Automatic Heated Seats and Steering Wheel

jbhardman · November 9

I just moved this summer from a 2014 Ram 1500 Sport to a 2021 Sierra 2500HD SLT. One thing I feel I'm missing is automatically turning on heated seats and steering wheel. My old truck had it that if the outside temp was below 40, they would automatically come on. Both when starting via remote start on the key fob, or when turning the key in the ignition.

My Sierra appears to only have auto-on for remote start. And then, when I get in and push the button to be able to drive, they turn off. So every single time I get in the truck I have to turn them on manually.

Am I missing a setting somewhere? Can they not come on automatically when pushing the start button in the truck?

revrnd · November 9

I can't say about the 2021s, but on my 2024, the 'on' temperature is above 32* F/0* C.

davidm767 · November 9

On my 2024 LTZ its in the climate section of the Infotainment center settings. I can't say for sure if your trim level has this feature, but if it is that's where you can select it to automatically come on when the temps drop.

Edited November 9 by davidm767

revrnd · November 9

On my 2024:

I'll dig around to see if there is an adjustment for the temp.

I don't see anything other than this. Truck is an LT.

Edited November 9 by revrnd

Epsilon Plus · November 11

My 22 LT will turn heated seats/wheel on after remote start if the temperature on the radio is 59'F or below.

jbhardman · November 12

Yeah, the 2021 infotainment UI is different, but I have the same option for "Auto heated seats"... but, it's getting cold in Utah, and it has only ever turned on heated seats when remotely started. And they turn off when I push the button to put it in gear. And they don't turn on at all when I just start it from inside the vehicle.

It's a minor thing, but just nice to have.

redwngr · November 12

My 1500 sierra is a 'refresh' truck.

It has auto heated seats and steering wheel.

They will come on after push button start.

They will come on after remote start.

They work at much higher that 32F -- I'm thinking 45 or 50F range?

Steering wheel gets hot enough I usually decide to shut it off during drive.

Truck replaced a 21 1500 (so pre-refresh). Same trim level.

Seats and steering wheel would come on with remote start -- but needed to be turn on again after entering vehicle/starting to drive.

Steering wheel and seats were much slower to heat.

We also have a 2020 Acadia. (so all vehicles gmc)

The 2020 suv has fully automated seat and wheel heaters even though the 21 1500 did not.

I'd guess that the HD pickups got the improved wheel/set heat automation when they got the electrical system refresh (2024 model)

Edited November 12 by redwngr

revrnd · November 12

So far I turn off the heaters after about 30 seconds when the ambient temp has been around freezing. It will be interesting to see if that changes this winter.