How to stop AC from coming on during start?
 

I've this annoying "feature" ever since I've bought my 2005 X5. Being in Houston, I really didn't pay attention to this since I would eventually turn the AC on anyways. About 9 out of 12 months, AC will be needed. Now that it is getting cooler, I don't like to have the AC come on every time I put my key in the ignition and turn on the engine. Isn't there a chip in the key that remembers my settings prior to engine shut down? Can I program this without having to take it back to the dealer for "key programming?

I am not sure why the vent won't stay off on mine either. Sometimes the car forgets, and keeps the fan off. To not have the AC turn on auto, turn off the AC button, at least only the vent will turn on the next time.

While we are on the subject, why does bmw not have an OFF button?

I have this same issue on my x5 and was the same thing on my previous
e46 BMW

there is no way to really turn it off. (did research)

possibly find a way to code it.

I run our HVAC on 'manual': if I want A/C I hit the snowflake button, and set vents and temp. If I don't want A/C it is never on: I leave car at '60' or '70' if cold out, and usually just floor and/or floor center vent, and never on 'Auto'.

When I start it up, there is no A/C, just the previously set temp and vent setting.

I realize there are fans of 'Auto' and running their A/C in a mix situ, 24/7, but I have never done that and have had zero probs with A/C in 11+ yrs/85k miles, or in any car I have owned in 50+ yrs of driving, fwiw.

Go to 'manual operation' and it won't be A/C, until you want it.
GL, mD

With my memory seats, with the car running in the configuration I want, I push the seat memory button and than one of the memory positions.
When the car is restarted, that set configuration is initiated. i.e seat position, temperature, steering wheel position, airco etc.

Unfortunately there is no way to completely shut it off. Leaving it in "manual" mode is your best option. I have three BMW's right now, and this is the one thing that bugs me also. I have a good friend that works for BMW's HQ here in NJ, and I bitched to him about this. As he jokingly said, "it's an undocumented feature".

2cents
 

i think that mostlyharmless has a valid point, not sure. but, from memory (pun intended) i thought whatever configuration you had set regarding the heat / or a.c. prior to pushing the memory button would then be enabled when the car was started using the same key that was utilized when initiating the memory? If that is the case, during winter time if you were to re-set the memory while the a.c. was off (or the heat was on for that matter), when you restart the memory will engage the settings that were locked in. I thought that was the case but perhaps a 'memory setting/ key fob' expert could chime in (could also be different for some years?)

the option "offmemory" can be coded. additionally the setting to remember a/c on/off function can be coded via car key memory. when returning to the vehicle after shutting off the climate control, after vehicle falls asleep, the climate control returns to the lowest blower setting. this setting is necessary to prevent moisture build up in climate control hvac box.

There seems to be a way to code it, so it doesn't turn off if you left it off. I haven't personally tried it yet, but it does seem possible via coding.