How do you like your climate control?

[BavarianZHP]

Just curious on what your climate settings are.... and if any of you know, which setting is best for the car. I've noticed some conflict especially when it comes to the A/C button.

Personally, most of the time I have it set at:

72 degrees
Auto or low fan setting
Center vent dialed into the center dot (no double red or blue dots)
Top, center, and low blowers on (I think that's what the three buttons on the left do)
Auto recirculation (can you tell which setting it's on? Is there an indicator I can check to see it it's switching between circulation of outside air and recirculation of cabin air?)
A/C off


Thanks

[mLuMaN83]

72 on Auto with center vent centered with the white line and circulation set so that it will switch between outside and inside depending on if it senses and pollutants. 24/7. Although my system has some issues, can't figure them out. After I get brakes and some suspension work done, I need to have it looked at.

[kayger12]

68. Everything on auto. Center vents adjusted as needed. AC off unless needed. Occasionally cycle the compressor during the non - summer months.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[iZHP]

68-70º on Auto, no buttons on the left selected, AC button off unless needed. 3 dots should only be used for extreme temps, then go back to white.

[Hermes]

Everything off, I live in San Diego and generally don't need to use it. Once a year I make sure to run the AC just to keep the system healthy.

[kayger12]

Everything off, I live in San Diego and generally don't need to use it. Once a year I make sure to run the AC just to keep the system healthy.

Sure, rub it in why don't you, lol.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[Hermes]

Sure, rub it in why don't you, lol.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

hahaha... what are you doing up? Isn't it 02:00 in your area

[kayger12]

hahaha... what are you doing up? Isn't it 02:00 in your area

Yeah. Head cold just in time for my week off. Can't sleep for anything when I feel like this.

Thank god for tablets and headphones.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[Avetiso]

Max hot when I'm cold. Max cold when I'm hot.

[Lanister]

Auto setting all the way @ 20C, yep Euro style all the way. Auto on circulation too as it switches on when it detects dirt in the air. Very much hands-off. From what I read, it's a very sophisticated system.

[wsmeyer]

68 full auto 365 days a year. Center vents on white line.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[sillieidiot]

almost always off, but i run it once a month for maintenance.

[ELCID86]

~69-72 w/ Auto. I manually recirculate a lot due to poor air quality. Never really trusted the Auto-circ. Perhaps I should.


Auto on circulation too as it switches on when it detects dirt in the air. Very much hands-off. From what I read, it's a very sophisticated system.

[az3579]

68. Everything on auto. Center vents adjusted a needed. AC off unless needed. Occasionally cycle the compressor during the non - summer months.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

If you leave it on auto, it automatically cycles the compressors during the winter months. If the light is on for the A/C, that doesn't necessarily mean the A/C compressor is active, it just means that the system is ready to activate it if needed.


72 full auto (fan and circulation). The only thing I ever touch is the temperature dial for the vents. Every once in a while I'll activate defrost.

[kayger12]

If you leave it on auto, it automatically cycles the compressors during the winter months. If the light is on for the A/C, that doesn't necessarily mean the A/C compressor is active, it just means that the system is ready to activate it if needed.


Learn something new every day. Good info.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[Hornung418]

74º

Sent from my GS3.

[pfr]

64-66 (67 if my wife complains), full auto. Center changed as needed, mostly blue. AC on when needed, i.e. in summer and for defrost in the winter.

[brettbimmer]

Anyone else prefer the "old-school" rotary dials? I seem to always be fighting with the zhp climate controls to get comfortable, even with the ability to set the desired temperature. Maybe it's just me?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[kayger12]

^It's kind of set and forget for me. I rarely think about it and on the occasion that I need a little adjustment I just go to the center vent dial.

[Lanister]

Anyone else prefer the "old-school" rotary dials? I seem to always be fighting with the zhp climate controls to get comfortable, even with the ability to set the desired temperature. Maybe it's just me?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

I have automatic climate control in my VW Eurovan and ZHP and I couldn't be happier. Now when I get into cars with rotary dials, I kind of cringe at the sight of them.

