2018 Sierra Denali Cooled Seats

Joe98 · July 5, 2020

Happy 4th of July everyone . I have a question regarding the cooled seats on my 18 Sierra Denali Ultimate. I realize it’s been smoking hot the last couple weeks, but every trip or outing we’ve been on , the Mrs doesn’t seem to think her seat cooler isn’t working well. Truck has barely any mileage on it, my drivers seat seems to be ok, but last summer when I first got it, they seemed to put out much more cooler air than now. Anyone ever experienced any issues with cooled seats before? Thanks in advance....

Joe

ksiesel · July 5, 2020

In the 2018, it’s not really a seat cooler as there is no cooling module in the system. Instead, it’s a ventilation fan so until your cabin temp comes down (from the A/C), all they are doing is pulling hot air through the seat.

In terms of flow, they pull the air through the seat and blow it out the back and bottom. There are two fan motors per seat, one for the bottom and one for the back. I have actually been pretty impressed with how much difference the ventilation makes vs just having a standard leather seat.

Donstar · July 5, 2020

There is an air duct under both front seats and you may want to check that they are both moving air equally. Your truck has zones and maybe one side is behaving differently. Or... after 42 years of marriage, when the air isn't cool enough for my wife but fine for me, I adjust to her comfort and I get a sweater!

truckguy82 · July 5, 2020

Pretty sure ventilated seats were solely engineered for schweaty balls

JimCost2014 · July 5, 2020

9 hours ago, Joe98 said:

Happy 4th of July everyone . I have a question regarding the cooled seats on my 18 Sierra Denali Ultimate. I realize it’s been smoking hot the last couple weeks, but every trip or outing we’ve been on , the Mrs doesn’t seem to think her seat cooler isn’t working well. Truck has barely any mileage on it, my drivers seat seems to be ok, but last summer when I first got it, they seemed to put out much more cooler air than now. Anyone ever experienced any issues with cooled seats before? Thanks in advance....

Joe

Windows up, Auto mode with temp down as far as it will go on both sides, this about the only way to get the seats as cool as possible in the 16-18 trucks.

The 14 and 15 had the big hard plastic seat backs like the SUV line up with fans and motors dedicated to making the seat cool, rather than pulling cool air from the cab and then "ventilating" through the seat like the seat you have in your truck.

Joe98 · July 5, 2020

Hey Jim,

Thanks very much for the info. I was completely unaware of that info. I'll give it a try on the next family outing. Thanks again...

Nitrousbird · July 6, 2020

Seats are independent of HVAC settings (other than the heated seats coming on when it is cold out and you remote start).

Turn on the seat (with ignition on, truck off) and see if you can hear the ventilation fan. If not, it's an '18 - make the dealer fix it.

JimCost2014 · July 6, 2020

1 hour ago, Joe98 said:

Hey Jim,

Thanks very much for the info. I was completely unaware of that info. I'll give it a try on the next family outing. Thanks again...

You are very welcome.

They do not get as hot or cold as the previous seats, and rely a lot on you being in the seat. Feel the seat under your butt, and then without you in the seat and you will see what I am talking about.

jrabenaldt · July 7, 2020

The seat coolers in my '12 Avalanche were amazing especially in Texas, the '16... not so much. I can feel it if I sit in a certain position but that doesn't last long.

xranger90 · July 9, 2020

On 7/6/2020 at 5:09 AM, JimCost2014 said:

Windows up, Auto mode with temp down as far as it will go on both sides, this about the only way to get the seats as cool as possible in the 16-18 trucks.

The 14 and 15 had the big hard plastic seat backs like the SUV line up with fans and motors dedicated to making the seat cool, rather than pulling cool air from the cab and then "ventilating" through the seat like the seat you have in your truck.

Thank you! Reminds me to check my aunt's new 2015 Sierra I'll be working on right after I finished installing the parts from 4Wheelonline onto the Wrangler JK. She wants to have a cold seat so we'll see.

JimCost2014 · July 9, 2020

16 minutes ago, xranger90 said:

Thank you! Reminds me to check my aunt's new 2015 Sierra I'll be working on right after I finished installing the parts from 4Wheelonline onto the Wrangler JK. She wants to have a cold seat so we'll see.

If it has the hard plastic seat backs with the vents on the side, those are pretty cold.

In 16, they switched the seats, it will be just the 'vinyl" (what they call leather) with zippers all around the perimeter, the new ventilated seats.

And you are very welcome.

Teutonics · July 9, 2020

I'm glad to know it's not just me... I find them to be marginal at best. It also seems that after sitting in them a while the foam or something compresses and reduces airflow. If you shift your body weight or contact points it will feel cool again for a few minutes and then go back to nothing.

mookdoc6 · July 9, 2020

What do I care? If your fat your gonna kill the cooled seats cause your fat...………….

Joe98 · July 10, 2020

On 7/5/2020 at 8:24 PM, Nitrousbird said:

Seats are independent of HVAC settings (other than the heated seats coming on when it is cold out and you remote start).

Turn on the seat (with ignition on, truck off) and see if you can hear the ventilation fan. If not, it's an '18 - make the dealer fix it.

Good advice, thanks .