Dissatisfied With Our 2014 RX 350
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
Seat heaters in my 2014 RX350 get plenty hot and very quickly. Even on the lowest position it can get uncomfortably hot after a few minutes use.
My RX heater starts blowing warm air after about 1.5 - 2 miles of driving (2-3 minutes) and its set to Auto 72°. It's pretty cold here too, currently 13°F.
I'd suggest taking it back and ask to test a similar RX off the lot. Time the heater till it starts to blow warm air. Take a thermometer with and test the heat generated from the seat heater and compare it to yours. This will stop a service manager from claiming that it is the way they all are if they are not.
My RX heater starts blowing warm air after about 1.5 - 2 miles of driving (2-3 minutes) and its set to Auto 72°. It's pretty cold here too, currently 13°F.
I'd suggest taking it back and ask to test a similar RX off the lot. Time the heater till it starts to blow warm air. Take a thermometer with and test the heat generated from the seat heater and compare it to yours. This will stop a service manager from claiming that it is the way they all are if they are not.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,545
Likes: 229
From: San Francisco, CA
^^ what is really weird is how so many people have different opinions on the seat heating, and also different variations between lexus vehicles. On my 11 RX, I have to say that are perfect. On the highest setting, it certainly doesn't burn or feel uncomfortable, and is the perfect amount I would set as "high".
However, on a recent '14 ES350 loaner, setting it on "1" or the lowest setting got super hot quickly. One would think they use the same heat mechanism across all models but apparently not
However, on a recent '14 ES350 loaner, setting it on "1" or the lowest setting got super hot quickly. One would think they use the same heat mechanism across all models but apparently not
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,631
Likes: 4,045
From: Maryland
There is a lot of variation between cars. In fact, my old ES the drivers seat got way hotter than the passenger seat.
Don't worry about the AC wing "on" in the winter. I never turn it off and the heat works fine
Don't worry about the AC wing "on" in the winter. I never turn it off and the heat works fine
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
Only had ours since June. Finally getting cool enough to use the heat. I've noticed that even when adjusting the temperature(s) higher, the upper right hand corner of the NAV screen states 'AC On'
I have to go to the Climate screen and turn the AC off each time.
I know the answer is in the Owners manual but, I've only read thru Chapter 23 of Volume I.
The manuals are just too heavy to carry together, even with the sack the dealer gave me.
Anyway there is no place to keep them in the car, so I'm building a bookcase for them in the den.
That's about my only complaint, they didn't give me no bookcase or a Lexus hand truck to get them to and from the car, just a lousy cloth sack.
I have to go to the Climate screen and turn the AC off each time.
I know the answer is in the Owners manual but, I've only read thru Chapter 23 of Volume I.
The manuals are just too heavy to carry together, even with the sack the dealer gave me.
Anyway there is no place to keep them in the car, so I'm building a bookcase for them in the den.
That's about my only complaint, they didn't give me no bookcase or a Lexus hand truck to get them to and from the car, just a lousy cloth sack.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 48
From: NY / LI
OP sorry to hear of your disappointment.
IMO I have always found that Acura, Infiniti and Lexus vehicles warm up much faster than others, usually within 3 mins. The heated seats and heat in the RX work great on ours.
My wife's two previous ML350's took FOREVER to warm up, at least 15-20 mins and I'm not kidding.. That is a long time to wait for hot air to start blowing when its 20-25 degrees outside..
My in-laws live approx 15 -20 mins away from us and my wife would always comment that the ML will be warm by the time we get home.. And by the time I would pull into the driveway it was warm.
IMO I have always found that Acura, Infiniti and Lexus vehicles warm up much faster than others, usually within 3 mins. The heated seats and heat in the RX work great on ours.
My wife's two previous ML350's took FOREVER to warm up, at least 15-20 mins and I'm not kidding.. That is a long time to wait for hot air to start blowing when its 20-25 degrees outside..
My in-laws live approx 15 -20 mins away from us and my wife would always comment that the ML will be warm by the time we get home.. And by the time I would pull into the driveway it was warm.
Last edited by JT4; Nov 17, 2014 at 09:22 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 44
From: NH
Several options I plan to adjust.
My wife will think I'm a genius and I read both volumes.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: WV
To me these issues seem relatively minor. May be the OP is more sensitive to such changes but anyway the dealer should have addressed those issues carefully rather than putting a "within normal limits" stamp on it.
No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 177
From: NJ
^That's why I recommended talking to the service manager. They can address the concerns and/or suggest remedies that might make it less of an issue. Sometimes getting an explanation makes a difference.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 5
From: Ab.
Interesting to find this thread.
Got a 2015RX 350 as a loaner, one of the first things I noticed was how darn long it takes to warm up!
Thought I was missing a setting somewhere and posted a thread it is so annoying.
My GS350 heats up just fine, I realize there is a much lbigger cabin in the RX. But still it should get warmer quicker!
Got a 2015RX 350 as a loaner, one of the first things I noticed was how darn long it takes to warm up!
Thought I was missing a setting somewhere and posted a thread it is so annoying.
My GS350 heats up just fine, I realize there is a much lbigger cabin in the RX. But still it should get warmer quicker!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: PA
Mine is like this too. But it didn't surprise me, since I had a 2007 Toyota Camry for 7 years before getting the RX350. And it behaved the same way. So my workaround is to forget the "Auto" mode after the daily temps drop enough. And each time I start the car, I have to crank up the temperature and crank up the fan... then back it down when the cabin gets warm enough. It's a PITA, but the "Auto" mode just waits WAY too long to warm up my cabin.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 5
From: Ab.
Strange programming of the heating system. Noted when in auto the vehicles engine needs to get to full operating temp before the fan will go to highest speed.
Even in man. Mode the fan doesn't go to full until, the engine temp gauge comes up a few marks.
Obviously the designer doesn't live in a real cold area.
In Ab. we want that fan at high speed the minute there is some warm air to blow
Even in man. Mode the fan doesn't go to full until, the engine temp gauge comes up a few marks.
Obviously the designer doesn't live in a real cold area.
In Ab. we want that fan at high speed the minute there is some warm air to blow
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