[Billfitz]

Bi-level, which BMW calls ventilation, allows the center vent and rear seat vent outputs to be warmer than the rest of the vents when the car is being cooled, colder than the rest of the vents when the car is being heated. In my manual it's explained on pages 152-153, find it in your manual under the heading 'Controls: Climate Control'.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by Rebound

Would you please explain how to use the climate control system? Because it doesn’t make much sense to me. I would sincerely appreciate that.

See post #13 or consult your owner's manual as suggested by Billfitz above.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by Freestylerfalcon

Ok cool. Despite your dickheadish condescending reply, this is actually a revelation. Thanks for the info.

You sound like a douchebag who doesn't know how to read the owner's manual. Try that next time you drop $40,000 on a car.

[paul e]

I realize this is the Trump era/era of disrespect, but this kind of b!tchy-baby talk back and forth reveals more about you guys than you know, it is not appreciated.

Try growing up, or optionally, get some counseling.

[Niart906]

Trolls on a BMW forum? Never seen this before...

As for the climate control, it was explained to me that the center vents have that blend wheel to keep the air blowing on your face cooler than the air in the cabin. It's supposed to help keep the driver alert.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Bi-level, which BMW calls ventilation, allows the center vent and rear seat vent outputs to be warmer than the rest of the vents when the car is being cooled, colder than the rest of the vents when the car is being heated. In my manual it's explained on pages 152-153, find it in your manual under the heading 'Controls: Climate Control'.

They may need a female version of these instructions, at least based on GF. I've explained to her a million times and to her the HVAC system is like playing a slot machine. Randomly try different combos until comfortable.

I was once told passenger was 64 while driver at 74 "to balance it out - I got hot".

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Bi-level, which BMW calls ventilation, allows the center vent and rear seat vent outputs to be warmer than the rest of the vents when the car is being cooled, colder than the rest of the vents when the car is being heated. In my manual it's explained on pages 152-153, find it in your manual under the heading 'Controls: Climate Control'.

My older BMWs used to work like that but now in my '14 528 and my '16 435, the center wheel regulates the air between ALL of the upper vent outputs, not just the center ones. My OM even says "upper body region", not just "center vents". Next time the center wheel will make a noticable temp difference, hold your hand over an outboard vent and you'll feel it change along with the center ones. I like it better this way.

Thumbwheel to vary the ventilation temperature in the upper body region, arrow 3.

Toward blue: colder.

Toward red: warmer

[jeffc83]

This topic again!? Although this has been beaten with a dead horse and then some, this is how I see it: regardless of how I FEEL about the system, I never ever sweat in a suit or heavy jacket. Can't say that about the other cars I've driven even with cooled seats! Just having the ability to split the air is a huge advantage to me and the fact this car keeps me comfortable ALL year round without having to make ANY adjustments is a huge benefit. Now BMW, get working on that SYNC button!

[SportySpice]

At the risk of getting flogged, I'd like to ask a couple of questions. Count me among those who cannot set and forget the climate control system. I've read the manual and many of the threads here. I accept that I have to tweak when needed, and I don't stress about it.

I live an area with cold winters. When I move the ventilation wheel to red, it seems that the heated seats and heated steering wheel get hotter on the max setting than when the wheel is in the middle between red and blue. Also, the AC light does not come on when I'm using the Auto mode in winter unless I leave the AC on.

So, what I'm wondering is: does anyone know whether the climate system is configured to behave identically for all locations? For example, if you have the cold weather package or whatever it's called, does it work differently than for, say, someone living in Florida? Also, does the cooling function work if the AC light isn't on? In the low humidity conditions here in winter, I don't know if the cooling function is needed and it does not turn on by default in my car. However, if it warms up and is humid, I do have to make sure the AC is on to prevent fogging.

Just wondering. TIA.

[jeffc83]

Mine does. I live in an area that has cold winters and my wheel is always on COLD and the system set to AUTO at 70. Never hot never cold myself.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

You sound like a douchebag who doesn't know how to read the owner's manual. Try that next time you drop $40,000 on a car.

Only $40,000? Must be nice?. Having to read the owners manual to operate basic climate control seems a little bit ridiculous to me. Maybe it's because it's not intuitive and clunky. I'm thinking I've dropped $60,000 on a car and there's no sync button between the passenger and driver side climate control system. You find that in any Honda. Gnome sayin?

[Kafkaesque328]

I live in sunny southern CA where we get 4 months of 90-105 degree days and sun year round and I have no issues with the climate control. Always stays plenty cool in the car for me and the auto dual zone seems to work fine. Maybe BMWs shipped to Australia are different.

I read the owners manual because that is what I do when I get a new car, but I find the climate control to be pretty intuitive and idiot-proof, like most of the features and tech in this car. I'm honestly a bit perplexed by this discussion.

[paul e]

I just drove 2 days/960+ miles. Never touched the temp which remains at 73°.

I did adjust the center wheel, but only because I wasn’t feeling well and at various times wanted either really cool air on my face or warmer air.

Without the bilevel system - which by the way most cars used to have as standard years ago there was an actual bilevel position - this would not have been possible without adjusting the entire system.

Also - the temperature controls are a few inches apart. If you want to synchronize them it’s really not that hard.

[Raypep]

I totally agree, with what everyone is saying.

In all my previous car's (Lexus & Mercedes) I just set it and forget it.

What I've done in my F30 is set intensity in the middle and set temp to 70degrees. Seems to be alright. Haven't adjusted it in a month or 2 now.


This is the biggest first world problem though! lol
-R

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

They may need a female version of these instructions, at least based on GF. I've explained to her a million times and to her the HVAC system is like playing a slot machine. Randomly try different combos until comfortable.

I'm hip. My ex couldn't figure out how to use an electric can opener, or even a battery operated pepper mill that had exactly one button. Now that she's on her own I guarantee you could walk into her kitchen and see '12:00' flashing on every appliance that has a digital clock.

[nedmon]

Utterly agree, Auto ain't no auto

A wheel, fan speed and while we are all whining, the fan noise.What's that you mean when you say auto?

And I had to get out the manual to figure out how to move the radio from presets.

[bimmer456]

The heat works without the engine being warmed up

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by nedmon

And I had to get out the manual ....

Oh, the horror! The horror!

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The heat works without the engine being warmed up

So how does the system accomplish this in freezing weather when the car has sat overnight? Please enlighten me...

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

So how does the system accomplish this in freezing weather when the car has sat overnight? Please enlighten me...

Apparently there's a heater behind the vent in the dash. I was feeling warm air when the temp gauge was zero this morning.

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Apparently there's a heater behind the vent in the dash. I was feeling warm air when the temp gauge was zero this morning.

Yeah the aux heat and seat heater get up there in about 2-3 minutes total or less for me. Sometimes I can't even make it down the street before feeling the seat!!! Major reason why I got over the whole remote start thing right away. Would be nice but not necessarily needed on this car. (at least for me)

[Vladut]

hello, I also have a problem with Bmw series 4 f36, when I turn on the air conditioner, it cools down only on the driver, in the back and on the passenger, warm outside air comes out, what could be the reason? thank you