Heat/Cool Dial on front dash vents

Trek4884 · 02-07-2019, 10:30 AM

Hey! What's the deal with the red and blue heat/cool dials on the air vents on the front dash? If I can adjust the temperature digitally and set it at a specific temp i.e.74 degrees then why are there dials on the vents to also adjust the temps??

anon1000 · 02-07-2019, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trek4884

Hey! What's the deal with the red and blue heat/cool dials on the air vents on the front dash? If I can adjust the temperature digitally and set it at a specific temp i.e.74 degrees then why are there dials on the vents to also adjust the temps??

that's a damn good question.

RED_Y_ · 02-07-2019, 11:02 AM

These are super confusing but as far as I understand these are like a ventilation temperature, when you take some air from outside you adjust how cold/warm it's going to be. I checked in the manual but never found the clear answer.

Rotzy · 02-07-2019, 11:20 AM

Welcome to German over-engineering. BMWs have had this dial for years.

alphaod · 02-07-2019, 11:31 AM

It you set it to hot it will give you warm air even in the summer and you have the temps low.

And vice versa. I like it. For example I don’t want it always blowing dry warm in my face in the winter.

The Libertine · 02-07-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaod

It you set it to hot it will give you warm air even in the summer and you have the temps low.

And vice versa. I like it. For example I don’t want it always blowing dry warm in my face in the winter.

Agree. I like the ability to make a manual adjustment to my individual preference.

Wavy · 02-07-2019, 11:49 AM

Leave it in the middle and pretend it's not there

CatalinP · 02-07-2019, 11:56 AM

RTFM!

Trek4884 · 02-07-2019, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wavy

Leave it in the middle and pretend it's not there

Yes, I think that's the best thing to do. This morning was so cold, so I was fiddling with it and the temps were all over the place....too hot, too cool, couldn't get the air right between the two different control settings. Just thought I was missing some feature about it other than what seemed obvious....."over-engineering" sounds about right, that or it was a long time feature BMW is having a hard time phasing out.

CatalinP · 02-07-2019, 12:35 PM

You adjust the average temperature you desire using the dial on the climate control panel, then you adjust that wheel towards red zone if you prefer warmer air blown through the top vents, meaning colder air will be blown towards the footrest in order to keep the average temperature as set.
If you prefer colder air on top, you do it the other way.

Trek4884 · 02-07-2019, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinP

You adjust the average temperature you desire using the dial on the climate control panel, then you adjust that wheel towards red zone if you prefer warmer air blown through the top vents, meaning colder air will be blown towards the footrest in order to keep the average temperature as set.
If you prefer colder air on top, you do it the other way.

I think this makes the most sense. If you have foot air on and want cooler/warmer air above. Nice....thank you.

sromeo440 · 02-07-2019, 01:00 PM

I have been confused by how to best use this too. This board a great resource as always.

gqgambler · 02-07-2019, 01:15 PM

A bit over the top. A bit useless. But for some reason I always find myself using them.

TheUltimateDrivingManiac · 02-07-2019, 01:59 PM

That's very important feature.

Hate hot air blowing into my face - I love to keep my head cool. So it's always in "blue".

smyles · 02-07-2019, 02:42 PM

I bet BMW will soon get rid of it, to please (= not confuse) general masses. Same masses that complained re turn and wiper stalks.

The Libertine · 02-07-2019, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smyles

I bet BMW will soon get rid of it, to please (= not confuse) general masses. Same masses that complained re turn and wiper stalks.

Feature is removed from the G05 X5. Which is sad, because it was utilized by BMW for years, and something I looked at - and considered as being “quintessentially BMW.”

smyles · 02-07-2019, 03:41 PM

Well, RIP yet another thing that distinguished BMW from others....

r33_RGSport · 02-07-2019, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Feature is removed from the G05 X5. Which is sad, because it was utilized by BMW for years, and something I looked at - and considered as being "quintessentially BMW."

Features still there, BMW just hide it inside the iDrive menu instead of physical dials.

I think the dial is very useful, because 70° hot and 70° cold gave you 2 different feeling.
So, summer time, I leave my AC at auto with 70° temp and full blue on the dial, and vice versa.

The Libertine · 02-07-2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Features still there, BMW just hide it inside the iDrive menu instead of physical dials.

I think the dial is very useful, because 70° hot and 70° cold gave you 2 different feeling.
So, summer time, I leave my AC at auto with 70° temp and full blue on the dial, and vice versa.

Yeah, but a lot easier to adjust with the spin of a dial than fiddling with iDrive though.

r33_RGSport · 02-07-2019, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Features still there, BMW just hide it inside the iDrive menu instead of physical dials.

I think the dial is very useful, because 70° hot and 70° cold gave you 2 different feeling.
So, summer time, I leave my AC at auto with 70° temp and full blue on the dial, and vice versa.

