Have a 2012 F-250 and would like to be able to use voice commands for climate. Dealership tells me it wasn't equipped on that vehicle. Can the system be upgraded to add this? More important issue is I have remote start, but can't turn on heater or a/c or heated seats or any climate controls when remote started. What's the point of having remote start if you can't set the climate the way you want? I go through the menu on the steering wheel which I saw on an online video, but those options are not available. Just the ability to turn remote start on or off is all that's available. Any help or direction would be appreciated.

 

No voice commands for climate exist nor are there any options to allow this. My 2012 is the same way as far as your remote start question and there again I don't think there's anything you can do about it.

 

EDIT - hey, my 4,000th post.. I don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad one.. lol.

I think the voice commands for climate control are new to the '13's. You'd be better off trading yours in than retrofitting that system (new dash, head unit, etc).

As far as the climate controls when you remote start, it may look like they're not on since nothing's lit up on the dash, but based on the outside temps and/or your last settings, the system will run without any visual indicators. More details below.

Remote start and EMTC (Electronic Manual Temperature Control)...

When the remote start feature is used, the climate control system automatically sets certain parameters in an attempt to achieve a comfortable cabin temperature. These parameters are set based on outside air temperature. During remote start, the outside air temperature is continually evaluated and HVAC system behavior can change if the outside air changes between cold, moderate and warm temperatures.

For cold ambient air temperatures (below 0°C (32°F)):
-the airflow mode is set to FLOOR/DEFROST.
-the temperature is set to full HOT.
-the blower speed is set to HIGH.
-the air inlet mode is set to fresh air.
-the auxiliary electric heater is enabled if needed (diesel engines only) (if equipped).

For moderate ambient air temperatures (between 0°C (32°F) and 27°C (80°F)):
-the airflow mode is set to the last user setting.
-the temperature is set to the last user setting.
-the blower speed is set to the last user setting.
-the air inlet mode is set to the last user setting.
-the auxiliary electric heater is enabled if needed (diesel engines only) (if equipped).

For warm ambient air temperatures (above 27°C (80°F)):
-the airflow mode is set to MAX A/C.
-the temperature is set to full COOL.
-the blower speed is set to HIGH.
-the air inlet mode is set to RECIRC.
-the auxiliary electric heater is not enabled (diesel engines only) (if equipped).

 

Thanks for the replies. This is frustrating because I have seen videos that tell me the voice climate control is available. The climate control deal is actually something I would never use, but the remote start is something I would. I read your info on no lights coming on, and that's true, but when I get to the truck after 15 minutes....nothing. I have tried to leave everything on the night before when I turn it off to see if that works.....no luck.

I'll take it to the dealership and see what they say. They'll probably just confuse the situation even more.

Thanks.

 

What's the temperature where you're at and what motor do you have?

If it's below 32, the truck won't do anything until it's warmed up enough to provide heat (no sense in blowing cold air into the truck). So in that example, you probably wouldn't hear or feel the system come on, especially if you have a diesel (which don't seem to warm up much idling compared to a gasser). My 6.2 in the dead of winter usually doesn't even begin to start blowing warm air until about 10+ minutes of idling after sitting all night. And with the trucks max run time of 15minutes set on the remote start, I usually end up restarting the truck.

 

I have the 6.7 diesel. I live in Oklahoma so right now it's warm. Just tried it the other night. Temp was 37 when I remote started it. Got in it 15 minutes later and nothing. I'm probably expecting too much, but my previous '08 diesel would warm up pretty nice in the same amount of time. Guess I shouldn't compare the two.

 

That's probably why. If you get the truck up to normal operating temps, set the heater on high, turn the truck off, and then remote start it. It should start up with the heater on high. That would at least confirm whether the system is working properly.

Sounds like you could've benefited from the supplemental heater (assuming you don't have it).

 

Ok, I went out and looked at mine closer, with the truck at operating temp and running I turned the heat on with the temp and fan turned on their maximum settings. I then shut the truck off until the lights all went out on it, then I started it using the remote start. I then got into the truck to see what there was, and there was only a little air blowing out of the floor vent, not nearly the amount you'd get with the fan on high. I then put the key in and turned it on and at that point the heater then functioned fully with maximum fan, temp etc. So I stand corrected, there is SOME air that comes out of the floor vent, but it doesn't come on to the max settings I had on the heater and fan before shutting the truck off which is what I believe we're all saying that we'd like for it to do.