robtwo

I bought this car mid-summer, and on shorter drives never have any back problems. 2011 is250 awd, now 55k on the clock.

However we have started making longer trips, 3-4 hours each way 2-3 times/month now for family reasons. Part way through, around 2 hours my lower back starts to burn. No amount of stretching resolves it. I've played with the seat settings and it feels just as good as my other cars for a while.

I am in good shape, not over weight and in neither my Acura or dodge do I have these types of problems. I feel the seats are similarly setup. Anyone else have this problem?

Thoughts?

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

Try one of those higher end portable back massagers that plug into the cigarette outlet.

355F1

I drive 30k miles a year for work in my IS. After years of INTENSE (some days it was a 10/10) lower back/hip flexor pain and 3 bouts with sciatica that left me unable to walk for 1-3 days I finally found the solution.

Get a regular-sized bath towel that is NOT one of those super-thick ones.

Hold it straight up with the long end running up and down. Fold it halfway top to bottom....then halfway again the same way....then fold that length-wise into thirds. Place this on the seat cushion towards the back...sit on it. It will be about 12 inches wide and 7" long.

I did this on recommendation of a back surgeon (I was almost at the point of having to have surgery the pain was so intense for so many years) in Jan 2013. SInce Jan 2013 I have had ZERO sciatica issues....and my back pain stays constantly around a 1-2 now.

I realize it sounds absurd....but it literally changed my life.

If you need a photo or anything let me know.

The problem is that sport seats are angled on a large downslope backwards....and that causes a very large abnormal load on the lower back.

I'm 36, play tennis, 5'11 and 170lbs...so I'm not overweight or anything.

Hope it helps you....

robtwo

I would love a picture thank you!

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Perhaps a seat-swap would be a good idea? A thread recently posted about a member installing 2013 GS 350 F-sport seats into his 2IS.

robtwo

How does one do that for cheap? Anything costly and I sell this car.

I've had sports cars before that didn't cause this problem. Maybe it's age?

jtsimaras

I would have to agree that I'm having similar issues with my IS the seats are just not that comfy for me. My last cars were S2000 and WRX STI and they were super comfy. My wife has a Mazda CX5 with leather seats and they are so much more comfortable than my IS seats. I think I prefer harder seats which is the case with the mentioned cars - S2000, CX5 and WRX STI. Oh well not enough reason for me to sell my IS. I'm athletic 5'-8" 150 pounds for info.

06350F

iTrader: (4)

Agree competly, personally I think that if they had more bolstering on the sides they'd be more comfortable. It's a sad day that a dodge srt has better seats then a lexus.

robtwo

It might help but I think the entire design of the seat might be lacking. My MDX, TL, And RL seats all feel/felt better, while having mixed levels of bolstering. Heck my MDX seats even feel sportier.

I've had an S2k which had very sporty seats and 10+ hours were without problem.

The dodge is a lot more car and the seats impressive, along with a lot else.

Maybe it comes down to the fact I bought a luxury Corolla?

We have a big road trip over Christmas so hopefully I get the towel thing straighten out.

The car has only dropped a few grand since I bought it....

jamisteven

Yikes, hoping my soon to be bought IS350 isnt like this, coming from Audi and Subaru I have really enjoyed my seats on long commutes. Are Lexus' seats made by Recaro? Maybe the gs350-f seats are the solution to this problem..

laobo979

iTrader: (5)

I don't know but I had mine for 6yrs and I take long trip here and there. No issues on my back I'm 5'5 140 slim frame lol.

darkdream

Maybe you have poor posture and/or a weak back. I use to have back pain when I first for my IS350 8 years ago on long trips, but went away after I started exercising (dead-lifting and squatting heavy). For reference I am 5 foot 9 and I use to be 130 pounds and I am now 185+ pounds with under 9 percent bodyfat).

355F1

Just a folded up towel....

I look forward to hearing your results.


(SOrry the stupid pic is sideways; I'm not going to try and figure out how to correct it.)

itttiramer

It's a sad day that a dodge srt has better seats then a lexus.[img]**************/40Fxbu[/img]

jtsimaras

I find reclining back like I'm in a lazy-boy works....just get sleepy after a while