Cold Draft?

[Nailbiter]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I've felt this more than once...
When its REALLY cold (<0), when I'm cranking the steering wheel right or left, I feel a draft coming in?!
I haven't got down to look closely at the steering column, but I'm guessing its coming through the firewall and pass the steering column somehow.
Rather insignificant, but none the less annoying when its -10 outside.

Anyone else notice this?
If so, anyone find the cause or a fix?

[L R H]

Do you think the HVAC fan is running on low, and you moving your arm around just allows you to feel it? When I get in a cold truck that has not been pre heated; I turn the fan to the lowest position, but not off, and if set on defrost or floor heat positions, there will be very little airflow, but there will still be some airflow. With your face/neck and hands the only exposed it might be just the low airflow speed combined with your arms and upper body moving around stirring up just enough airflow to make you notice it. At -10º going from a .25 mph breeze to a 2mph breeze for just a second would be noticeable. If it is indeed a leak @ column to firewall juncture, I think you would hear quite a bit of noise, especially with a truck as quiet as the Tundra is. That is my SWAG.

[mtusrsmith]

Originally Posted by Nailbiter

Maybe I'm crazy, but I've felt this more than once...
When its REALLY cold (<0), when I'm cranking the steering wheel right or left, I feel a draft coming in?!
I haven't got down to look closely at the steering column, but I'm guessing its coming through the firewall and pass the steering column somehow.
Rather insignificant, but none the less annoying when its -10 outside.

Anyone else notice this?
If so, anyone find the cause or a fix?

Not to ignore the subject of tramp air infiltrating the cabin, but the only cold draft I am interested in is a big Miller Lite at happy hour!!!!!

[alopez84074]

No I dont think that you are crazy. I drive over a mountain pass every day to work and i have noticed the same thing with mine.

[asianflava]

I've noticed it too. With the heat on and set to floor, I feel some coldness coming in.

[Nailbiter]

Well at least I'm not crazy.
I dont think its due to my arm moving in front of the vent while turning since by the time I feel this cold draft, the truck is plenty warm and kicking out hot air from the vents.
Everything is nice and toasty inside, and then all of a sudden its like someone cracked a window.
Maybe I'll take a closer look at it this weekend since its supposed to "warm-up" to the thirties!!

[FIVEPOINTSEVEN]

Originally Posted by mtusrsmith

Not to ignore the subject of tramp air infiltrating the cabin, but the only cold draft I am interested in is a big Miller Lite at happy hour!!!!!

Exactly the first thing I thought!! Where's the darn beer?!!!

[L R H]

Don't you think a hole in the firewall large enough to feel a breeze from, would also transmit a lot of noise?, could be a small leak in ductwork that is bypasing the heater core.

[jcicho]

I notice the same thing, It's been frickin' cold the last few weeks. I think that its from the cold air that has been sitting in the floor ducts, and under the seats.

[2DLAKE]

-45F for a week a couple weeks ago...no cold draft noticed, and trust me, if there was air getting into the cab at those temps it'd be tough to not notice!!!