As I mentioned in my prior post a friend is looking at a 2010 CPO GS 350 AWD and a 2009 GS 350 AWD. The cooled seats were immediately noticeable on the 2010. The cooled seats are a top consideration for this person. Before we knew the 2009 had cooled seats he was ready to walk away due to that feature (was not listed in the details page for the dealer). When we sat in the 2009 and took it for a drive, the AC was blasting away but the cooled seats did not seem to have the same effect. You could feel it a bit on the bottom, but the back was minimal. You could feel the air coming out but it didn't seem particularly cold.

I was reading some posts, and I know I set the AC on the 2010 to blow on the center and floor vents. The 2009 I didn't think to do that. One member mentioned all the seats do is push the cold air from the bottom of the car up through the seats, so if the air is not particularly cold, it won't feel cold.

Wondering what the issue- if any would be?

Thanks guys, I am sure my friend is looking forward to joining your ranks soon.

 

None of the 3GS seats are "cooled". They are "ventilated". No cooling action except through convection and evaporation. The rate of heat loss through convection depends on the air speed above the surface. As your legs heat the ambient air, an insulating boundary layer of warm air forms against your legs/butt. Moving air disrupts the boundary layer, allowing for new, cooler air to replace the warm air against the surface. The faster the air speed, the more readily the surface cools as well as the temperature differential between the rising air and the aforementioned surface temperature. If you are sweaty, the cooling effect is exacerbated and feels delightful.
So, indeed, some cars like the Nissan Maxima that have "cooled" seats actually will make your butt frosty... our Lexus seats just blow your crotch air up into your face. Maybe Lexus thought everyone that bought a GS would have sweaty asses?

 

My Expedition uses vents from the AC to cool the seats. The link below has what our vehicles have.

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/seatvenheats.html

 

I have the same 08 expedition el limited and the ac cooler is so strong compared to the lexus. Its night and day