[cfarq330]

Hi all-

First post but been a lurker for awhile. Just a quick question for you guys. My e90 330i has the temp control nobs for the ac/heater that I can set the temp on i.e. 70 degrees. There are also some little turn wheels above the vents that let you turn the wheel Left towards the blue box or right towards the red box. My questions is what is this wheel controlling if you are setting the desired temp with the other nobs?

NOTE*

Before you flame me the search did not help me with this question.

[335inAZ]

If you want cool air then put it on blue, if you want warm air then put it on red. Just an extra step BMW makes us do to get the kind of air we want.

You might want to do what you can to delete this post because people are going to FLAME your ass off because it has been discussed sooo many times. I'm happy to answer your question though because I wondered in the beg too.

[ElRedOne]

The "little wheel" controls the temperature of the dash-vent air. In cold, sunny weather, it allows cool air to the face while the heater provides warm air to the feet. BMW feels that this keeps one alert behind the wheel. On cloudy cold days, you might prefer the air to be warmed somewhat, or you might use the hot setting to warm your cold hands on the steering wheel. The dash vent output can be circumvented (sorry) by either closing the dash vents or using the windshield and/or foot distribution buttons on the left side of the panel.

[cfarq330]

Thanks redone. Thats what I wanted to know.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by ElRedOne

The "little wheel" controls the temperature of the dash-vent air. In cold, sunny weather, it allows cool air to the face while the heater provides warm air to the feet. BMW feels that this keeps one alert behind the wheel. On cloudy cold days, you might prefer the air to be warmed somewhat, or you might use the hot setting to warm your cold hands on the steering wheel. The dash vent output can be circumvented (sorry) by either closing the dash vents or using the windshield and/or foot distribution buttons on the left side of the panel.

This makes sense and it's how it works, but I don't see the point of it.

It's like false advertising. If I set the AC temp to 70 degrees, damnit, I want 70 degree air. What's the point of having a temp gauge if it doesn't mean anything?

[E92_328i_Boston]

It's known as "bi-level". Personally I enjoy a little cool air on my face/upper body when I am driving with a coat on in the winter here in MA. This is when I have warm air going to the lower vents and my heated seat on.

-A

[BK]

Search didn't help? Ah, you probably didn't know the correct buzzword for that knob. Try a search on "knurled wheel" and you'll find hits on this topic.

In short - some of us love it, some of us tolerate it, some of us hate it and think it's dumb.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by E92_328i_Boston

It's known as "bi-level". Personally I enjoy a little cool air on my face/upper body when I am driving with a coat on in the winter here in MA. This is when I have warm air going to the lower vents and my heated seat on.

-A

+1

Personally with the auto temp set to 20 degrees celsius, I set the knurled wheel to halfway between blue (left) and middle. Sometimes I adjust it a mm left or right, it seems fairly sensitive. Then in the warm months it's obviously set all the way to blue.

[E90330iS]

i love the small knob personally. my temperature is always set a 72 and i move the small knob to change the minor degrees

[cfarq330]

Originally Posted by BK

Search didn't help? Ah, you probably didn't know the correct buzzword for that knob. Try a search on "knurled wheel" and you'll find hits on this topic.

In short - some of us love it, some of us tolerate it, some of us hate it and think it's dumb.

Who would have thunk?