Question to anyone who has the AC seats......

When you use your remote start...
Do the AC seats turn on before you get in the car?

My first 2006 DTS DID turn on the AC seats when using remote start.
This one don't.

Just wondering if the first one was strange... or does this one need something re-programmed?

Texas Jim

Those are kind of tricky, it all depends on the ambient temperature.
I can't remember the specifics off hand but it needs to be above a certain temperature before the "cooled seats" will turn on.
They may well have changed it but I haven't read anything that says so.

ewill3rd,

Thanks for your reply.

It has been 100+ outside temp here in Texas for the last few weeks. :)

The difference in the two cars is.... on my first one, the AC seats would come on when doing a remote start. The seats would then be nice and cool when you sit down.

On my current one... the AC seats DO NOT come on when during a remote start. They are still HOT when you sit down.
The AC seats on this one, can only be turned on after inserting the key and turning it to the RUN position.

I will speak to my dealer again and see if there is anything he can do.... programming wise to enable the seats to activate when doing a remote start.

The one time I mentioned it... he said that none of them do that. ie...come on during remote start.

Texas Jim

My 08DTS seats don't come on--heat or cool--with the remote start. I once tried to activate the passenger seat cooling without anyone it in and didn't feel any cooling (probably need to test this one again to verify) which had me wondering if there's a microswitch that requires weight in the seat (similar to the airbag) before it activates.

Now that its cooled down to a chilly high 80's here in T-town, I probably won't even turn on the a/c....but if I remember this week, I'll give the seats a test to see if they activate without any weight.

My 08DTS seats don't come on--heat or cool--with the remote start. I once tried to activate the passenger seat cooling without anyone it in and didn't feel any cooling (probably need to test this one again to verify) which had me wondering if there's a microswitch that requires weight in the seat (similar to the airbag) before it activates.

Now that its cooled down to a chilly high 80's here in T-town, I probably won't even turn on the a/c....but if I remember this week, I'll give the seats a test to see if they activate without any weight.


Thats odd... All of the late model GM's that I have checked (even my sons GMC pickup)... the heated seats will come on automatically, if it is below 40 degrees and you do a remote start.

I have tested the cooling on the passenger seat in my DTS when driving.

It DOES come on and get cool.
It is hard to feel it much with your hand... but if you have something laying in the seat... like my metal clipboard... it will get cool.

I just wish the cool seat would come on automatically like my first one did. :cloud9:

Texas Jim

My 2007 Owner's Manual says that the FRONT HEATED SEATS will come on with remote start, but says nothing about the COOL function. I've found that if the temperature is below about 35F, the heat function comes on with remote.

I have NOT found that the COOL function works with remote even when outside temps. are above 105F here in CA.

My 2007 Owner's Manual says that the FRONT
I have NOT found that the COOL function works with remote even when outside temps. are above 105F here in CA.


Thanks for the info.
Mine don't come on either... even when it is hot out.

What is so strange.... on my FIRST 2006 DTS ... the cooled seats DID come on with remote start.

Even tho my dealer says they don't work that way. :) :)

The FSM says this:

Remote Start and Personalization
When the Remote Start feature is activated through the key FOB, it starts up the vehicles automatic HVAC control system according to the previous settings of the system before turning the vehicle off. When the outside temperature is cold, the automatic HVAC control system will start up the rear window defogger and if the vehicle has heated seats, they will also turn on. Cooled seat are activated during a remote start. Normal operation of the automatic HVAC control system will return after the key is turned to RUN position.

If the remote start personalization feature for climate control is selected through radio, the HVAC control module will receive information that defines the current driver of the vehicle from the Remote Keyless Entry via GMLAN. This information shall be stored inside the HVAC control module memory. When a different key fob is selected, the HVAC control module will recall the appropriate driver settings. When the HVAC control module is first turned ON, the last stored settings for the current driver will be activated. Upon a battery reset, the HVAC control module shall also set the driver ID to Driver#2. The HVAC system will memorize the following system configurations for up to 2 unique drivers:

• Driver set temperature

• Passenger set temperature

• Mode

• Blower motor speed

• A/C compressor request, auto ON or A/C OFF



Now whether or not that is factual or a carryover in the manual that didn't translate into production... I don't know.

The cooled seat function on remote start was probably removed due to someone filing a lawsuit claiming that they froze their nuts off when getting into the car.

My 2006 does not turn on the cooled seats either. Heat yes, cooled no.

The cooled seat function on remote start was probably removed due to someone filing a lawsuit claiming that they froze their nuts off when getting into the car.


Laughing.... that may be a possibility. :)

My first DTS was one of the earliest production models.
The 2nd one was built several months later.


Texas Jim