ing obviously didn't spend much time exploring the car before they bought it.
John
A very rational post!
I live in TX and never have to worry about my back being being damp from the heat. The ES cooled seats perform as advertised.
Lean forward with the setting on high and you'll hear the seats at work.
Those that do the most *****ing obviously didn't spend much time exploring the car before they bought it.
John
#49
How ventilated seats work, just wanted to clarify I know how ventilated seats work.
* Ventilated Seats or seat ventilation is a feature that is built into the seats and it directs air through the seat unto the occupant for increased comfort especially on long journeys.
* Ventilated seats function via several small fans in the seat cushion and backrest. The fans draw air from inside the cabin and into the seat. The air is then goes through plastic ducts, an air permeable fabric and distributes it evenly throughout the seat via perforations in the leather.
* There are vehicles that offer several fan speeds in their seat ventilation (usually two or three). When switched on they begin on the highest speed and may automatically reduce the fan speed after a pre-determined time set by the manufacturer.
* The fans start on the highest speed because it is presumed that is when ventilation will be needed the most, at the beginning. You can always select your preferred fan speed at any time.
* Ventilated Seats or seat ventilation is a feature that is built into the seats and it directs air through the seat unto the occupant for increased comfort especially on long journeys.
* Ventilated seats function via several small fans in the seat cushion and backrest. The fans draw air from inside the cabin and into the seat. The air is then goes through plastic ducts, an air permeable fabric and distributes it evenly throughout the seat via perforations in the leather.
* There are vehicles that offer several fan speeds in their seat ventilation (usually two or three). When switched on they begin on the highest speed and may automatically reduce the fan speed after a pre-determined time set by the manufacturer.
* The fans start on the highest speed because it is presumed that is when ventilation will be needed the most, at the beginning. You can always select your preferred fan speed at any time.
#51
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: TX
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Idlefree, I'm with you in feeling the bottom seat ventilation isn't very effective when I'm sitting in it- at least relative to competition. I test drove the Kia cadenza, dodge ram limited and Lincoln mkz and when sitting on those it felt like my bottom was cooled. It felt great. They were forceful and cool. I didn't pay too much attention to the Lexus' ventilated seats because I thought they would be the same. I just made sure that box was checked. But now that I have it, I feel they are clearly the worst ventilated seats on the market. The only value I see in them would be to cool the seat in a remote-start scenario before I enter the car, but I don't have remote start.
#52
My experience is that they do what they are supposed to do. I live in South Florida where daily temperatures are in the low to mid 90s daily during the summer and the ventilation has always worked effectively in spite of minimal air flow.
#53
Lexus Champion
I had them on two ES350's and was satisfied with the performance. While they couldn't be called cold or even cool, the ventilation does its job and IMO is more comfortable than not having them.
#54
Lead Lap
Obviously there are numerous opinions as to the effectiveness of the Lexus cooled seats. Some are satisfied, some are not; some like the seats, some hate them. This being said, I believe that Lexus should engineer a change so that the cooling effect is very apparent on the top and bottom. According to some members of this forum, there are various manufacturers that got it right the first time.
#55
I have been following this discussion since the start. The dissatisfaction/complaint has been with the airflow, not the performance. There is definitely enough air flow to get the job done.
Last edited by ElliotB; 09-17-13 at 03:08 PM.
#56
Lexus Champion
The ventilated seats in the ES have been operating about the same for 7 model years now. There are threads on the subject on the '07-'12 forum. Maybe Lexus will update/improve the system one of these model years, but after this long it seems unlikely.
#57
I'm amazed this has been going on for 7 model years, and it hasn't been fixed.has anyone here ever complaint to Lexus corporation? I have contacted Lexus and they have indicated no one has ever complaint to them.
#58
That's because it is working as designed. It isn't an equipment failure. The ML audio issue isn't even the same. In that case there were some cars that had faulty amps. Lexus replaced the amp. It's one thing to suggest Lexus should improve a feature, but another to get up in arms and seek protections under lemon laws and such when you didn't test it to see if it met your needs before buying the car. You may find it inadequate, but you didn't test it before you bought it, or at least test it adequately. They aren't going to retrofit any seats or replace anything because nothing is broken. It's that simple. It's odd that people tested all the other cars mentioned but didn't test the ES before buying it. If people want to buy Kias or Buicks or Dodges or whatever other cars they tested after testing the ES and deciding to go with another non luxury brand because of ventilated seats, maybe Lexus will redesign when their sales drop off. If you want to spend another 10 - 25K on a GS or LS, you have that option too.
Last edited by atoyota; 09-18-13 at 07:51 PM.
#59
Lexus Champion
That's because it is working as designed. It isn't an equipment failure. The ML audio issue isn't even the same. In that case there were some cars that had faulty amps. Lexus replaced the amp. It's one thing to suggest Lexus should improve a feature, but another to get up in arms and seek protections under lemon laws and such when you didn't test it to see if it met your needs before buying the car. You may find it inadequate, but you didn't test it before you bought it, or at least test it adequately. They aren't going to retrofit any seats or replace anything because nothing is broken. It's that simple. It's odd that people tested all the other cars mentioned but didn't test the ES before buying it. If people want to buy Kias or Buicks or Dodges or whatever other cars they tested after testing the ES and deciding to go with another non luxury brand because of ventilated seats, maybe Lexus will redesign when their sales drop off. If you want to spend another 10 - 25K on a GS or LS, you have that option too.
#60
That's because it is working as designed. It isn't an equipment failure. The ML audio issue isn't even the same. In that case there were some cars that had faulty amps. Lexus replaced the amp. It's one thing to suggest Lexus should improve a feature, but another to get up in arms and seek protections under lemon laws and such when you didn't test it to see if it met your needs before buying the car. You may find it inadequate, but you didn't test it before you bought it, or at least test it adequately. They aren't going to retrofit any seats or replace anything because nothing is broken. It's that simple. It's odd that people tested all the other cars mentioned but didn't test the ES before buying it. If people want to buy Kias or Buicks or Dodges or whatever other cars they tested after testing the ES and deciding to go with another non luxury brand because of ventilated seats, maybe Lexus will redesign when their sales drop off. If you want to spend another 10 - 25K on a GS or LS, you have that option too.
Well said, but you should get the facts defore you get writing so much. I did take Lexus to lemon law for the ML system and won. During the meeting with Lexus it was said this has been an issue for years and look it is resolved. Durning that meeting it was indicated it was the type of music that caused the issue " music with base" so before you get on your high horse" all the 2013 ES have the same amp and Lexus will replace only the ones customer complain, as not everyone listen to music with lots of base.
We are human and like to compare things this is why so many choices are available to us. Now you common on testing the seats while test driving, like that in the first thing on my mine, nope..... First is how well it runs, how quick, comfort, oh crap the test drive is over......
Maybe you shouldn't be putting people down because something wasn't look at the time or thing went very quickly, or excited of getting a new VEHICLE. I am sure you have purchased something and thought CRAP......
I am glad your fully satisfied.....but others may not so give them a chance to talk about it before you decide to go down their throats.
Last time I check this is a free country and if we choose to compare to other car manufactors our choice, if you do not like it skip to another thread or don't read it .
To your state if I wanted to spend another 10 to 25 k buy the gs or LS, see choices..... but I choose the ES 300h and now I have an issue and trying to resolve it. What a concept atoyota you have a problem or concern and you try to fix it you should try it some time. LOL
Last edited by Idlefree; 09-19-13 at 03:51 AM.