slow heating

help me out guys. Not sure if I'm imagining things, not yet use to the cold weather in the Northeast, or if I may have an issue with the heating in my truck. I recently had the frame of my '07 DCSB replaced as part of the limited service campaign. At the same time, temperatures here in the Northeast have dropped to typical winter temps. It seems as if the heater (as in HVAC) is now much slower in warming up the cab. I have a remote starter and even after letting the truck run for 5-10 minutes the cab is not as warm as I remember last winter or prior to the frame swap. Am I imagining things or is it possible the truck is slow in getting warm?

 

Does the engine warm up like normal?

 

yes. Haven't noticed anything different in terms of it running or driving.

 

Take it back to the dealer who did the frame work. That is a major operation. Who knows what they botched in the process.

 

Dont know where in the North East you are, but I'm in Maine. I can let my '05 "warm up" for 30 minutes and she's still chilly when I get into her.

 

I have a 2011 auto DC Off Road V6. This is its 5th winter as I bought it in fall 2010. The truck has always taken a long time to heat up in winter. In fact, it takes about double the distance for similar heating as compared to my Volvo. In addition, the truck also cools down much quicker than you would expect and if you park for a few hours in cold temps there appears to be no residual heat remaining. I suspect that its height off the ground and aluminum in the engine make it more reactive to the outside temp.
Once it gets warm, its fine.

 

When you speak of the heat, do you mean cabin temp or engine temp?

After your 10 minute warm-up, is the engine temp needle in the middle area of the gauge?

Was the slow temp more obvious last week when we had the subzero temps?... or does it do it every time on the temp gauge?

 

I'm referring to the cabin temp. I haven't noticed the engine temp needle but the truck is running fine. I suspect engine temp is normal but will pay closer attention to it tomorrow. I definitely noticed the slow warm up of the cabin in last week's subzero temps but it just seems to warm up slower than in years past. Not sure if I'm imagining things or if something could actually cause the cabin to warm slower than in the past.

 

Start simple.... check to see that all the vent louvers are fully open.... and the airflow selector is set to floor and dashboard.

I had mine on defrost & dashboard, I didn't notice it for a couple of days and was concerned that my thermostat was getting weak because the heat wasn't what it should have been .

 

check and check. Selector is always set to floor and defrost.

 

Turn selector off defrost (to dash and floor) and see how it does. Defrost setting (in most vehicles) cycles the AC to dry the air.

 

I think you're imagining things. You said you use a remote starter, and after 5 - 10 minutes the cabin is not as warm as you expect it to be in sub-zero outside temperatures. I use a remote starter as well and after 5 minutes in cold weather, my cabin MAY be just a little warm. After 10 minutes the cabin temp is warm, but certainly not what I'd call comfortable. Have a look at your temp gauge. After 10 minutes my needle will be just crawling above the lowest mark on the gauge. Also, check to see where your temp needle is after you've been driving 15 or 20 minutes. Put your fan on bust and stick your hand in front of the louver. I'm betting she's blowing hot air (which I have been accused of sometimes doing).

 

I think you're correct. The temp needle is about a quarter of the way after 10 minutes and the cabin is then starting to get warm. I was probably imagining things due to the timing of our cold weather and my frame replacement. Thanks for the input.

 

You could just do what my wife does and blast the fan as soon as you start the car to blow around cold air and delay the engine from heating up...

 

Takes a long time (compared to other vehicles I have owned) for the cab to warm up. Just is what is.

 

Hahahahaha. My wife does the exact same thing - always tell her its like using a cold fan to warm you up. She just doesn't get it.....

 

I have the same issue with slow heating the cabin. I noticed that when I change the selector from floor and defrost to floor and cabin, use any fan speed but low, and crank the heat thermostat to maximum, using remote starter will eventually bring the temperature to my comfort zone before it shuts down. For some reason it seems to heat the cabin better / faster using the above settings.

 

i agree on the above and will add these trucks have shit for insulation. and yep im in mass to and its been too cold here lately lol

 

Shift between gears to keep the RPMs around 2K. It will warm up faster. I find the truck always downshifts to 5th asap. manually keep it in 3rd or 4th depending on your morning commute speed.

 

I've got a new neighbor that will start his new GMC Envoy and back out of his driveway 2 seconds after it's started..... his wife does the same thing too.

They're from California, so....