Cooled seats tip

Roidz · August 3, 2015

I went with my buddy over the weekend to test drive a new Ram (for him, I'm definitely not getting rid of the Silverado). I tried out the cooled seats and I couldn't even feel them during the entire 20 minute ride. I've always thought mine could work a little better, but after riding in the Ram I'm a lot happier with mine.

Sent from my iPhone 6+

hurricanoday · August 3, 2015

Those that say the seats don't work must be expecting "AC seats" or are just lying/complaining. They work very well, I'm a big 300lb guy and they def help with air flow on your back and bum. The best feeling is letting the truck idle with the vents blowing on the seats, it is like an icecube when you sit down. I have my seats on max all the time every day, hate getting into my commuter civic.

Like others have said the cab needs to be cold but even then you can feel airflow in the seat.

I have also sat back there and asked numerous people sitting back there, but I couldn't fell any hot our blowing out of the seat or have they said they feel hot air blowing

2SS/RSD · August 3, 2015

My seats work well no problems.... I never had them before this truck and probably would not have ordered them but now like the heated steering wheel i'm glad I have them. Nice option! Cool butt on high setting.

MTB · August 3, 2015

On another note. Why did GM quite putting the "between the legs vent" on the dash for the passenger and driver? I think it did a better job of cooling than AC seats.

OmniGLH · August 3, 2015

I've found that they work well IF I am a little sweaty. They do a great job evaporating the moisture from my backside.

If I'm totally dry (even if the truck itself is hot) I don't feel them all that much.

They might be cooler, temperature wise, but I don't notice it unless I have a little sweat first.

CounterMeasure · August 3, 2015

As previous posters have mention, the seats use Peltier-effect coolers, which use electrical current to pull heat from one side of the device to the other. Its always fun to tinker with one. Years ago, they were all the rage in computer CPU overclocking circles.

At any rate, while they don't require the truck's A/C to function, their efficiency is highly dependent on the cab's ambient temperature much like the radiator or A/C condenser of the truck. The hotter the ambient air in the cab, the less heat that can be dissipated from the hot side's heatsink. As such, less cooling effect on the cool side.

That said, I've wonder how they dealt with the cool side's tendencies to hit dew points and have water form on the device. It would really suck to have cooled mildew/mold filled foam in the seats.

DanY · August 3, 2015

As previous posters have mention, the seats use Peltier-effect coolers, which use electrical current to pull heat from one side of the device to the other. Its always fun to tinker with one. Years ago, they were all the rage in computer CPU overclocking circles.

At any rate, while they don't require the truck's A/C to function, their efficiency is highly dependent on the cab's ambient temperature much like the radiator or A/C condenser of the truck. The hotter the ambient air in the cab, the less heat that can be dissipated from the hot side's heatsink. As such, less cooling effect on the cool side.

That said, I've wonder how they dealt with the cool side's tendencies to hit dew points and have water form on the device. It would really suck to have cooled mildew/mold filled foam in the seats.

The seats have active cooling elements? I thought all they did was move around the cabin air. They don't seem to get very cool in mine until the cabin has cooled off.

CounterMeasure · August 3, 2015

The seats have active cooling elements? I thought all they did was move around the cabin air. They don't seem to get very cool in mine until the cabin has cooled off.

Yes, the "cooled/cooled seats" have active coolers. The heating or cooling is done by the Peltier-effect devices; electrical current one way for cool, current the other way for heat. There are also just "vented/heated seats" in the lower options that just move air as well. Maybe you are thinking of those?

redwngr · August 3, 2015

Yes, the "cooled/cooled seats" have active coolers. The heating or cooling is done by the Peltier-effect devices; electrical current one way for cool, current the other way for heat.

+1

You can learn about the Peltier Effect here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling

Set on max, they will get to cold for me.

(and in winer, the heated seats eventually get to hot)

DanY · August 3, 2015

+1

You can learn about the Peltier Effect here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling

Set on max, they will get to cold for me.

(and in winer, the heated seats eventually get to hot)

Now it makes sense why it takes so long for the heated seats to get warm. I was used to the heated seats in my 03 Silverado SS which get hot as hell since they used resistive heating elements. Thanks for the info. Learn something new every day.

Ron.s · August 3, 2015

There must be some better than others. Mine work very well but my buddy's take much longer and don't cool as well. Mine begin blowing cool air within minutes. Might tell my friend to vacuum his.

My wife's Lexus has the typical seats found in many vehicles. Ventilated seats and a fan-worthless IMO. The fan is too small to move much air and we can't tell when they are on or off. Took the seat back off to make sure they were operating.

RhinoGuy · August 3, 2015

Mine work well after around 5 minutes of being turned on. They are a little on the loud side and definitely blow heat into the backseat. I like them though.

SouthPawCO · June 17, 2016

Well searching through old threads found this. Seems I am not the only one that feels the cooled seats are very 'cool.' I do notice them more as others stated when I am sweaty leaving the gym. I started thinking maybe the pores are clogged and I think I will still mention it to the dealer the next time I am there to see if they can check it out.

emeryz28 · June 17, 2016

I am in FL and I am happy with mine. I use the onstar app to start my truck when I leave my desk and it is usually pretty cold once I walk out to my truck

SouthPawCO · June 17, 2016

Some days they work better than others it seems but I have been taking my bike a lot lately. I really wish I could make the truck run for 20min on the first start up and 10 min on the second. Temps have been 95+ this week in CO so I will keep checking them to see how they perform. Until reading this thread, I did not realize they are 'vented' vs actually being cooled.