Question for those in cold climates... - XBimmers

Midwest X6 · 12-02-2012, 02:46 PM

Do you keep your AC on the entire winter? In my older BMW's I used to turn it off, now I'm re-thinking that based on how well the AC can remove humidity..

Thoughts?

gareth3685 · 12-02-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Do you keep your AC on the entire winter? In my older BMW's I used to turn it off, now I'm re-thinking that based on how well the AC can remove humidity..

Thoughts?

I tend to keep mine off, that's because I'm a tight a$$ and think (probably rightly) that I get better consumption with it deactived.

If its really wet and damp I'll switch it on to clear the condensation otherwise its off until those 2/3 days in July when its warm enough to warrant it

rmeir · 12-02-2012, 03:42 PM

in some cars the compressor runs all the time regardless of what u set it at. the defroster activates the air compressor so its basically the same thing, if you turn on defrost it turns on a/c. if the air is on, at least in my humble experience what happens it that the air is routed differently so there is more cold air. up to you but I dont know if you save a lot its not like old cars that a.c visibly affected performance

HighlandPete · 12-02-2012, 05:05 PM

If temperatures fluctuate around freezing, and humidity changes in your environment, I've found it best if left on, keeps the car dry inside and misting doesn't start to form.

Variable output compressors use very little power when in colder temperatures, so not like summer use for power/fuel consumption.

HighlandPete

scotta2 · 12-02-2012, 06:03 PM

Keep mine on most of the time, never noticed all that much difference in fuel consumption and it keeps the humidity right and clears condensation during winter.

02420X3 · 12-02-2012, 06:40 PM

I never touch the snowflake. It stays on all year long.

Nahoa · 12-02-2012, 06:58 PM

+1

northX3 · 12-02-2012, 07:32 PM

better to keep it on if it's below freezing.
too much humidity inside the vehicle may make frost inside your windows on the next morning. as a side note, keeping a lot of snow inside (on the carpets, for example) will give the same problem if it finds a way to melt.

Nahoa · 12-02-2012, 09:07 PM

? The A/C takes moisture out of the air. Where would the additional humidity come from?

colson79 · 12-03-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

? The A/C takes moisture out of the air. Where would the additional humidity come from?

I know for me, I get snow on my shoes and get into the warm vehicle and the snow melts on the floor mats creating the humidity. I leave the snowflake on because it cuts down the fogging on the inside of the windows.

BeeMdblU · 12-03-2012, 10:24 PM

in previous cars the compressor won't kick in if temps are below 5celsius, not sure about F25.

Nahoa · 12-03-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colson79

I know for me, I get snow on my shoes and get into the warm vehicle and the snow melts on the floor mats creating the humidity. I leave the snowflake on because it cuts down the fogging on the inside of the windows.

Thanks and apologies. I misread your earlier post and confused myself. Get your suggestion entirely now.

snowboardjoe · 12-04-2012, 01:21 PM

Enabled all year long for me. The only time I turn it off is when I have all of the windows down on a warm/cool day. In Seattle it stays damp all the time and it was like that in North Carolina too in the mornings. Dehumidification is essential.

Think of the AC button as an "enable" function. It allows the AC compressor to be engaged automatically based on demands and control settings. It does not mean it's always engaged.

The AC is pretty smart on BMW's (for years) by using a multi-stage approach for efficiency and demand. Any AC system will not come on when it's really cold--law of physics. However, I believe it can still cycle if you are recirculating the air and it's warm enough in the cabin. If the air is cold enough outside, warming it up is usually more than enough to dry it out. I think front defrost button triggers full fan, full heat, AC, all vents on windshield and full recirculation.

BMWrules7 · 12-06-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

? The A/C takes moisture out of the air. Where would the additional humidity come from?

The added humidity comes from the human body.

Rodion · 12-06-2012, 09:49 AM

I keep mine on all the time. I think BMW compressor knows itself when not to run. Ie. Not to run in too cold temperatures.

And I have been told that it is not good to keep ac off all winter, because the compressor might get stuck on lack of lubricant. For example in warm parking houses the compressor runs and gets lubrication even if it is cold outside.

12-02-2012, 02:46 PM	#1
Midwest X6 Lieutenant Drives: 2013 X3 28xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest Posts: 562 iTrader: (4)	Question for those in cold climates... Do you keep your AC on the entire winter? In my older BMW's I used to turn it off, now I'm re-thinking that based on how well the AC can remove humidity.. Thoughts? __________________ Current Ride: 2013\28xi\Deep Sea Blue\Oyster Nevada Leather\Fineline Sienna Trim\Sport Activity \Cold Weather\Premium\Comfort Access\Navigation\Panoramic Moon Roof\BMW Assist Previous Rides: E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, E71 X6 50i, E71 X6 35i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
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12-02-2012, 06:58 PM	#7
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	+1 __________________

12-02-2012, 09:07 PM	#9
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	? The A/C takes moisture out of the air. Where would the additional humidity come from? __________________

12-04-2012, 01:21 PM	#13
snowboardjoe Enlisted Member Drives: 2013 X3 28i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 43 iTrader: (0)	Enabled all year long for me. The only time I turn it off is when I have all of the windows down on a warm/cool day. In Seattle it stays damp all the time and it was like that in North Carolina too in the mornings. Dehumidification is essential. Think of the AC button as an "enable" function. It allows the AC compressor to be engaged automatically based on demands and control settings. It does not mean it's always engaged. The AC is pretty smart on BMW's (for years) by using a multi-stage approach for efficiency and demand. Any AC system will not come on when it's really cold--law of physics. However, I believe it can still cycle if you are recirculating the air and it's warm enough in the cabin. If the air is cold enough outside, warming it up is usually more than enough to dry it out. I think front defrost button triggers full fan, full heat, AC, all vents on windshield and full recirculation. __________________ Joe Morris Last edited by snowboardjoe; 12-04-2012 at 01:24 PM. Reason: Added middle paragraph for more info.

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12-02-2012, 03:42 PM	#3
rmeir Private First Class Drives: x3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: chicago il Posts: 148 iTrader: (0)	in some cars the compressor runs all the time regardless of what u set it at. the defroster activates the air compressor so its basically the same thing, if you turn on defrost it turns on a/c. if the air is on, at least in my humble experience what happens it that the air is routed differently so there is more cold air. up to you but I dont know if you save a lot its not like old cars that a.c visibly affected performance

12-02-2012, 05:05 PM	#4
HighlandPete Colonel Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region Posts: 2,913 iTrader: (0)	If temperatures fluctuate around freezing, and humidity changes in your environment, I've found it best if left on, keeps the car dry inside and misting doesn't start to form. Variable output compressors use very little power when in colder temperatures, so not like summer use for power/fuel consumption. HighlandPete

12-02-2012, 06:03 PM	#5
scotta2 Private Drives: MY2013 F25 X3 M Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Falkirk UK Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	Keep mine on most of the time, never noticed all that much difference in fuel consumption and it keeps the humidity right and clears condensation during winter.

12-02-2012, 06:40 PM	#6
02420X3 Lieutenant Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 547 iTrader: (0)	I never touch the snowflake. It stays on all year long.

12-02-2012, 07:32 PM	#8
northX3 Private Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	better to keep it on if it's below freezing. too much humidity inside the vehicle may make frost inside your windows on the next morning. as a side note, keeping a lot of snow inside (on the carpets, for example) will give the same problem if it finds a way to melt.

12-03-2012, 10:24 PM	#11
BeeMdblU Private First Class Drives: Audi A4, CLK55, F25 35M Join Date: May 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 122 iTrader: (0)	in previous cars the compressor won't kick in if temps are below 5celsius, not sure about F25.

12-06-2012, 09:49 AM	#15
Rodion Second Lieutenant Drives: X3 (F25) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 229 iTrader: (0)	I keep mine on all the time. I think BMW compressor knows itself when not to run. Ie. Not to run in too cold temperatures. And I have been told that it is not good to keep ac off all winter, because the compressor might get stuck on lack of lubricant. For example in warm parking houses the compressor runs and gets lubrication even if it is cold outside.