What exactly do you mean that you can't get comfortable? Are you constantly fighting to find the perfect temperature?

[SoCalZman]

I dunno. I dont think I have figured this thing out yet. I kept the AC button off because I thought it always ran the compressor. I left the auto filter function off but I guess I can leave it on auto.
I have tried full auto a few times but it seems to keep wanting to move the fan speed to mid way up. I usually like it to be on the first setting for a little airflow. I have also noticed that it doesn't seem to blow it out of the center vents as often I would like on full auto (maybe it being cold has something to do with it?).

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[iZHP]

With the AC button on, it does cycle the compressor constantly. You can hear it activating/deactivating from outside your car. No need to leave it on 24/7.

[alexandre]

62 auto, 3 red dots, A/C always on to dehumidify the air (otherwise humidity freezes on windows), no recirculation.

[BavarianZHP]

Great input guys. Yeah, I felt that the A/C button is a little tricky and I still feel I do not have a 100% grasp on how everything works....

[Washburn]

Can someone explain the recirc settings and symbols/buttons (specifically on our cars - i do know what they generally mean/do) for me?
I think I am not sure which setting/symbol means which.
On most cars it's just recirc on or off, but ours seem to have THREE settings ??
Thanks IA.

[BavarianZHP]

Here's some info:

http://www.bmwcarx.com/web/DocumentosBMW/E46ControlClimatico.pdf


and here's my understanding of it:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/climatecontrol_zps173ff13d.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/climatecontrol_zps173ff13d.jpg.html)

[BavarianZHP]

Auto circulation (left light) makes the most sense to me to have on. However, its reliability is in question.

Ah, I wish it had an indicator to see which setting it's currently using.

[Washburn]

Ah - thanks very much, both of you.
How often (mileage wise) should one replace the cabin air filter?

[danewilson77]

Ah - thanks very much, both of you.
How often (mileage wise) should one replace the cabin air filter?

I would go 30k miles max.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Washburn]

Hmm...Thanks!

I am sure mine is still factory.
Time to replace I guess...
Hopefully it's within my DIY capabilities....

off to look for a Youtube video or a DIY.

[danewilson77]

It will literally take you 3 minutes (that's if you stop to take a drink of your brewsky)

It's three thumb screws, then lift out the cover.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[derbo]

68F, Auto Fan, Auto Recirc, no A/C, upper fans set to slightly to the red above the white line.

[Washburn]

Cool - thanks, Dane!
Are there 2 types of filters? Micro filter and charcoal filter?
Any suggestions for best place to get them ?

[stephenkirsh]

If the temp outside is sufficient, I usually drive with no climate control on. Less wear n tear on the car :P

Also, I friggen HATE the control system. In fall/spring it can be 30 degrees in the morning and then 75 in the afternoon, so sometimes I need to go from cold to hot and it takes a half an hour to click from ~60* to ~90*!

[danewilson77]

Cool - thanks, Dane!
Are there 2 types of filters? Micro filter and charcoal filter?
Any suggestions for best place to get them ?

I've always gotten the microfilter from ecstuning.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Washburn]

Did some research and I think it's better to get the charcoal activated Micronair filter...That's what's OEM anyway. (and available on Amazon for $28, plus $7 shipping :( but Pelican Parts only $19 and about $8 shipping...)

These are part numbers from different brands available for both regular and charcoal activated versions: (OEM marked with a German flag):

11405

[Hermes]

Anyone else prefer the "old-school" rotary dials?

Jealous?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/58160F06-C5A3-4DD9-AEEE-A3B7672C7F2A.jpg

jk, I know you have the ti so you can get your rotary fix

[johnrando]

Off 95% of the time. Run it once or twice in the summer, full high heat in winter if cold. I can attest to William's 'always on' mode.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[az3579]

Anyone else prefer the "old-school" rotary dials?

Only in the very rare instance that I need to blow really hot or really cold air for whatever reason. The auto button pretty much eliminates this requirement 99% of the time, so I guess I don't miss it much at all.




