BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-15-2012, 03:38 PM   #1
cadman50
Lieutenant
United_States
103
Rep
590
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i, 2021 X3 M40i
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Eastern Mass

iTrader: (0)

Temperature control thumbwheel on dash

I'm still puzzled why that's there. If you have automatic climate control, then you set the temperature at a desired point. If you want the temperature to go higher, you just turn up the dial. Same for lower...turn down the dial setting from, say 70 degrees to 68. But by turning the thumbwheel up or down aren't you accomplishing the same thing?
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2012, 03:59 PM   #2
jt2
Annoyance
United_States
2
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: Yes
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Do you mean the blue/red air mixture thumbwheel on the center main vent?
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2012, 04:35 PM   #3
cadman50
Lieutenant
United_States
103
Rep
590
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i, 2021 X3 M40i
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Eastern Mass

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jt2 View Post
Do you mean the blue/red air mixture thumbwheel on the center main vent?
yes. If you have the auto climate control temp set 70 degrees, then by rotating the thumbwheel towards the red the temperature of the air coming out of the vents becomes more warm and vica-versa. So if yo want warmer air out of the vents, why not just turn the auto climate temp control setting up a few degrees?
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2012, 04:54 PM   #4
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

It is simply a fine tuning of face vent air temperature.

You can run the cabin temperature on the auto setting and have the option to blend to face as you desire.

Been a feature of BMW models for years, and from my perspective one of the best features, which makes Climate Control a decent bit of kit, and much easier to live with.

For me, as an example, in winter time can have a warm cabin, but a bit of fresh air to the face "blended perfectly" to whatever temperature I want.

HighlandPete
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2012, 11:54 PM   #5
96_Impreza
Private First Class
96_Impreza's Avatar
12
Rep
140
Posts

Drives: 96 Impreza,07 Vette,11 X3 35i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (0)

Thanks, HighlandPete. I've wondered also but didn't find anything in the manual.
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 04:27 AM   #6
NordicBMW
Private
NordicBMW's Avatar
Norway
0
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 / 2013 X1
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Norway

iTrader: (0)

My X3 is my first car with this feature. At first I didn't see the point but now I've started to really appreciate it. The same goes for the kids in the backseat.
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 04:48 AM   #7
midlifecrisis
Major
midlifecrisis's Avatar
804
Rep
1,206
Posts

Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

I love this feature. Whenever I get into a car without it I can never seem to fine-tune the climate control to my taste. I find it most useful on dreary summer days when you have to run the compressor to keep fog off the windows. You can adjust the air coming out of the vents so they don't freeze you out of your seat.

This is just another little detail that every premium car should have.
__________________
2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017)
2019 230i X-drive
2022 M3 base
2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon
SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 07:42 AM   #8
lbjgh
Lieutenant Colonel
lbjgh's Avatar
Canada
104
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North of Toronto

iTrader: (0)

I too was skeptical about the benefits of this fine tuning dial but I am a fan of it now.

The seats are not ventilated so i keep the cabin temperature a little cooler than previous cars and adjust the dash outlet dial to the middle position. If it is humid or very hot outside I just dial in a little more cool air. Cool.

Btw even Hyundai has ventilated seats... What gives with bmw?

Last edited by lbjgh; 08-18-2012 at 10:09 AM..
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 08:54 AM   #9
midwest 340xi 6sp
Lieutenant Colonel
midwest 340xi 6sp's Avatar
United_States
358
Rep
1,797
Posts

Drives: 2018 340xi
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The Great Midwest

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
It is simply a fine tuning of face vent air temperature.

You can run the cabin temperature on the auto setting and have the option to blend to face as you desire.

Been a feature of BMW models for years, and from my perspective one of the best features, which makes Climate Control a decent bit of kit, and much easier to live with.

For me, as an example, in winter time can have a warm cabin, but a bit of fresh air to the face "blended perfectly" to whatever temperature I want.

HighlandPete
This is exactly right....I can have nice warm air on my toes in the winter and cooler air to my face...It's a simple and effective feature..

I remember when I bought an E60 5'er and they didn't have it - I couldn't believe they did away with it...

Then I realized (in typical bmw fashion) they put it in the idrive and made it electronic On my E92 M3 it's back to a simple wheel, and glad to see it that way on the F25 too
__________________
Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 10:04 AM   #10
rmeir
Private First Class
23
Rep
160
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: chicago il

iTrader: (0)

doesnt that just direct air flow?
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 10:13 AM   #11
lbjgh
Lieutenant Colonel
lbjgh's Avatar
Canada
104
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North of Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Nop. There are dials on either side of the vents to control flow. The middle dial controls temp.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmeir View Post
doesnt that just direct air flow?
__________________
2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2012, 11:45 AM   #12
cadman50
Lieutenant
United_States
103
Rep
590
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i, 2021 X3 M40i
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Eastern Mass

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
It is simply a fine tuning of face vent air temperature.

You can run the cabin temperature on the auto setting and have the option to blend to face as you desire.

Been a feature of BMW models for years, and from my perspective one of the best features, which makes Climate Control a decent bit of kit, and much easier to live with.

For me, as an example, in winter time can have a warm cabin, but a bit of fresh air to the face "blended perfectly" to whatever temperature I want.

HighlandPete
Nice feature.....I guess. I've yet to really use it other than setting it for max red or blue depending on the season. Actually I turn off the top vents in the winter preferring to have heat coming up from the bottom and rising thruout the cabin and using the heated steering wheel which is really nice. But in the summer I like to have those vents open especially on the hot days when I'm using AC. That's when I could see turning it towards warmer a little so I don't get frozen in the face. Thanks.
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2012, 11:39 AM   #13
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmeir View Post
doesnt that just direct air flow?
No, this is definitely a temperature control. Description as for the E9x model IHKA system.

Quote:
Front Stratification Adjustment Thumbwheel
The thumbwheel signal is wired directly to the IHKA control unit as an analog/varying voltage signal. The IHKA panel sends the specific position signal to the front mixing flap motor via the LIN bus.
HighlandPete
Appreciate 1
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:59 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST