AC and side vents...poor airflow

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by atl_lex77

i posted about it on bimmerfest. i actually have 2 messages on my machine from BMW NA customer service today. probably saw the posts on 2 separate boards and realized it is probably something to investigate.

i cant cool off on my entire 15 min ride home, and i even plan ahead and get the "auto vent" running before i leave.

I saw the post...glad they finally contacted you. Please keep us updated, I would love to contact them as well.

I just got back from a long road trip and the AC drove us crazy. I keep it in AUTO mode, and the side vents kept changing from low air flow to zero air flow. The left side of my body was sweating the majority of the trip.

I am currently in an X3 loaner and it blows ice cold...had to turn the auto to 70, whereas I keep my X5 on "60" degrees the entire time im in it.

[trueX5er]

No problems with the X5...are you sure it's set up right in the IDrive? Are any air openings blocked? (like in the front of the car?) You can always turn off the side vents, it makes the front ones stronger. If there isn't anybody in the back, turn off their vents too. (including the ones in the roof pillar).

[X5FX]

I have tried all the settings...the side vents barly have air flow. Less than 50% of center vents.

So you have strong air flow on the side vents?

btw- I have rear ac w/ 4 zones so that shouldnt matter and I also have pano roof so no rear roof vents.

[trueX5er]

Yea I have strong airflow everywhere.
I also have the 4-zone climate control, so if there aren't people back there, using the electonic control turn the fan off, then using the sliders, close the vent. The "roof vents" I was talking about are the vents on the roof pillar (B-Pillar). Close those vents too. All of that should help the front, even if a little bit. Close 3rd row too.

[X5FX]

Thanks, I'll try that...

...dont understand why I would need to close the rear vents on a $69k car though.

[rpm2002]

I agree the A/C is WEAK...especially out in Rancho Mirage, CA when its 105.

[trueX5er]

Originally Posted by X5FX

Thanks, I'll try that...

...dont understand why I would need to close the rear vents on a $69k car though.

yeah it's weird...but that's just a temporary "fix" for it, the rear vents being open is not causing low airflow to the side vents. I just know from playing around with vents and stuff that when you close one vent the others get stronger.
Good luck!

[jjoshj]

my ac is weak as well. There is a setting in "transportation mode" that is a 50% blower control. I wonder if they didn't reenable full blowers on our vehicles. See page 21-23 under "energy management" section:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/g...tml#post243355

[Fastbuck]

Daft question. Can I assume that you have the Auto mode on the AC set at "Intense"?

[X5FX]

With "intense" I get some airflow, with medium and low settings I dont get much at all.

btw-Intense is way too loud