I have tried full auto a few times but it seems to keep wanting to move the fan speed to mid way up. I usually like it to be on the first setting for a little airflow. I have also noticed that it doesn't seem to blow it out of the center vents as often I would like on full auto (maybe it being cold has something to do with it?).


It will use whatever fan speed is necessary to keep the temperature you set. If that means running it at mid-way all the time to maintain 72 degrees, for example, in the winter, then so be it. When it's almost the same temperature outside as the temperature you set, it uses a lower fan speed setting as it doesn't have much work to do.

I also noticed that if I set that fan speed manually to the same speed, it seems to blow a little harder as opposed to when I use auto. So, at least it seems so in my car, setting the fan speed to 3 or 4 manually is not the same as having it on 3 or 4 using auto. I don't know if I'm just imagining things with this though.



One thing is for sure... I hope to never own a daily driver that doesn't have an auto button on the climate control again...same with auto wipers. That is the best thing since Nutella.

[danewilson77]

My Mini Cooper doesn't have rain sensing wipers, and I seriously don't appreciate it.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Whitexi]

My Mini Cooper doesn't have rain sensing wipers, and I seriously don't appreciate it.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

I have them and it gets annoying though because unlike the ease of adjusting the sensitivity like on the E46 you have to go into the cars OBC and do it.

As for the climate, I feel like the auto mode in the E46 actually did work well. In my MINI not so much. I feel like it never knows what its doing (fan stays on high for ever) and when it finally does im already at my destination and the whole process repeats itself on my route back. I mainly added it for the nicer display :ducking

So with that said I leave it on low usually on 68-72 Deg.

[E_Rak]

Anybody know off the top of their head the piece that needs replacing when the foot air is always hot?? Prevents me from using auto fan locations in the summer. Also the temperature I feel coming out fluctuates w/ rpm. I need to do some werk.

On a winter day, 75 auto until warm with three red dots. When warm I turn fan speed to minimum and go to 2 red dots. Auto tends to leave it too high for my liking. I have the A/C on about half the time to reduce condensation and de-humidify the cabin air after snow has melted on the floors, etc.

Summertime, 68: see winter routine, replace w/ blue dots and full time A/C.

[BavarianZHP]

Never had auto wipers so I can't say I miss them but my bro's E39 has them and they're finicky as hell. He tried cleaning his windshield but his auto wipers are just plain annoying. Shouldn't there be some sort of manual override? I tried adjusting the wiper control speed on the right stock but it didn't seem to do anything. :dunno His are obviously somehow defective, they'll turn on at random intervals and speeds.

As for climate control, this was a good read:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=427235

[kayger12]

^That link is awesome. Nice find.

[danewilson77]

^That link is awesome. Nice find.

Do we have a thread for just consolidated good stuff to know and links?

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[kayger12]

Do we have a thread for just consolidated good stuff to know and links?

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

I think the closest thing would be the FAQ http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789-Frequently-Asked-Questions-(FAQ)-About-the-BMW-E46-330-ZHP-Performance-Package-Option

[brettbimmer]

I have automatic climate control in my VW Eurovan and ZHP and I couldn't be happier. Now when I get into cars with rotary dials, I kind of cringe at the sight of them.

What exactly do you mean that you can't get comfortable? Are you constantly fighting to find the perfect temperature?

Yes, I seem to always be adjusting the temperatures to get the system balanced to my liking. Usually it seems that the fan will be blowing 50-75% power when it often isn't necessary. Then on the rare occasion that I really do want to have the fan cranked up, it seems to sit at 25% power. Perhaps it's just user error on my part, and I need to RTFM. :slap


If the temp outside is sufficient, I usually drive with no climate control on. Less wear n tear on the car :P

Also, I friggen HATE the control system. In fall/spring it can be 30 degrees in the morning and then 75 in the afternoon, so sometimes I need to go from cold to hot and it takes a half an hour to click from ~60* to ~90*!

That about sums it up!


Jealous?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/58160F06-C5A3-4DD9-AEEE-A3B7672C7F2A.jpg

jk, I know you have the ti so you can get your rotary fix

JP you are killin' me with E21 porn again!! Nice console setup BTW!


