DUMSI

The leather seats on my 2011 IS250 with 14000 miles have this wear and cracking (pics attached). This is on the left side of the driver seat. Is this something covered by the factory warranty? It does not look like a normal wear and tear to me.

Please share your thoughts.

Boy1109

iTrader: (1)

Normal wear and tear, just needs some cleaning and leather conditioning and you should be good.

nosurprise

iTrader: (1)

maybe the guy is little fatter than normal. Seriously, that looks quite a bit worst than mine, and my car is from 2008 with 50K miles. So, I say not normal.

darkdream

Looks like lack of conditioning, which is causing cracking and shedding.

Boy1109

iTrader: (1)

Cream interior is so hard to maintain, my friend has this interior and the dye from his jeans pretty much ruined his seat.

DUMSI

Well, Lexus claims that their leather does not need any special conditioning. The manual does not have a recommended care for leather either. So, in 2 years with less than average miles per year driving, how can this be considered normal? And if it is because of lack of conditioning, how come other parts of the same driver seat looks perfectly okay?

And the part of the seat (2nd 2 pics) does not even come in contact with any part of the body while seated. how does it even wear without any physical contact?

And I am not fat.

Boy1109

iTrader: (1)

I'm sorry that Lexus lied to you but everything needs maintenance and that true facts

DUMSI

Well, you may want to read this then.

http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdriver...Lexus-Interior

This comes from the official Lexus website and clear states "The high-quality materials in your Lexus are designed to provide years of trouble-free service, and do not require any kind of specialty treatments or conditioning to keep them looking and feeling their best.".
So, I don't believe, the above shown condition of the leather is because of lack of conditioning. If it is, then either way, Lexus is wrong.

Fizzboy7

I've never heard of a car leather that didn't require some sort of maintenance or treatment. I'd override what the manual says and clean it with a damp cloth, then treat it. Lexus makes their own conditioner (which I guess is ironic considering your link). Works good on my seats.

DUMSI

Thanks! But will both the conditions be restored by conditioning? or should i take it to the dealer?

my1s250

iTrader: (1)

its normal if you look at every car its worn at the same point

Boy1109

iTrader: (1)

Here you go bro, how ironic right?

http://is.sewellparts.com/accessorie...2012/1952.html

tex2670

Lack of conditioning with only 14,000 miles? I was able to get a Honda leather seat bottom replaced under warranty a few years ago with similar cracking. They tried to argue normal wear, but I told them I conditioned it regularly with Lexol, and the same thing had happened to my Acura. They took care of it.

I'd press the issue with your dealer.

scott1256c

Does it sit in the sun a lot?
The cracking surprises me a little (first pic). The color may be reversible with conditioning.
I used something called "Prestine Clean" (no, I didn't misspell it) by leatherique. It is pricier than many but not that bad, and will condition leathers that are "treated". I think you'll find you pull a lot more grime off of those seats than you think. I just rubbed mine in by hand, then let sit a few minutes and wiped clean. Then run your hand over the leather. That feeling is why you wanted leather in the first place. . Leatherique also makes a more expensive product, but IIRC it is intended to be wrapped, then sit overnight.
Prestine Clean also has UV protectants in it. ... I sound like a salesman ... worked for me anyway.

Thought I'd add this.
When I was checking in to UV protectants for leather (which is really what I was after), I found that many of the protectants just won't stay on "treated" leather seats. It just wipes off pretty easily, or comes off on you pants. Prestine Clean isn't supposed to do that. There are others that are supposed to be effective on treated leather, but these people seemed to know leather and a local shop had it at a pretty good price.

510to808

Clean and condition!!!