Heating/cooling in the 530i

[heckler]

Folks:

Got a 2003 530i, and now I am confronting (thanks to mother nature) a need to actually use heat instead of air conditioning.

I tried setting the dual climate temperature controls up high (like 80 degrees) and turned on the fan, but over a period of warming up and 5 miles of driving, I didn't feel any hot air blowing out.

Does the BMW do something different when it comes to heating the interior of the cabin? Every other car I have ever driven pumps hot air whereever you want it and you can feel it.. are there hidden heating vents somewhere??

 

[M_Six]

The big center vent can be set for cool or warm air even if you have the temp set at 70. Make sure the center vent scroll wheel is on red. The settings on that vent also affect the two side vents. Also, try turning off the a/c. My dealer suggested I leave it on all the time, but I think it hurts gas mileage and slows heating.

One more thing, BMW 5 series heating systems won't kick on until the engine is producing enough heat. Most cars just blast you with cold air until they heat up.

 

[heckler]

Doh! It was right in front of me. Those silly Germans! Makes sense now.

Thanks!

 

[CosmosBlack]

Actually, I have wondered what the heck the temperature setting dials are for when you have to manually adjust that center hot/cold dial. What would they mean by "automated climate control"??? Seems the temperature settings do not work, and the heat solely depends on the center hot/cold dial.

 

[M_Six]

If you're running the heat, the warm air from the center console at its warmest setting is the temp you've set in the automatic temp control. You can temper that air flow with cool air from outside the car; a little, or a lot. The floor vents should continue to pump air at the temp you set in the auto-control.

When it's really cold, I usually set the auto-control up around 72 and crank the center vent to full warm. Then when it starts to get toasty, I cut the heat back to 70 and ease in some cooler air from outside. My feet stay warm, but my upper body doesn't overheat.

I love the way the heating/cooling works on my 530i. Just took a bit to figure it out.