SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Seat Heater: seat only or back also?

Old 01-28-12, 04:45 PM
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grottoman
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Default Seat Heater: seat only or back also?

Hello all-
It seems to me that only the actual 'seat' (under the butt) of my seats gets warm with the heater.
Is the back of the seat also supposed to be heated?

If so, is it possible there's a separate fuse, or is it more likely that there's a disconnect?

I searched the forums but didn't see this thread, my apologies if I missed it.

Thanks
Old 01-28-12, 05:02 PM
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Harold57
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My wife seems to think that the back is heated but I've not seen anything to support or disprove it.
Old 01-28-12, 05:12 PM
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JerryB
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Originally Posted by grottoman
Hello all-
It seems to me that only the actual 'seat' (under the butt) of my seats gets warm with the heater.
Is the back of the seat also supposed to be heated?

If so, is it possible there's a separate fuse, or is it more likely that there's a disconnect?

I searched the forums but didn't see this thread, my apologies if I missed it.

Thanks
Hi grotto,

To the best of my knowledge, only the butt area. It's that way with Toyotas also.

The only car that I know of that had butt & back heaters was the 8-series BMW; and those had a control for each.

Jerry Baumchen
Old 01-28-12, 05:26 PM
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grottoman
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Thanks Jerry-

That fits with my experience. It's too bad, as the back would definitely help on colder days with the top down.

Also, on a related note, has anybody experimented with 'closing off' the back seat area from the front?

Again, on colder days, the airflow from the back seat seems to make things worse.

I've considered putting some sort of fabric / leather / some sort of separator to keep the colder air from sneaking forward between the seats, and to the left of the seat, from the back.

(And yep, I stretch the limits of normal temperature tolerance, riding with the roof down in 30/40 degree weather, etc).

Thanks
Old 01-28-12, 08:50 PM
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Beg to differ on seat heater experience. I just had mine replaced under extended warranty. There are heating elements in the seat as well as the back. This applies to both the driver and passenger side. My dealer invoice showed both the seat back cushion and the seat (seat) cushion replaced and the warmth goes at least halfway up my back. I'm glad I had the extended warranty though - it would have been nearly $2000 otherwise.
Old 01-29-12, 04:25 AM
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tentoys
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Was that price for both seats or just one?
Old 01-29-12, 04:52 AM
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iolmaster
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Definitely both back and seat. My back support gets very warm.
Old 01-29-12, 06:49 AM
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tfischer
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I think we call them "bun warmers" for a reason. I'd feel like I was on a rotisserie if the back got warm, also.
Old 01-29-12, 07:28 AM
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iolmaster
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Well, I just checked mine. It is a 2006 and both the seat and the back get warm. So I guess I have a rotisserie.
Old 01-29-12, 09:26 AM
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tfischer
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I will have to check mine. It's a 2002, and I don't think the backs get warm. Also, I have a 2004 RX, and I don't think the backs in that car get warm, either, but I will check. Perhaps my back is not as soft and as tender as my ***.
Old 01-29-12, 10:00 AM
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mrblister
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my 2005 both seat bottom and seat back get warm
Old 01-29-12, 11:19 AM
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kjcole
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Seat and backrest on my 2002. Seat and backrest on my wife's 09 Chevy. Seat and backrest on my old Audi. Seat and backrest on my buddy's Chevy Traverse (with independent control of seat and backrest). I can't say that I know of any car with seat heaters that only have elements in the seat cushion.

Well, except the Subaru Outback!!!! - thanks iolmaster (see next post)!!

Last edited by kjcole; 01-30-12 at 07:15 AM.
Old 01-29-12, 01:04 PM
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iolmaster
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Subaru Outback does not have heaters in the backrest.
Old 01-29-12, 01:33 PM
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hn1204
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yea my 06 seems to have both back and seat
Old 01-29-12, 02:00 PM
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grottoman
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Hmm. Mine is an 03, and definitely only seems like the seat.
Not sure if there's a definitive answer for my year yet, although kjcole says his 2002 does the back... If that's true, then I'm sure my 03 should also...
Guess I'll have to check with my local lexus folks and see what might be going on.

Thanks all

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