Strategerizer

Interesting, there seems to be a variety of experiences - thanks for sharing. For the people that say vented seats are noticeable, do you have the HVAC on Auto or you have specific settings for the vents? I assume the former but just trying to exclude other scenarios. Now in order to normalize the results, what would be helpful is to get some feedback that is somewhat objective and measurable so we can compare apples to apples. If you get a chance... Start your car Verify HVAC is set on AUTO Set driver seat cooling to 3 (max) Set passenger seat to 0 (neutral) Put your palm on the middle of the backrest Move your palm away from the backrest (perpendicular) What is the distance at which you can still feel ANY effect? I get about 1". I also tested with engine on/off and climate control set to Auto vs. Fan set to Off. The latter seem to increase flow to backrest a tiny bit. Also, if you have any ideas on how I may be able to force Lexus servicing department to do something about mine not working as expected, I am all ears. Thanks!

Great suggestion and thanks for the clarification. Indeed I should not expect AC cooled air. I'll experiment with the general HVAC controls and see if any settings allow more flow to be directed though the seats. Thanks!

Got a 2012 IS250C last December. Last week took a trip to Palm Springs and it was about 100 degrees so I thought it was perfect to turn on the cooling seats. Both myself and my wife in the passenger seat fiddled with the dials but neither could feel ANY difference with them on (and at max setting.) Took the car to the local dealership to check it out and they mentioned that the effect is not dramatic. I insisted that something must be wrong since I did not feel anything at all. The rep turned it on while parked and put his hand against the seat and then I did the same and if I am almost touching the seat I could feel faintly some air. On the backrest it is even more faint. So I asked if I could check against another car and we went to the showroom and turned on the cooling seats on a 2013 ISx50C (not sure if it was a 250 or 350). Even though the car had just been turned on, (so the AC did not get a chance to cool a lot) I could feel it more briskly. To try to measure the difference, I put my hand where I could barely feel the air and for the car in the showroom that was about 3" from the backrest. On my car it was less than 1" from the backrest. Based on these observations, the service rep took it in. Called back a few days later and said nothing is wrong with it. I insisted and he said the head service guy will take a look. Called back another couple days later and said it all is normal. So I took my car back... But I still am flabbergasted that I have (and paid) for an option that is basically meaningless. Definitely not the "Lexus experience". So I'd like to check with other owners - maybe somebody else has some insight into this... Is it really a pointless feature? Did something change from 2012 to 2013 models? Is there something that can be repaired and I should have insisted for the airflow to be like the showroom floor model? Thanks!