[Closed] BMW climate control (possibly stupid) questions

Does it not change the air distribution depending on what you are trying to do?  Heat the car = face and feet, override/fast defrost = windscreen, maintain temp = feet and windscreen etc?

16 degrees and red may mean it will heat to 16, 28 and blue means it will cool to 28.  i.e. you are telling the car you are comfortable between 16 and 28.  So normally you would have the temperature range much tighter, say 19 to 23.

P.S I'm making lots of assumptions, I do not have a BMW but this is how my Honda does things

I'm in a similar position with a 5, it's far too manual for my liking. I won't be buying snother beemer, just because of this!

There are lots of threads about this in the wider web.

<span style="color: #444444; background-color: #eeeeee;">Every morning, actually every time, I get in my car it defaults to face and feet.</span>

It's a "feature" on quite a few cars. It's to ensure that any moist air that's stagnant in the system doesn't get directed onto the screen when you initially start up. The last car I had that did this automatically changed the airflow back to the screen once the AC was run up.

Radical thought but is it something to do with it defaulting to the setting that produces the most effective/energy efficient heating and cooling?

I think in all the climate controlled cars we've had all have blown into the passenger area as the dominant place.

Really you only need air over the screen when there's a condensation/misting issue. The rest of the time the a/c output is to make the occupant comfy.

Forgive me if I'm missing something but why would you want it to default to the one place it makes least difference to the car's occupants?

Edit and what was said above makes sense too.

Have you got the air con on auto. If so deep ding on temp the car directs air where it wants. If I press the windscreen button mine stays there but it switches to manual (non BMW). It might be that the system defaults to auto.

Just press the Auto button? That’s all I do. Then whack the demist button if that’s what it needs, but that’s quite rare.

You can do it manually, but it’s a faff and I’ve not had too in a couple of years.

I'm not aware of it changing the air distribution depending on what I'm trying to do, as above it's pretty manual. Apologies - the 16 and red thing is two separate dials, you could have both "bottom" digital dials on 16 and the "top" coloured dial on red even if the ambient temp was higher than 16... dear me, I've confused myself just writing that.

In terms of why I always have it on the windscreen.. habit mainly, I alway just have it on a low power setting against the screen (it also blows through little vents toward the front windows).. it'll heat up the cabin one way or another.

Interesting point about not blowing stagnant moist air on the screen - hadn't heard of or considered that.

Cheers for the replies

I don't really use the Auto button... it just makes a lot of noise and seems to set everything to max attack.. Was much easier in my shitty little fiesta with it's big manual plastic dials.. was also pretty handy in the snow with its skinny tyres.. hmmmmm

The top dial controls the air  temperature coming out of the central fascia vents , facing you. I leave my car on auto, set at 20 degrees all year round and vary the temperature of the air hitting me from the vents depending on how I feel . I think the idea is warm feet/cabin but localised cold air to your face if you set the top dial on blue, for instance. I've had BMWs for a while (even a white one!!) and think it's a great idea.

If you direct all of the air to the screen, I don't think the top dial makes a diffference because there is no air coming out at the fascia vents.

Do you use one key? Most settings are stored when the car is locked. If you then grab a different key you will be opening it to that keys last lock settings.

I only use 2 settings on my 3 series, auto or I hit the windscreen button. Auto really only in summer. It defualts to auto when I start it up, never the winscreen demister even if that was the last setting used. Can't say it bothers me, it only takes a second to change it.

I do tend to use the one key so I don't think this is impacting it. Maybe I just need to get with the times and use auto + windscreen button when required.

Thanks for the tip on the blue/red dial too - I hadn't realised this was just for temps coming out of the central fascia vent. Cheers!

Don't understand the problem. I've had 4 5 series in a row and no problem. Important (I think) to leave the heating on Auto and it takes care of everything. I would recommend not pointing the face vents at you but up a bit and straight down middle of car. The red/blue dial between the central face vents I only use on cold mornings because if you set it on red it provides heat early.

Not sure about the 1 series, but the 5 series will have auto, but you can also manually adjust the blower speeds whilst in Auto (but not to the full degree, it's more a comfort thing).  As Mark said, if it's the same, the centre red/blue dial will change the centre vents ONLY to have warm or cold air coming out, again it's a comfort thing and actually very good - i..e use it if you feel tied and put cool air on your chops.

Also another feature (in the 5 at least), if you turn the aircon off, it will turn itself back on to remove the moisture on the screen if it detects it - i really like that feature..

I don't understand why people get upset by the Bummer UI for controls and iDrive, it's by far the best system and bloomin easy to use after all of about 10 mins practice.

I have a  1 series - 2013 - and its as above.  I leave it on auto and set the temp.   The "fan speed" becomes "how aggressively you want the car to reach temperature" setting in Auto mode.

Otherwise, can't see the issue.  If the screen needs delisting (not often) just hit the windscreen button temporarily.

I have an 11 year old Mazda that automatically changes the outputs based on that the 'Auto' settings thinks it should be doing.

I just leave it to do it.