ConnectedDrive - Auxiliary heating/ventilation Function

[Furbz]

Hi Guys,

So through the Connected Drive App and Webpage there is an option to use the Auxiliary heating/ventilation to heat or cool the car "The auxiliary heating/ventilation cools or heats the interior of your vehicle depending on the outside temperature"
i was told this only uses the fans, not the A/C or the Heating.

is this true and if so can the car be coded to use the AC or heating?
we get extremely hot weather in certain parts of RSA (40C+ in the middle of the day)
having the car cool the cabin down with the A/C would be extremely nice if possible

if it's not possible to use the A/C and heating how effective is this function in reality?

[CatalinP]

A/C compressor is driven by the engine, so no, it is not possible.
In order to heat the car you need it to have the optional auxiliary heating.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Furbz

if it's not possible to use the A/C and heating how effective is this function in reality?

If your BMW doesn’t have the aux heater (or isn’t an E model (electric that can turn on the AC compressor)...then using the HVAC blower to vent ambient temp air though the cabin is like the difference coming back to the car on a hot summers day that has the windows down vs one that has been closed up all day with the sun radiating down. The difference may be like coming back to a car that is 80°-90° F versus 110°-120° F

[mrfochon]

Being in nyc with close to 100F / 35C these days, I don't even bother.
Go to the car open the door / windows for 5 min while setting in. Start the engine and AC at max. Waiting 5 - 10 min it's cooked.
Though I agree the AC could be better.
Read in another thread that a guy added some Freon and made his AC way better.

[Qsilver7]

On 100°F/35°C days...if you know what time you’ll becoming back to the car...you can set one of the parked car timers to turn on approx 30 minutes prior to your return to the car...then as you’re getting close to the car...use the convenience open feature to lower the windows.

Again, it won’t be like turning the AC on...but it won’t be the steaming oven it would have been without prior venting of the car.

[djrabbi]

I wish my app would work lol