Why cant i turn off the AC/Heating system completely

cubangt · October 7, 2015

Coming from Ford, if I turned off the system, it was off. In this new truck, I can turn off the fan, but my controls are all still on as if the system is on and if its not set to recirculate, I can feel the air from outside coming into the truck..

Am I missing something, I mean why doesn't "Off" mean off in these new trucks?

newdude · October 7, 2015

From the owners manual for auto climate control:

O (On/Off)
Press to turn the climate control system on or off. Outside air still enters the vehicle, and is directed to the floor. This direction can be changed by pressing the air delivery mode.

Both the manual and auto systems allow outside air into the vehicle when the blower fan is off. Helps to equalize cabin pressure. Auto defaults to the floor, manual systems the air will flow depending on where you last had the duct positions. GM trucks have done this since 1999, heck maybe before that even.

cubangt · October 7, 2015

yea don't think I want cold air coming into the truck once winter arrives, that sucs..

thanks..

kstruckcountry · October 7, 2015

Press auto, set your temp and select defrost. Problem solved.

cubangt · October 7, 2015

Well for me, I don't have the auto system and during the winter once the car/truck is warm enough, I tend to turn everything off (at least in the past) so that its comfortable.

kstruckcountry · October 7, 2015

Every vehicle I've ever driven has had some flow with the system off. On my old pickup with manual AC, I'd leave the temp knob somewhere in the middle so it'd get some heat to balance out the cool air.

Tattooo · October 7, 2015

yea don't think I want cold air coming into the truck once winter arrives, that sucs..

thanks..

Keep the temp higher if you want warmer air coming in. Thats what I do

newdude · October 7, 2015

yea don't think I want cold air coming into the truck once winter arrives, that sucs..

thanks..

Set the temp to hot.

cubangt · October 7, 2015

Yea once the weather changes and stays, im sure ill find the right combination on the settings, im use to setting it and forgetting it unless its during the time of year when the weather is not consistent like right now here.

but thank you for all the suggestions and work arounds.

TJay74 · October 8, 2015

As said all GM vehicles do this, it is because the recirculation door stays open so the outside air is forced thru the system even when it is off.

fondupot · October 8, 2015

yea don't think I want cold air coming into the truck once winter arrives, that sucs..

thanks..

Well in the winter time you are going to have the heat on so that should not be an issue....

Potts · October 8, 2015

I agree with the OP that this is less than desired in some scenarios. I for one HATE forced air heat. It makes me feel sick and cannot stand it, even in my own house. What I typically do in the winter when it's cold but not freezing is get the cabin nice and toasty and then turn it off and rock the heated seats. In this case, it will quickly need to be turned back on because cold air is constantly blowing into the cabin. I noticed this too and thought it was weird. I have noticed this in other vehicles, but the force of the air in the Silverado is more powerful than any vehicle I e ever owned. It feels like you still have the blower on on the lowest setting, it's that constant. I can live with it, but totally get the OPs point of view.

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kevin_nj · October 9, 2015

Fan off and vent set to recirculate mode.

TJay74 · October 9, 2015

I agree with the OP that this is less than desired in some scenarios. I for one HATE forced air heat. It makes me feel sick and cannot stand it, even in my own house. What I typically do in the winter when it's cold but not freezing is get the cabin nice and toasty and then turn it off and rock the heated seats. In this case, it will quickly need to be turned back on because cold air is constantly blowing into the cabin. I noticed this too and thought it was weird. I have noticed this in other vehicles, but the force of the air in the Silverado is more powerful than any vehicle I e ever owned. It feels like you still have the blower on on the lowest setting, it's that constant. I can live with it, but totally get the OPs point of view.

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All you have to do is turn the temperature setting to what you desire, the air is still forced thru the heater core so you don't have to have ice cold air or fully hot air.