Heating very weak

[ozziegt]

What is the heating like on your vehicles? It's not too cold out (40 F) and on max heat the air coming out of the vents is warm at best. Definitely not hot like I expect out of an ICE vehicle. As a result my feet are always cold when I am driving this thing. Wondering if I should file a service ticket?

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[shamoo]

I don't know if it is a bug, but unless Auto is on and/or (haven't figured it out) the rear vent is on as well, the heat doesn't really work at all in the front.

Basically if I want any real heat, I have to make sure the rear vent/heat is turned on.

If the rear vent/heat is not on, it is hit or miss whether hot air comes out from the front.

I've seen this posted by others as well, it isn't just me. Note that I live in Southern California so my use of heat is not as much as others. Our "cold" is in the early mornings where it might be mid to high 40s on a cold day. By mid-day it is 50-80 haha.

 

[Erikbecker]

What is the heating like on your vehicles? It's not too cold out (40 F) and on max heat the air coming out of the vents is warm at best. Definitely not hot like I expect out of an ICE vehicle. As a result my feet are always cold when I am driving this thing. Wondering if I should file a service ticket?

Firstly, ensure your coolant levels are good because low levels can mess with your heating. Also, double-check that your thermostat is doing its job right. A wonky thermostat can mean not enough heat. Nowadays, cars have these fancy HVAC systems with sensors and stuff that might need tweaking or swapping out.

If the problem sticks around, it might be time to hit up the service team.

 

[R1Tom]

I came back from a trip where truck sat a week at airport...was below zero....remote started heat 20-30 minutes prior to getting to truck....and it was all nice and toasty inside. So I assume something is wrong when people post that heating isn't very good. Or they made a running change to the heater and made it smaller or something like that.

 

[ozziegt]

Firstly, ensure your coolant levels are good because low levels can mess with your heating. Also, double-check that your thermostat is doing its job right. A wonky thermostat can mean not enough heat. Nowadays, cars have these fancy HVAC systems with sensors and stuff that might need tweaking or swapping out.

If the problem sticks around, it might be time to hit up the service team.

Sounds like I just need to put in a service ticket since neither the coolant nor the thermostat are user serviceable. I would be surprised if the coolant is used to heat the vehicle, considering that the coolant does not get very hot and that won't heat the vehicle when it is parked either. My understanding is a resistive heating element is used to heat the cabin.

 

[Chez]

I just had the same issue. Support had me do all three resets and it did not seem to work so I made a service appt. Next time I drive the truck it was fine. I would try the reset options and see if it fixes it.

 

[HenryThe8th]

... was below zero....remote started heat 20-30 minutes prior to getting to truck....and it was all nice and toasty inside.

From cold-start, this is my experience. But, when driving anywhere I can't get that level of heat, or temp consistency, and the cabin temp will eventually chill, especially the footwells.

I can toggle AUTO or manually adjust the fan and, like, there is no substantial difference in the volume of air or temp coming out of the vents.

The only setting that gets real [while driving] for me is defrost/heat.

Basically if I want any real heat, I have to make sure the rear vent/heat is turned on.

Basically if I want any real heat, I have to make sure the rear vent/heat is turned on.

I'll have to try this. Sounds like you might be onto something.

 

[SDRivianR1T]

I don't know if it is a bug, but unless Auto is on and/or (haven't figured it out) the rear vent is on as well, the heat doesn't really work at all in the front.

Basically if I want any real heat, I have to make sure the rear vent/heat is turned on.

If the rear vent/heat is not on, it is hit or miss whether hot air comes out from the front.

I've seen this posted by others as well, it isn't just me. Note that I live in Southern California so my use of heat is not as much as others. Our "cold" is in the early mornings where it might be mid to high 40s on a cold day. By mid-day it is 50-80 haha.

Exactly what I'm going through. If I need more heat I have to have auto on otherwise barley any heat. Might be a bug because everything was working fine befor the latest update. My radio seem to have .more static then before and the truck seem to not recognize my phone as a key once in a while.

 

[EVentually]

Adding one more to the echo chamber. If I pre-warm the cabin, it seems to work, but once I'm in my truck, it seems like it plateaus around maybe mid-low 70s. Underwhelming.

 

[ozziegt]

I had a mobile tech at my house today for an unrelated issue. I asked him about the heating. He said it's been a common complaint over the winter, especially about "the leg area". He said the heating works at first but then heat is diverted to where it's needed elsewhere like the battery, and that means there isn't enough left for the cabin.

Not sure if I buy the explanation. I thought the motors were used to heat up the battery. I thought the heating of the batteries was separate...but maybe not. Anyway, there is confirmation that this is a widespread problem and he said there isn't much Rivian can do about it.

 

[RivAW]

known software bug….work around is to be sure your rear heat is on (I just keep rear floor vents on during winter)….

 

[ozziegt]

known software bug….work around is to be sure your rear heat is on (I just keep rear floor vents on during winter)….

I'll try it

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

No complaints about mine. Try these settings.

A few thoughts:

• You can tap & drag to adjust direction of vents/airflow (lot of new owners don't know this)
• Supplement with heated seats & wheel as needed
• Don't use Auto, otherwise it will do stupid, unpredictable things (just my opinion) ?

 

[ozziegt]

No complaints about mine. Try these settings.

A few thoughts:

• You can tap & drag to adjust direction of vents/airflow (lot of new owners don't know this)
• Supplement with heated seats & wheel as needed
• Don't use Auto, otherwise it will do stupid, unpredictable things (just my opinion) ?

1. Doesn't address the issue of not enough heat
2. Not an acceptable solution for a $100k vehicle
3. Also not an acceptable solution for a $100k vehicle

If the rear vent thing fixes it, I will file a "bug" with my guide. If not, I will be filing a service ticket. This is one of those "write your senator" things...one person might not change anything but enough people complaining will at least put it on Rivian's radar that improvements need to be made.

 

[R1 EVY]

I just had the same issue. Support had me do all three resets and it did not seem to work so I made a service appt. Next time I drive the truck it was fine. I would try the reset options and see if it fixes it.

What are "all three resets"? I've done the "hazard/left turn outer button" reset, but don't know about the others.

I just use the rear seat vent trick and it works.

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