[tagz]

At max AC, the driver vent blows less air than the central vents.

Anyone experience this?

Is this normal for a BMW? I had a Mercedes and it definitely was NOT the case!

[beto_L.A.]

I have the same problem with my '09 LCI E90...took it to the dealer and was told that is normal because is the register farthest from the blower,
This means that the blower is on the
Passengers side??

[tagz]

Originally Posted by beto_L.A.

I have the same problem with my '09 LCI E90...took it to the dealer and was told that is normal because is the register farthest from the blower,
This means that the blower is on the
Passengers side??

That does not sound right to me... What about the rear vents then... they are far too!

[warmtoes]

It was like that on my 135 cabriolet and is a bit better in my X3 but it is lower on the edge than in the middle.

[tagz]

Originally Posted by warmtoes

It was like that on my 135 cabriolet and is a bit better in my X3 but it is lower on the edge than in the middle.

That is a very disappointing.. My Mercedes was very good at this atleast

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by tagz

At max AC, the driver vent blows less air than the central vents....

Can't say I notice very much of a difference (or care about it), but every car I've had typically has more flow from the center vents (they're usually somewhat larger) than the side vents, and are closer to the blower. If you want to balance it, you can simply turn down the damper adjustments on the center vents and leave the outer ones wide open.

If you're really serious about this you should immediately buy a professional air-flow meter. In fact, If I were you I'd order one or two today!

See:
http://www.professionalequipment.com...n-anemometers/

[clivem2]

I think you want more airflow in the centre to help cool the central core of the car. Equal flow to all vents would not be my preferred option.

[tagz]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Can't say I notice very much of a difference (or care about it), but every car I've had typically has more flow from the center vents (they're usually somewhat larger) than the side vents, and are closer to the blower. If you want to balance it, you can simply turn down the damper adjustments on the center vents and leave the outer ones wide open.

If you're really serious about this you should immediately buy a professional air-flow meter. In fact, If I were you I'd order one or two today!

See:
http://www.professionalequipment.com...n-anemometers/

Now, that is being very very serious.. I am afraid I am not
I must admit that it bothers me a little as I am used to Mercedes which blows equal air..

So, how do I turn down the damper adjustments for X3?

[warmtoes]

In reality I don't notice it in everyday driving. Never did in the 135 and don't notice now in the X3. The newer BMW's have way better heating and cooling so the cabin gets to temp fairly quick so the airflow level by vent isn't an issue.

If you want to try to balance it you can adjust the flow dials on the middle vents to reduce them and thereby equalize them to the side one.

[xDrive35i]

I used to think this was a problem, but then I realized the steering wheel can block direct air flow from the vents. Try redirecting the vents to bounce air off the windows and headliner.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by tagz

Now, that is being very very serious.. I am afraid I am not
I must admit that it bothers me a little as I am used to Mercedes which blows equal air..

So, how do I turn down the damper adjustments for X3?

The center vent flow is controlled by the two thumbwheel knobs adjacent to (outside) the vents (labeled "0" for closed and "I" for open). If you set those at approximately 1/3 of the way open ( with the marker about 1/2 inch from the "O'), and set the outer vent fully open, the flow from the outer vents will increase as the flow from the center vents is reduced.

This will reduce the amount of air that's blown to the rear of the car from the center vents but will definitely increase the airflow to the outer dash vents, at least it does on my X3.

[tagz]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

The center vent flow is controlled by the two thumbwheel knobs adjacent to (outside) the vents (labeled "0" for closed and "I" for open). If you set those at approximately 1/3 of the way open ( with the marker about 1/2 inch from the "O'), and set the outer vent fully open, the flow from the outer vents will increase as the flow from the center vents is reduced.

This will reduce the amount of air that's blown to the rear of the car from the center vents but will definitely increase the airflow to the outer dash vents, at least it does on my X3.

Thanks Lotus! I knew this.. I thought you meant some settings via idrive... my bad!

btw, I had it checked by the dealer.. he said it is normal!

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by tagz

Thanks Lotus! I knew this.. I thought you meant some settings via idrive... my bad!

btw, I had it checked by the dealer.. he said it is normal!

Yea, Thought you probably already were well aware of the little knobs, but "you never know". I've learned to never assume anything when posting on an Internet forum. I suspect that there are people driving around in X3s who have no idea that their car doesn't have a spare tire and who will be very surprised when they get a flat and look in trunk for the jack.

BTW: Even though in this case what your dealer said is actually true. Just as often it's not. IMHO, the typical BMW dealer, at least the people in the sales section, often are not well informed about features of the car, and often just "blow smoke" if they don't know the correct answer.

[tagz]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Yea, Thought you probably already were well aware of the little knobs, but "you never know". I've learned to never assume anything when posting on an Internet forum. I suspect that there are people driving around in X3s who have no idea that their car doesn't have a spare tire and who will be very surprised when they get a flat and look in trunk for the jack.

BTW: Even though in this case what your dealer said is actually true. Just as often it's not. IMHO, the typical BMW dealer, at least the people in the sales section, often are not well informed about features of the car, and often just "blow smoke" if they don't know the correct answer.

Very true!