Heated Seats - auto start based on temperature?

[BartManStl]

I believe when you remote start a Camaro for example, if the temperature is below a certain amount, the heated seats automatically come on, so the seats are preheated when you get in. Just wondering if this is true on the Sonic as well. Has anyone looked to see if its an option with the OnStar App when you remote start?

 

[Fit4Sonic]

I believe when you remote start a Camaro for example, if the temperature is below a certain amount, the heated seats automatically come on, so the seats are preheated when you get in. Just wondering if this is true on the Sonic as well. Has anyone looked to see if its an option with the OnStar App when you remote start?

My Avalanche LTZ has heated seats and remote start. How it works is whatever you have the climate (HVAC) controls and heated seats set at when you leave the truck is what it reverts to when remote starting.

Once, during the summer, I didn't leave the AC on when leaving the truck. When I remote started it automatically selected AC and set the temp. Then again, my Avalanche has Automatic Climate Control, instead of standard HVAC controls.

I could be wrong, but considering the price of the Sonic, I wouldn't imagine the Sonic's heating/cooling system would be quite as sophisticated as that in the Avalanche LTZ. Then again, I could be wrong about that.


The Sonic Manual States:

The climate control will default to
the last used heating or cooling
mode. If the vehicle has heated
seats, they may come on during a
remote start.

When it is cold outside, the
heated seats can be turned on
automatically during a remote
vehicle start. The heated seats will
be canceled when the ignition is
turned on. Press the control to use
the heated seats after the vehicle is
started.

The heated seat indicator lights do
not turn on during a remote start.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced.
This is normal.


I have no clue what "may come on during a remote start" means.

The manual doesn't state anything more regarding climate controls or heated seats relating to remote start... unless I missed that info.

 

[BartManStl]

I would venture to guess that the "may come on" may be influenced by ambient air temperature. If its below a certain amount, they kick on. Interesting the way they worded it though.

 

[MySonicBoom]

I used the iPhone OnStar app to start my car from my office last night before leaving work. The outside conditions were cold and snowy. In fact, I had a couple inches of accumulated snow on my Sonic. I was surprised when I showed up to my car and sat down on a pre-heated seat (I did not have the seat-warmer on when I shut off the car). I guess the "may come on" actually was a "did come on". It's a pretty cool feature and was much appreciated last night!

 

[Sonic]

That's an awesome feature!

 

[Fit4Sonic]

I used the iPhone OnStar app to start my car from my office last night before leaving work. The outside conditions were cold and snowy. In fact, I had a couple inches of accumulated snow on my Sonic. I was surprised when I showed up to my car and sat down on a pre-heated seat (I did not have the seat-warmer on when I shut off the car). I guess the "may come on" actually was a "did come on". It's a pretty cool feature and was much appreciated last night!

Yeah man! I was first spoiled by that by a Jeep Liberty I owned. My Avalanche really spoiled me because it's even more intuitive... seems to make the right choices all on it's own.

That's cool the Sonic is doing that to some extent also. Yup... remote start and heated seats are the coolest things since beautiful women!

 

[Fit4Sonic]

That's an awesome feature!

It's VERY awesome!

 

[rodslinger]

Anyone figure out what the magic number is for these things to automatically come on during remote start?

I've had a few mornings in Atlanta where ambient temps have been 38f to 45f early in the morning. Been using the remote start and the heated seats are not kicking on automatically. Have even turned them on manually the previous evening before turning off the car hoping it would remember the last operating mode. No dice....

 

[rdss]

That would be nice if the Sonic with seat heaters did this, my Sierra does what the OP stated, depending in temp it will either turn on the AC at full blast or the heat on with the seat warmers. The heat option is a great feature, not as useful in the south though.

 

[rodslinger]

That would be nice if the Sonic with seat heaters did this, ....

Well according to what I'm reading in the manual they should. It only indicates they "may" come on, not "shall". It is also not further identified what the criteria is that will activate them. Just that when it is cold outside the seats can be turned on automatically. I have the feature enabled via the MyLink radio but it never seems to work. I can remote start the car while it is 37F outside and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes. The seats are still ice cold. And that is some cold ass vinyl.

From page 2-4:
If the vehicle has heated seats, they may come on during a remote start.
See Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑6.

From page 3-6:
When it is cold outside, the heated seats can be turned on automatically during a remote vehicle start. The heated seats will be canceled when the ignition is turned on. Press the control to use the heated seats after the vehicle is started. The heated seat indicator lights do not turn on during a remote start. The temperature performance of an unoccupied seat may be reduced. This is normal.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2‑4

Just loops back to the original statement. Very vague and uninformative.

 

[rdss]

Just loops back to the original statement. Very vague and uninformative.

As are most owners manuals. I still haven't gotten my Homelink in the Sierra to work with my garage door opener......

 

[ungawd]

Great necro.

This is something that's been frustrating me about this car. For me it doesn't turn on the climate control or butt warmers. I've tried a few things to no avail. Must the Konami code be entered on the RKE for it to function? :blankface:

EDIT: On occasion it does turn the radio on?

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I would try leaving the butt warmers and the heat on full blast when you shut the car off.

 

[ungawd]

I would try leaving the butt warmers and the heat on full blast when you shut the car off.

I've tried that in hopes that it would remember the settings but no dice.

I may try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes to reset everything. Maybe that'll work, who knows.

 

[CoHPhasor]

Yea, there's a feature for whether or not seat heaters are disabled on remote start through MyLink.

Those who leave it on when shutting down the car, check to see how yours is set.
(Same goes for you MySonicBoom)

Wonder if it's something that only happens when you use the OnStar app,.. yet another feature that should be standard bogarted by OnStar? I don't doubt it.