Aux Ventilation?
 

Does anyone use this. I remember having this in my 540i but I never used it. Curious if any of you find this useful on the E53

It's rarely ever hot enough down here (on the coast anyway..) to warrant using the Aux. Vent but I use the Aux. Heater a lot during the winter. I've fitted a remote so I can start the Webasto (diesel) heater etc. from the house while I finish my breakfast. I usually only let it run for about 15 minutes as it can be hard on the battery. Works really well though!

I image the Aux. Vent would be easier on the battery (as it's only running the blower and vents etc. and not a small fuel pump and a heater as well) but I'd still want to limit how often/long it runs before the battery gets charged by some driving.

In theory the Aux. Vent/Heater system will auto shut-off before the battery gets down to far to start the car. Not keen to test this!

I mean it gets hot where I’m at. Like really hot. But part of me thinks letting this run is just begging for premature blower failure.

I hear ya. re. the blower failure thing... :yikes:

But - I bought this car to use it - so use it I am. :thumbup:

I don't EVER want to pull the dash on my X - but I've done other cars before and if it happens, it happens. :confused:

Same. Haha. I’m just afraid 😱

Me too.. but I figure it's not actually that common. How many X5 owners post about a blower motor failure - two or three a year?

There's currently 167 users looking at this forum and tens of thousands of X5 owners out there, many with high mileages, in hot climates (srmmmm for instance) with no issues.

Do you feel lucky? :rofl:

I had my 540i blower go out and that was a 1500 fix. So a little gunshy

Yep - that'd do it...! :rofl:

Don't ask me about diesel exhaust manifolds.... :confused:

:rofl:

Yes...I use this feature...and it can be used to help keep an annoying issue at bay. I've used this feature on every BMW that has had it...which I believe goes back to my e32 & e34 (& perhaps even my e30)...because that generation OBC had a TIMER function, too.




I use the immediate venting feature more than the timed park ventilation...and I use it during times of extremely hot temps (mid 80s-100s) when after running the AC...I'm parking in the garage or other dark area with limited air circulation. Running the blower (using the immediate venting feature) helps dry off any condensate that can be a "love-bed" for the growth of bacteria that causes that funky smell people can get when the AC is first turned on.

Using the vent feature to keep the blower running for 30 minutes after parking in a dark garage...helps prevent the perfect condition for the growth of bacteria that causes the aforementioned funkiness.

I will also use this feature if running errands and the ambient temps are really hot (like the 90s-100s)...and I know that I will be starting the engine up and driving around (to recover from any battery discharge caused by running the blower with the engine off).

I also use the REST (RESidual heaT) feature during cooler ambient temps when stopped at railroad crossings, traffic jams, or running short errands and would like to come back to a car that is not going to feel like a meat locker. :D

So...put me on the list of owners that actually use the aux venting features of the OBC without any pause or concern of it doing harm to the blower. I'm also aware of the drain this feature can make on the battery...so use it judiciously...knowing that I can't run two 30-minutes sessions back-to-back without allowing the battery to recover. :thumbup: