Heated Seat Retrofit

Hello All!

I did not wait for the dealer or GM to contact me. I checked on the Buick Owner Center website (everyday after checking the usual emails). - Made a desktop shortcut to the Buick Owners Site. Link below.

You can also check for recall information like this:

From The Buick Cellphone APP, but it just lists the DRL Recall for now (on my phone). Sample:

... Not sure why this image is so big!? 😀

From the Buick Site:
...and enter in your VIN. Sample:


Or in your Car from the Buick Infotainment App:

Sample:

The last 2 recalls just popped up, so I will keep you posted on the progress and results.
Parts ordered for heated seats today (3/16/2023).

Hello All!

My apologies for the delay in posting the update. It took a while to coordinate a time to do the retro-fits vs. doctor appointments.

Grab a cup of coffee, and read on! So here is the timeline for my heated seats/key fob retrofits:

Purchased car: 12/5/2022

Checked this site weekly: https://www.buick.com/ownercenter/recalls
... Then typed in the VIN.

DRL Recall hit already back in December, but I did not take it in as it did not seem that important. Figured I would just have it done with the 1st oil change. Also, the recall was present when I purchased the car, but was not done before delivery. Can't imagine why.

First recall for heated seat chips showed up on: 3/15/2023
Let my salesman know.

The next day, the Key Fob recall showed up. 3/16/2023,
Salesman said parts ordered.

Checked w/salesman status on 3/23/2023. Parts not ordered.

Checked w/salesman status on 3/27/2023. Parts not ordered.

Visited dealership on 3/28/2023. Parts ordered.

Visited dealership and Parts arrived on 4/5/2023, scheduled install for 4/27/2023.

I kept checking with my salesman because I thought he was supposed to take care of me after the sale, but was relegated to the back burner - I know, shocking revelation.

Also, there were times I stood at the parts counter for 20 minutes while the people there just sat looking at their computer screens without acknowledging me standing there - like there was some sort of contest to see how long this fool would wait until he said something. I was hoping my salesman could bypass this obstacle for me.

On the 3/28/2023 visit, I was passed to the service dept. The young lady there seemed to understand my predicament, and appreciate that I did not get upset. - I choose my battles, and this was not worth getting upset over. I have time to let the process play out. Once the parts were available (that was the hard part), it was just a matter of time to put them in.

So, the bottom line is: be patient, check the recall site yourself, find a person that seems willing to be of assistance, and follow up as needed. In the military I got into trouble many times for going through or around obstacles in my way. Some things never change.

Before you leave the service department after the recall installations are done:

• Check front and rear seat heat functionality.
• Check front seat ventilation functionality.
• Check key fob that is was programmed.
• If you had the Daytime running lights (DRL) recall done, check that the DRL's turn off when headlights are on.
• Look over the interior for sloppy work, oil stains on seats, and etc.

=========
4/27/2023 - All recalls performed. Heated seats work OK, and the front ventalated front seats - I can hear the fans, but for now do not feel anything. So I'll have to check on that when the weather gets warmer. The key fob was missing the key. I forgot that I had it already at home.

I just found some oily hand prints all over the rear seats that I had to clean off. I used Tuff Stuff foamy cleaner spray from the auto detailer area at Walmart. It was raining today, and the car was in the dark service dept. area so I did not see the stains until I got home.

If I forgot something, please feel free to add it below.

Always get copies of receipts for any work done. Service, recalls, etc. Anything. Even if it's free work.

While I was at the dealer, I saw they had 2 brand new Envision Avenirs on the lot. I looked at the Monroney stickers. Both had 3 Credit (Not Equipped) missing key safety items: Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert for $350. No mention of key fobs or heated seat chip retrofits.

I check the YouTubes frequently and search on Buick Envision Avenir. I sort the results by upload date - newest first. I have noticed that the cars in the reviews now have the heated seats, but some safety equipment is not available. I also noticed they do not have the air ionizers, lumbar supports, massaging seats, or any rear door and hatch area scuff plates installed. The reviews for the new Envista and Encore GX have the missing safety equipment that the Envisions do not have. How does that work?

Finally had my Heated / Vented seats and Key fob completed by the so called "Buick Service", this after they continued to say my recall parts had not come in yet after a month of waiting. So I contacted Buick.com "support" ( they know me quite well now ) and put in a formal complaint. So the next morning Buick Service called saying the parts came in ( like magic huh? ). So I drop off the Avenir, get a call 2 1/2 hours later that it was all done and ready to pick up. So I go to pick up the car and ask "where is my 2nd fob"?....oh, they left it in my car front cup holder, with the doors unlocked! WTF?.....so I grab the fob, take a walk around the car looking for dings or scratches from the knuckleheads in service, then open each door to check the interior. I get to the drivers side rear seat and see the bottom cushion is "bent" and not secured. So I take a photo and walk back into service yelling. The service manager ( who also knows me quite well now ) comes out to the Buick and sees the issue with the seat, this along with oil handprints all over the whisper beige seat backs and sides. 15 mins later the seat cushion is back down and corrected as to being smooth, secure and clean. After I get home i see even more oily hand prints I had to clean off. This on a 900 mile $50K Avenir.....this is why I hate dealers and their so called "service" with a passion.....good luck with your recalls folks...

Hello All!

I have remote started my car a few times since the chip retrofit. I noticed that the seats would automatically heat/cool depending on the outside temperature. It would also set the level (1-3 dots) as well, and gradually decrease it as the inside temperature would go up or down. Neat!

I forgot I set this in the Vehicle settings a while ago. I was not expecting it to work though. With the Equinox I had; a similar setting was in the infotainment system vehicle settings, but had no effect/was ignored. The service dept. said it was disabled for 'Safety' reasons. Anyway, it looks like (for now) it is working in the Envision.

Hello All!

Is it me or do the rear seat heat controls look like a robot face?
Wall-E or Hewey, Dewey, and Louie from Silent Running? 😅