Windshield Defrost Function
 

Can you adjust the fan power of the windshield defrost? Everytime I press it, it goes full power. It annoys the heck out of me. I like it when I have cool air circulating from the windshield help me breathe easier but not when it is blasting at full power. Any other car I drove you can adjust that.

dont know about the x5 but this is how it is on my e46.

That Defrost button produces Instant On, Full Tilt Boogie defrost action, (maybe a euro/teuton feature), that gives fast defrost.

For "regular" defrost, punch vent directional button for air UP, punch A/C button, and adjust fan speed and temp. Other vent directionals can be added for diff/add. air movement.

All of this kinda stuff can be found in that handy lil'black book in your glove box, known as the Manual. Or, the home page for this marvelous and informative site lists links to the manuals of all previous MY Xs. This is not the space shuttle, but an hour of casual perusing in the Manual makes the operation and experience of your X more enjoyable, imo. GL,md

Yes this is true for all BMWs and sometimes can be annoying. But on the plus side this method gets rid of any frost on your windshield in a hurry, sometimes almost immediately.