Yeah, but a lot easier to adjust with the spin of a dial than fiddling with iDrive though.

True.
I don't like it too.

On my G30, I have to go to the iDrive and change it everyday. Sucks.

smyles · 02-07-2019, 06:05 PM

can it be programmed to one of the preset buttons?

Maverik259 · 02-07-2019, 08:43 PM

I've never used it. I always prefer it to just be cold. Plus I don't like the feet to be warmer than the top when I have the AC on which really annoys me when I'm in AUTO. on long drives my feet get pretty warm and I've always wondered if engine heat was leaking into the cabin and now I know it effing is! So if I put this dial in the "middle" will it just be cold all over? Or equal temp above and below?

02-07-2019, 10:30 AM	#1
Trek4884 New Member 1 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Heat/Cool Dial on front dash vents Hey! What's the deal with the red and blue heat/cool dials on the air vents on the front dash? If I can adjust the temperature digitally and set it at a specific temp i.e.74 degrees then why are there dials on the vents to also adjust the temps??
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02-07-2019, 11:02 AM	#3
RED_Y_ Colonel 1059 Rep 2,511 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 3.5d Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	These are super confusing but as far as I understand these are like a ventilation temperature, when you take some air from outside you adjust how cold/warm it's going to be. I checked in the manual but never found the clear answer.
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02-07-2019, 11:20 AM	#4
Rotzy Captain 507 Rep 648 Posts Drives: 2016 F15, 2015 F83 Join Date: May 2014 Location: RI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M4 Convertible [0.00] 2016 X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2006 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Welcome to German over-engineering. BMWs have had this dial for years. __________________ 2016 F15 X5 50i M-Sport 2015 F83 M4
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02-07-2019, 11:31 AM	#5
alphaod Mmmmm… 1150 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: F15 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i [10.00]	It you set it to hot it will give you warm air even in the summer and you have the temps low. And vice versa. I like it. For example I don’t want it always blowing dry warm in my face in the winter. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i BMW CCA 509766
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02-07-2019, 11:49 AM	#7
Wavy Captain 1176 Rep 842 Posts Drives: B8 Join Date: May 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Leave it in the middle and pretend it's not there __________________ '23 B8, '84 Monte Carlo SS, '23 Escalade, '21 S 580, '20 AMG GT 53 , '18 LS 500, '18 X6, '16 Corvette, '12 750Li, '14 GS 350, '13 ES 350, '10 Maxima, '09 Challenger
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Heat/Cool Dial on front dash vents

02-07-2019, 11:56 AM	#8
CatalinP Major 590 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 2014 3.0xd Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: RO iTrader: (0)	RTFM!
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02-07-2019, 12:35 PM	#10
CatalinP Major 590 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 2014 3.0xd Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: RO iTrader: (0)	You adjust the average temperature you desire using the dial on the climate control panel, then you adjust that wheel towards red zone if you prefer warmer air blown through the top vents, meaning colder air will be blown towards the footrest in order to keep the average temperature as set. If you prefer colder air on top, you do it the other way.
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02-07-2019, 01:00 PM	#12
sromeo440 Registered 14 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 xDrive35i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Lakeville, MA iTrader: (0)	I have been confused by how to best use this too. This board a great resource as always.
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02-07-2019, 01:15 PM	#13
gqgambler Major 716 Rep 1,449 Posts Drives: Fast & Furious Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Beast from the East iTrader: (1)	A bit over the top. A bit useless. But for some reason I always find myself using them.
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02-07-2019, 01:59 PM	#14
TheUltimateDrivingManiac Freude am Fahren. 835 Rep 1,287 Posts Drives: F15 X5 xDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW F900R [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 xDrive35i [0.00]	That's very important feature. Hate hot air blowing into my face - I love to keep my head cool. So it's always in "blue". __________________ Freude am Fahren.
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02-07-2019, 02:42 PM	#15
smyles Major 1023 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: '21 X5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	I bet BMW will soon get rid of it, to please (= not confuse) general masses. Same masses that complained re turn and wiper stalks.
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02-07-2019, 03:41 PM	#17
smyles Major 1023 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: '21 X5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Well, RIP yet another thing that distinguished BMW from others....
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02-07-2019, 06:05 PM	#21
smyles Major 1023 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: '21 X5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	can it be programmed to one of the preset buttons?
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02-07-2019, 08:43 PM	#22
Maverik259 Major General 4140 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	I've never used it. I always prefer it to just be cold. Plus I don't like the feet to be warmer than the top when I have the AC on which really annoys me when I'm in AUTO. on long drives my feet get pretty warm and I've always wondered if engine heat was leaking into the cabin and now I know it effing is! So if I put this dial in the "middle" will it just be cold all over? Or equal temp above and below? __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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