Only in the very rare instance that I need to blow really hot or really cold air for whatever reason. The auto button pretty much eliminates this requirement 99% of the time, so I guess I don't miss it much at all.


Glad that you have found a way to balance the system BP. Can I sign up for one of your climate control lectures sometime? Perhaps I just run the wrong sequence of buttons, though I really do enjoy running the system on fresh outside air all the time. Perhaps that's my issue.

[az3579]

Glad that you have found a way to balance the system BP. Can I sign up for one of your climate control lectures sometime? Perhaps I just run the wrong sequence of buttons, though I really do enjoy running the system on fresh outside air all the time. Perhaps that's my issue.

It's very simple. Press auto. Done.
Messing with it is the reason you aren't getting comfortable. :)


Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[Vas]

I am going to try it out per that link and see how I like it.

[brettbimmer]

It's very simple. Press auto. Done.
Messing with it is the reason you aren't getting comfortable. :)


Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

So that's what I've been doing wrong all these years! :facepalm I thought that I had tried that when I first purchased the car, but then went about trying to manually adjust it. Maybe I'll just have to set it and forget it once again.

[Stigissimo]

69 degrees ;)



Good link!

[QC_ZHP]

Awesome link. I'm guilty of having a fogged up car all the time and having no idea why.

[derbo]

Awesome link. I'm guilty of having a fogged up car all the time and having no idea why.

Dirty inside windows also play a role in it too. The defroster usually turns on the ac to dehumidify the inside. So awesome.

sent from Moto X Dev Edition

[az3579]

So that's what I've been doing wrong all these years! :facepalm I thought that I had tried that when I first purchased the car, but then went about trying to manually adjust it. Maybe I'll just have to set it and forget it once again.

The temptation to manually adjust is high because it isn't blowing 100% of the air you want out of the vents but instead blows different temperatures out of different vents. Get past it mentally and you'll find those trips to be perfectly comfortable without ever having to touch any buttons. :)

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[WolfBMW]

Never had auto wipers so I can't say I miss them but my bro's E39 has them and they're finicky as hell. He tried cleaning his windshield but his auto wipers are just plain annoying. Shouldn't there be some sort of manual override? I tried adjusting the wiper control speed on the right stock but it didn't seem to do anything. :dunno His are obviously somehow defective, they'll turn on at random intervals and speeds.

As for climate control, this was a good read:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=427235


That was actually really useful. I never put the auto control on and often turn the colored temp dial all the way to one end or the other D: but I'm going to try this now!

[billyjack]

I like 72 or 73. I can't really add much except that I agree its best used as an Auto system. Press "Auto", set the temp to your target, done. I'll usually have the adjustment dial one dot towards blue, since I prefer cooler air at face level. During the miserable summers here I start out with windows open to air the car out a bit and sometimes I have to manually recirculate. Otherwise it seems to be a pretty good system. Wish it had an On/Off button though.

Also its ridiculous that the climate control has to be on for the rear defroster to work. Should be completely separate.

[ELCID86]

Wish it had an On/Off button though.

Also its ridiculous that the climate control has to be on for the rear defroster to work. Should be completely separate.

+1



Also its ridiculous that the climate control has to be on for the rear defroster to work. Should be completely separate.

Hmm, didn't know that.

[Rovert]

I leave mine at auto/82F when I'm the only one in the car. LOL. I'm use to being toasty. I leave auto recirculation on and A/C off unless I really need cooling which is rare. My hand/chest level vents are aimed at my hands on the steering wheel with the the temp all the way red. If I get warm I'll roll the window down for fresh air. Haha.

Window down mode I change where the air is directed. Usually ill manually hit all three levels to keep hot air even but if I need more heat from the cold outside I'll turn off the windscreen air.

If feet are too hot then I'll turn down the temp. Haha.

During heavy rain, usually just me and heat, the windows won't fog up. When there are 2 or 3 passengers then windows may fog. I'll keep the sunroof tilted to vent warm humid air with fan at 75% power so air moves quickly out of the cabin. If highspeed airflow isn't enough then I'll have to use A/C to dry out the air. Then I'll probably be using A/C the whole day since there will be residual moisture stored on the system's condenser and outputted everytime the car turns on.

