Oxytocin

My seats are warm I think, I usually start at 2, let it switch to 1 and I'm adequately warm. If you guys are still cold maybe turn on the heater as well? But I'm a smaller build than most of you, I'm not 6' so maybe I need less heat?

100 post milestone!

dbs600

Anyone with an IS with leather and an IR thermometer?

Would be interesting to see the results...

So cold in NY now!

corradoMR2

These seats are toasty hot, the way I would expect them to be in a car. Ran the same test as with the RX and IS: driver's (seated on) is at 43.5 C, passenger (unseated) at 32.8 C.

Got this '13 ES as a loaner while they check the seats on my IS today. Will report on the findings later tonight.

corradoMR2

So as expected, they agreed the heaters are barely warm and mostly unusable. However, the expected response from the service technician is "it's as designed". The nice thing is (which is what I expected for this visit) is they have opened an FPR to report the issue to Toyota.

For those who feel this is an issue, I strongly encourage you to report this to your Lexus dealer and have them open an FPR. The more cases reported, the higher in priority and the quicker technical resources at corporate are assigned to the issue for resolution.

In Canada, here's the process followed: http://media.toyota.ca/pr/tci/en/doc...on_EDER_EN.pdf

corradoMR2

Haha I'm a home DIY'er as well so all the tools originated from there - that definitely helps with the car mods.


I agree, you tend to wonder how the heating output was signed off as acceptable during the development stage... Well, in the grand scheme of things, it's not a major issue for me since they got the core of the car so right regarding comfort, performance, and styling.

Yeah, my service rep will keep me informed though it can be weeks before an update. I'll followup sometime in early January if I haven't heard back by then.

Glad you'll have the dealer record this issue on your next visit since we'll get Lexus' attention in numbers.

JDR76

Checked mine out today. They are plenty warm for me. 350 AWD non-F Sport.

Ambient temperature: 55F (13C)
Climate Setting: Auto, 68F (20C)

Seat heat on high, sat in for about 10 minutes, with a result around 97F (36C).


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4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

you dont want them too hot, people have sued claiming burns

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?id=9105727

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...burns/1842845/

corradoMR2

Thanks for the measurement. That's about 4 C more than the F-Sport seats which makes a difference taking it from "luke warm" to "plenty warm". The RX seats are in the "plenty warm" range as well, and the ES is in the "toasty hot" range.

Agreed, but the F-Sport seats really are too weak and virtually useless. At best, the best way I can describe it is it helps retain your body heat, but not add to the warmth like all the other seat warmers I've ever had (I had several cars). The non-F-Sport seats have a good temp and would be acceptable to me.

dbs600

Thanks everyone; appreciate the help from all, bringing this together, information-wise.

Now we have to hope for a solution before winter's end, which may be unlikely, but should get the ball rolling, regardless...

alexlude

I have Fsport seats and mine get really warm within a couple minutes... today was around 44 degrees around 5p and they warmed up really nice..

bstriks

Neither the seats in my F-sport nor the seats in my wife's 2013 RX get very warm. She came out of a Mercedes and me fm a BMW, both of which would cook your buns and back after 10 mins. Set at highest setting, they get luke-warm at best. I test drove a non-F-sport on a cold day and those seats seems to get slightly warmer.

Appleman

I think if you are from California you shouldn't be allowed to comment in this thread. j/k

If you have temps like this, you will see how useless the heated seats are. Old model wasn't like this, it worked great.

iamthafeez

F-Sport Nuluxe seats here. Can confirm, seat warmers suck.

KumaF

Personally I think the heated seats in the 3IS is just fine. I came from a BMW, the seats in which starts to toast my bum and lower back within 5 minutes and then I have to manually turn it off or lower it down. In the 3IS, however, the heater is a bit slow to start, but it does its job to keeps me warm in a subtle way and I didn't feel it lacking.

CtSFox

Maybe you and I have a need for less heat! I also found I was always turning down/off the heated seats on my BMW. I found the heaters just fine today (15-20 degrees F) in my 3IS