Heat in cold weather

[addicted2bimmers]

New York winter is definitely here now. Am I the only that realizes the heat doesn't come on until the car is completely warm maybe? And also when the car is warm should the AC button be on? I feel like if i put the temp on 75 and turning on AC it is warmer then not having it on. Thoughts?

[stewy604]

The blower fan will only cycle up fully when the coolant reaches a warm temperature, that way the system isn't blasting you with cold air. I leave mine on auto, a/c button on, fan on 'middle', 20-21 degrees C all the time, rarely have to adjust. Having the a/c on will help pull the moisture out of the air as well.

[patrikr]

I have mine on auto, fan on setting 2 and AC on. I have to set mine to 68 during the winter or else it'll get way too warm and it starts heating up about 2 min into the drive or so (in 16-20F weather). Heating works great IMO. Cooling during the summer is a totally different, and disappointing, experience unfortunately.

[TallTrees]

Diesel engines take considerably longer to warm up due to thermal efficiency. Mine won't get fully up to temp until I get on the highway. Don't even bother pre-starting your diesel in the driveway in the winter, just wasting fuel IMO.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by Talltress

Don't even bother pre-starting your diesel in the driveway in the winter, just wasting fuel IMO.

Please tell that to my neighbors.

[Colomba]

Originally Posted by Talltress

Don't even bother pre-starting your diesel in the driveway in the winter, just wasting fuel IMO.

How come? Why do you think the heater is there at all?

[TallTrees]

Originally Posted by Colomba

How come? Why do you think the heater is there at all?

At idle hardly any heat is generated. My wife's Mercedes GLK diesel has an aux electric cabin heater which gives you heat until the engine gets upto temp. Don't know if the X5 has a similar system.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by Talltress

At idle hardly any heat is generated. My wife's Mercedes GLK diesel has an aux electric cabin heater which gives you heat until the engine gets upto temp. Don't know if the X5 has a similar system.

Yes it does. It's a option at a cost of ~£1,300 in UK. AND WORTH EVERY PENNY this time of year ��

[DeltaFX1942]

Originally Posted by addicted2bimmers

And also when the car is warm should the AC button be on? I feel like if i put the temp on 75 and turning on AC it is warmer then not having it on. Thoughts?

In these newer cars, the A/C button is no longer just about cold air during the summer. It literally air conditions your cabin, so that, like the poster above said, your cabin is moisture free. A/C these days don't just blow cold air anymore. Also helps with defrosting your windows.

[aas5]

In my experience with BMW, you don't have to worry about getting the cabin heated very fast even in cold days in NY. I usually just put it on Auto 71 soft and the seat heaters on and within a minute it's warm.

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by aas5

In my experience with BMW, you don't have to worry about getting the cabin heated very fast even in cold days in NY. I usually just put it on Auto 71 soft and the seat heaters on and within a minute it's warm.

You haven't tried a diesel BMW.

[5fix]

My (past) 2012 and (current) 2015 X5d always heat up quickly. Never thought it was a problem. Perhaps check the dials next to your center vents and make sure they are moved to "red" instead of "blue" which can make a big differenced on temp.

Agree with patrikr, though, cooling not so good.

[Line Drive]

As bad as the seat coolers are, the seat warmers are amazing, especially this time of year. I feel like you could fry an egg when the warmers are on.

Interestingly, Eco Pro mode with the 40e reduces heat to the warmers compared to Sport and Comfort modes. I'm assuming also that the a/c will be reduced -- I wonder how noticeable that will be in July and August.

[tnikolov]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Yes it does. It's a option at a cost of ~£1,300 in UK. AND WORTH EVERY PENNY this time of year ��

I second that. I have auxiliary heating and the car starts to blow heavily heated air in within 45 to 60 seconds after start. 2 minutes in and it's hard to stay in the car because of the heat. I usually keep it at 19C in the winter, so that it doesn't get too hot inside. Seat heaters work great too.

I don't like how cooling works or how chubby and stupid the ventilated seats are, but that's a whole another story.

[Staszek]

As others have said, I leave my AC button on all year on all my cars, keeps the windows nice and clear, think of it as a dehumidifier for your home.

You can always override the settings and make your heat come on right away, but basically you are just making the car shoot cold air at you.

Just leave it on auto, put the heat seaters on and turn the little knob things to red so once it starts you get warm air out of the upper vents too. Those vents are actually the only thing I ever adjust on the car, once my temp is set I rarely ever touch the rest of the climate control.