Can someone explain the climate control?
 

I have a 2005 x5 4.4. I do not understand the reason for putting the temp 'roller' control on the dash and then also the buttons that change the display temp. Are the buttons just for the AUTO control? Why not just one temp control?

I believe the vent with the roller temperature control is independant of the other vents whose temps are controlled by the climate control buttons.
cheers
Rob
2004 3.0d

I don't know the "official" explanation from the manual but its a nice feature (the roller on the vent).

You set the climate control but sometimes its a little too hot or too cool after a while. So, IIRC, the roller only affects certain areas. You can the adjust the roller for cooler/hotter air to what's more comfortable easier (easier than trying to find a compromise with the temp control).

Think of it like fine tuning the climate control. Like different climate zones.

I use the roller control to adjust the airflow to my face.

It seems to come in handy in the winter when the cabin is pretty toasty or even stuffy, you can direct a nice cool breeze to your face to help cool off without letting the cabin get too cold.

appreciate all the replies!

This is exactly why I love the roller feature!

From my experience......

The roller doesn't actually change the temperature but what it does is only select the ratio of air that you like.

Climate control works by cooling air to minimum temperature and then introducing a little or a lot of trim hot air to bring it up to the temperature that you require.

The roller basically does the same so you'll find if you have the interior temperature selector set to 18 degrees and have the roller set to full hot the airflow from the middle vent will be just above zero however if you then set it to full cold you'll find it will blast out of that vent and vice versa.

The idea of it is to set a temperature that is comfortable for your face and regardless of what your climate control is doing the temperature on your face will always be pleasant.

The roller is a blend control. It allows outside air in to help keep windows from fogging by with letting you fine tune the temp/humidity in the cabin.

While you guys are at it, can someone please tell me how to let fresh air in through the vents without the need of turning the climate control on or having to wind my window down?

The roller wheel isn't an absolute temperature control, it is an offset control from the cabin setting, and only applies to the centre vents. Each dot is one degree! For slightly cooler or warmer air on your face, depending on your preference. Leave it on neutral if you like. Just don't set the cabin on max cool and the centre vent on max warm (or vice versa) since the system will fight itself