Question about heat and your vents

EuroB6 · 11-11-2011, 06:05 PM

I want to know if this is normal or not in our cars. Right now it\'s getting cold in NJ. In the mornings, I set the temp to 74. I normally set the lower vents and middle(console) vents to work. After about a minute or so, the middle vents seems to blow at room temp, and not hot anymore. The lower vents continue to blow hot. If I switch to the upper vents, they blow hot as well. It\'s only the middle vents that dont blow hot air. Is this normal? According to my dealer, it is. I\'ve had two previous 3 series and they never behaved this way. I just want to make sure this is within normal operation and not an issue. Thanks!

Experimental · 11-11-2011, 07:17 PM

I have the same problem. I'm making a list of things to talk about with my service center when I take it in. This is one, and the driver side window won't always roll up without rolling back down on it's own first, which is a known issue.

EuroB6 · 11-11-2011, 07:28 PM

Ok. Good to hear. I'd like to hear from others as well. Your window issue sounds like the window regulator that can be replaced

RPM90 · 11-11-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EuroB6

I want to know if this is normal or not in our cars. Right now it\'s getting cold in NJ. In the mornings, I set the temp to 74. I normally set the lower vents and middle(console) vents to work. After about a minute or so, the middle vents seems to blow at room temp, and not hot anymore. The lower vents continue to blow hot. If I switch to the upper vents, they blow hot as well. It\'s only the middle vents that dont blow hot air. Is this normal? According to my dealer, it is. I\'ve had two previous 3 series and they never behaved this way. I just want to make sure this is within normal operation and not an issue. Thanks!

Normal.

Once the temp sensor senses that the cabin air is at your 74 degree setting, then there is no need to keep blowing hot air.
If it did then the cabin air temp would exceed your setting.

If you want constant hot air, set the temp to maximum. It'll keep blowing hot air

Even in manual mode the temp setting tells the system to regulate the air vent temp to the temp setting asked for.

Auto mode does the same thing but also controls the fan speed and which vents have air flow, unless you manually over ride it.

Tom K. · 11-11-2011, 09:17 PM

The dash vents will only blow heated air at the max 84o temp setting. I don't understand why BMW designed it this way, but it is what it is. To heat the car interior, use AUTO or direct the air to the floor vents.

Tom

dtwyim · 11-12-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom K.

The dash vents will only blow heated air at the max 84o temp setting. I don't understand why BMW designed it this way, but it is what it is. To heat the car interior, use AUTO or direct the air to the floor vents.

Tom

Maybe BMW thinks it is more comfortable to warm the cabin without hot air blowing directly in the face?

amancuso · 11-12-2011, 07:09 AM

They did it this way because they cheaped out by not putting a temp wheel on the dash for the mid-vents like they do in all the other cars.

TX78666 · 11-12-2011, 07:22 AM

I hate hot air blowing in my face. Having hot air at my feet and room-temperature air at my face is awesome.

Dackelone · 11-12-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amancuso

They did it this way because they cheaped out by not putting a temp wheel on the dash for the mid-vents like they do in all the other cars.

BMW heard our gripes about this and put a cold/hot blend switch on the new F20.

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I think part of the problem with the e82 climate controll is that even when in manual mode... the car still does what it wants too(ie it's still somewhat in auto mode still). It is what it is.

MilehighM3 · 11-12-2011, 08:05 AM

No BMW with auto climate control will blow hot air out the face vents. It's a safety issue as hot air makes the driver start to get sleepy over time and promotes falling asleep at the wheel. It's normal and there is no way to change it, fyi.

Tom K. · 11-12-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

No BMW with auto climate control will blow hot air out the face vents. It's a safety issue as hot air makes the driver start to get sleepy over time and promotes falling asleep at the wheel. It's normal and there is no way to change it, fyi.

Not quite. See earlier posts for the description of the dash temp control on current 3 series and the upcoming 1 series which allows heated air from the dash vents - even with the system set to "AUTO". And setting the temp to 84o will result in very hot air from the dash vents - useful for my wife when the cabrio top is lowered in cool wether .

Tom

aerobod · 11-12-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amancuso

They did it this way because they cheaped out by not putting a temp wheel on the dash for the mid-vents like they do in all the other cars.

E85/E86 Z4 never had this feature, either.

Tom K. · 11-12-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerobod

E85/E86 Z4 never had this feature, either.

The dash temp control really wasn't that much of issue as my E85 ('03 3.0) was probably one of the last Bimmers to be sold in the US with (gasp!) MANUAL HVAC! It was certainly nice to be able to push a button or turn a dial and know exactly what was going to happen...

Tom

Sylon · 11-12-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Experimental

I have the same problem. I'm making a list of things to talk about with my service center when I take it in. This is one, and the driver side window won't always roll up without rolling back down on it's own first, which is a known issue.

Try rolling the window all the way down, then, manually lift the window switch and continue to hold it up for 20-30 seconds. Mine did that on the first day of ownership, the dealer had me try holding the button up for about 30 seconds, hasn't happened since.

Mr Marcus · 11-14-2011, 05:32 PM

I find that the A/C works in a similar way, manual mode just doesn't seem to keep the car cool, even at 16' but AUTO does a great job and overrides the individual vent programs.

As for the air blend adjuster on the new 1er / current 3, all it does is vary the blend of hot air from the engine and cool air from outside, about as much use as a marzipan tyres.

TEAM SLO · 11-14-2011, 05:36 PM

My issue is a little different, when turning on the heat full blast, after 20 minutes or so, it will overheat the CD player amp (when playing a cd) and will display hi-temp for a couple minutes and then after another 10 minutes with no hot air blasting, will come back on.

amancuso · 11-15-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerobod

E85/E86 Z4 never had this feature, either.

Neither did my e36 318ti or my Z3.

Experimental · 11-18-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylon

Try rolling the window all the way down, then, manually lift the window switch and continue to hold it up for 20-30 seconds. Mine did that on the first day of ownership, the dealer had me try holding the button up for about 30 seconds, hasn't happened since.

Good info. I'll give this a shot tonight. Thanks!

gtjosh · 03-25-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEAM SLO

My issue is a little different, when turning on the heat full blast, after 20 minutes or so, it will overheat the CD player amp (when playing a cd) and will display hi-temp for a couple minutes and then after another 10 minutes with no hot air blasting, will come back on.

I just had this same issue happen to me. Except it wouldn't let me play any music.

lowbudgethero · 03-25-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEAM SLO

My issue is a little different, when turning on the heat full blast, after 20 minutes or so, it will overheat the CD player amp (when playing a cd) and will display hi-temp for a couple minutes and then after another 10 minutes with no hot air blasting, will come back on.

yep, had this happen to me too

the bmw's heater gets really effing hot though at full blast

11-11-2011, 06:05 PM	#1
EuroB6 Private First Class 8 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Sport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	Question about heat and your vents I want to know if this is normal or not in our cars. Right now it\'s getting cold in NJ. In the mornings, I set the temp to 74. I normally set the lower vents and middle(console) vents to work. After about a minute or so, the middle vents seems to blow at room temp, and not hot anymore. The lower vents continue to blow hot. If I switch to the upper vents, they blow hot as well. It\'s only the middle vents that dont blow hot air. Is this normal? According to my dealer, it is. I\'ve had two previous 3 series and they never behaved this way. I just want to make sure this is within normal operation and not an issue. Thanks! __________________ 2014 Porsche 911 S 2018 Audi S5 Sportback 2016 Challenger SRT Hellcat 2019 Audi Q7
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11-11-2011, 07:17 PM	#2
Experimental Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 297 Posts Drives: '14 328d M-sport Wagon Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canton, GA iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem. I'm making a list of things to talk about with my service center when I take it in. This is one, and the driver side window won't always roll up without rolling back down on it's own first, which is a known issue.
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11-11-2011, 07:28 PM	#3
EuroB6 Private First Class 8 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Sport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	Ok. Good to hear. I'd like to hear from others as well. Your window issue sounds like the window regulator that can be replaced __________________ 2014 Porsche 911 S 2018 Audi S5 Sportback 2016 Challenger SRT Hellcat 2019 Audi Q7
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11-11-2011, 09:17 PM	#5
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	The dash vents will only blow heated air at the max 84o temp setting. I don't understand why BMW designed it this way, but it is what it is. To heat the car interior, use AUTO or direct the air to the floor vents. Tom
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11-12-2011, 07:09 AM	#7
amancuso Lieutenant Colonel 726 Rep 1,758 Posts Drives: 330it, 428ix, 430i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, GA iTrader: (1)	They did it this way because they cheaped out by not putting a temp wheel on the dash for the mid-vents like they do in all the other cars. __________________ 2016 428ix, r, 2018 430iC, 2018 330it
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11-12-2011, 07:22 AM	#8
TX78666 Lieutenant 7 Rep 443 Posts Drives: e46 330i ZHP, N55 135i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: 78666 iTrader: (0)	I hate hot air blowing in my face. Having hot air at my feet and room-temperature air at my face is awesome. __________________ Because... grocery getter.
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11-12-2011, 08:05 AM	#10
MilehighM3 Brigadier General 915 Rep 3,456 Posts Drives: Harrop E90 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (14) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [6.50]	No BMW with auto climate control will blow hot air out the face vents. It's a safety issue as hot air makes the driver start to get sleepy over time and promotes falling asleep at the wheel. It's normal and there is no way to change it, fyi.
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11-14-2011, 05:32 PM	#15
Mr Marcus Objects in the rear view mirror are losing 11 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i N55 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	I find that the A/C works in a similar way, manual mode just doesn't seem to keep the car cool, even at 16' but AUTO does a great job and overrides the individual vent programs. As for the air blend adjuster on the new 1er / current 3, all it does is vary the blend of hot air from the engine and cool air from outside, about as much use as a marzipan tyres. __________________ 2011 135i N55 \| Black \| M Sport \| DCT \| Sunroof \| Pro Nav \| Alpine Hi-Fi \| Commbox \| Tint \| blah blah
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11-14-2011, 05:36 PM	#16
TEAM SLO Slo'est E90 around 36 Rep 300 Posts Drives: 135i gone, 2011 335IX e90 6mt Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: denver iTrader: (0)	My issue is a little different, when turning on the heat full blast, after 20 minutes or so, it will overheat the CD player amp (when playing a cd) and will display hi-temp for a couple minutes and then after another 10 minutes with no hot air blasting, will come back on.
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