There is an art to climate control systems but once you figure out how every system works and functions, it's similar application in any car.

[Avetiso]

This thread is an eye opener. What I've been doing with my HVAC is the equivalent of trying to make a resistor out of copper wire. :facepalm

[E_Rak]

69 degrees ;)

Hmm cheeky.

After reading that link I've changed my ways. Auto 72 dial at the white line and it's surprisingly nice.

[kayger12]

Hmm cheeky.

After reading that link I've changed my ways. Auto 72 dial at the white line and it's surprisingly nice.

:like

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[WolfBMW]

Me too! Tried it the past couple days and I'm never going back.

[94jedi]

Wow...I never knew the HVAC system was so sophisticated!!!! I'm used to futzing with it and never getting it right! I'll have to try this and see how it goes!

[BRGcoopahS]

Everything off, I live in San Diego and generally don't need to use it. Once a year I make sure to run the AC just to keep the system healthy.

This is why people need to live on the west coast.

[az3579]

This is why people need to live on the west coast.

This. :(

[Rovert]

If you're in the eastern half of the USA right now....max heat, max fan, output everywhere, red upper dial. Very simple!

[danewilson77]

If you're in the eastern half of the USA right now....max heat, max fan, output everywhere, red upper dial. Very simple!

+1

Supposed to be - 15F tonight.... Here in Mason, OH.

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[az3579]

If you're in the eastern half of the USA right now....max heat, max fan, output everywhere, red upper dial. Very simple!

Doing this is suicidal... you'd die of heat stroke.

[danewilson77]

Doing this is suicidal... you'd die of heat stroke.

Yeah... He was kidding BP.

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[az3579]

Yeah... He was kidding BP.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I don't think he was. lol
I remember him saying he puts the heat WAY up in a previous post...

[Avetiso]

Nice things about CA:

The climate.





Pretty much ends there. :rofl

That's a joke, to our members in CA. :biggrin

[Rovert]

I don't think he was. lol
I remember him saying he puts the heat WAY up in a previous post...

I like it toasty in the car. It's my exotic temperature getaway 30 minutes at a time!!

[Jon D]

So this is the time of year everyone hates us down here. Temp at 72 dial on three blues and A/C on. :)

[az3579]

So this is the time of year everyone hates us down here. Temp at 72 dial on three blues and A/C on. :)

You are encouraging hate.
You brought it upon yourself. :shifty

[Rovert]

Turn up the heat BP! You guys are going to need it! It's so cold your car is going to get Frostbite. :(

[az3579]

Turn up the heat BP! You guys are going to need it! It's so cold your car is going to get Frostbite. :(

It's so cold my car doesn't start half the time.
I think either the main DME relay, ignition switch, fuel pump relay, or any combination of these items are being affected too much by the cold. Based on the symptoms, these are the next logical items to go after. I will be replacing these very soon.

[johnrando]

Seriously? Wow, that's cold.

[az3579]

Seriously? Wow, that's cold.

Only happens when temps are in the single digits.

I thought they tested these cars to ridiculously low temps? lol

[Rovert]

Siberia is warmer than you guys right now.....so you're the beta tester in this weather. LOL

[orange260z]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman.

19-20C, full auto, centre vent on 1-3 blue dots. If I'm driving at highways speeds in the cold or hot with the top down, I may manually override and direct the air to my feet and torso, and put the fan on high.

[danewilson77]

Good bump

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[94jedi]

It's so cold my car doesn't start half the time.
I think either the main DME relay, ignition switch, fuel pump relay, or any combination of these items are being affected too much by the cold. Based on the symptoms, these are the next logical items to go after. I will be replacing these very soon.

Knock on wood but we had one of the nastiest, coldest winters ever on the Eastern Shore of MD and I didn't have any issues (despite thinking I would).

[ELCID86]

Not too bad but deserving of this;

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/07/egy4ugym.jpg


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Hermes]

Vents half open, window cracked

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6-5-14E21.jpg

:p

[danewilson77]

Lol

The friendliest forum on the planet.