So the ventilated seats are great here in Texas especially in the Summer. I wonder if there is any way to boost the fan, change it out for a more powerful one? Anyone thought about this or know exactly how it works?

Can't help with the fan exchange, but, you can put in a fresh seat filter and lean your rear mat up against back of driver's seat and put fan on floor only.

Thanks. Yeah the guy at the service department told me the trick with the rear mat and I've been using the AC with the bi-directional fan setting. Works better then before for sure.

Is there really a filter for the ventilated seats? I never knew that.

I wasn't aware of this either.

I can't say for a fact that the ES has the filters, but other Lexus models have them. If you do a search for the filter or ask Lexus, most will respond with a no. As an example, LS460 has them but they're only listed as a part on older models. It doesn't make sense but it's true. It seems to me that if you have ventilated seats, the fan would require filter protection no matter what model. Mine were fairly dirty after 5 years. They're disc shaped, about the size of a coffee cup lid and under the seat cushion. Run the seat all the way forward and reach under from the front. When you feel the round disc, twist CCW. It's not easy as there's a bunch of stuff under there.
Do a search in the LS 4th gen. forum for photos and further instructions.

No filter for ES.

My service advisor told me today that the older LS430 actually had "cooled" seats but that they abandoned them because of service problems. Now all are just ventilated using cabin air. One local Lexus Club guy suggested that the foam gets packed down and impedes airflow too. All the more reason to get a bigger fan!

Your service advisor's statement is an example of the mess that surrounds knowledge of the air filter.
My LS460 SWB 2010 has the filters. The only way to really know for sure is to check yourself. Unless someone who has the same model as you says different AND they've actually checked themselves. Way too many people dispense as fact, their perception. I'm guilty of it too.

I didn't say anything about a filter.

It was just about the lack of actual "cooled" vs "ventilated using cabin air" - I think he was just giving me history was all.

Even though I read your post. I saw what I was expecting to see. I'm not that old...

But you will be one day... trust me. At 60 I swear I learn more every day than I used to!

I do wish that the air flow was better on my LS460. Even though it has a dedicated cold air duct under the seats, it could be better. I imagine the type of foam used is a compromise between comfort, support and ability to allow air flow.

I don't think that the airflow from the seat cushion fan is that bad......on my car a light hand towel will "float" off the cushion when the fan is on "high". I guess if one uses the fan a lot it might be worthwhile to drop the fan and vacuum the dust off the bottom of the seat cushion. The seat back fan doesn't quite have as much "ooph". As mentioned above it's all a trade-off. If there was more flow then people would complain about the noise.

you guys are too rich and i have no idea what ventilated seats are ; P