How to Turn on the Air Conditioning in a BMW 3 Series?
4 Answers
BMW 3 Series comes standard with automatic air conditioning, and the control buttons are located on the center console panel. Press the temperature adjustment button on the right side of AUTO and set the temperature to a comfortable level. The temperature for the car's cooling system should not be set below 25 degrees Celsius, and the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car should not be too large, preferably not exceeding 5 to 6 degrees Celsius. Precautions for using car air conditioning: 1. Turn off the air conditioning a few minutes before reaching the destination: Turn on the natural wind to allow the temperature in the air conditioning ducts to rise, maintaining relative dryness in the air conditioning system and preventing mold growth. 2. When turning on the cooling, point the air vents upward: When turning on the heating, point them downward. This is due to the physical principle that hot air rises and cold air sinks. 3. Do not set the air conditioning to recirculation mode: This will make the air in the cabin stale and gradually reduce the oxygen content inside the car. When the oxygen level is too low and the air is stale, people often experience dizziness, which is very dangerous when driving in this state. 4. Do not use the air conditioning when the car is driving at low speeds: If you encounter traffic congestion while driving at low speeds with the air conditioning on, the engine's rotation frequency will be higher, and prolonged high-speed operation can easily damage the engine. Once the engine's lifespan is shortened, the car's service life will also be reduced accordingly.
Today I happened to drive my family's BMW 3 Series out, and it's so hot outside that I needed to turn on the AC immediately. After getting in the car, I first pressed the start button to ignite the engine, then found the row of buttons in the air conditioning control area. There's an A/C symbol in the middle; you need to press it to light it up and activate the compressor to start cooling. The round knob on the left can be turned directly towards the blue side. Feeling like the temperature isn't dropping fast enough? Try turning on the recirculation mode button—it's the one with a car and an arrow inside—this will cool the car faster. I usually set it to around 22 degrees with the fan speed a bit higher at first, and it becomes comfortable in about three to five minutes. Remember to turn off the AC before shutting down the engine to protect the compressor.
I've driven quite a few older BMW models, and the new 3 Series' three-zone climate control is really convenient. After starting the vehicle, press the AUTO button on the climate control panel to activate automatic mode, then turn the temperature knob down until the display shows around 20°C. The large roller wheel in the center of the front air vents adjusts the fan speed - I recommend starting with higher fan speed in summer for quicker cooling. The central control screen menu also offers ventilation options; I often enable the synchronized seat ventilation function to prevent back sweat and sticking clothes. Don't forget to regularly replace the cabin air filter, especially during summer when the AC is frequently used, otherwise you might notice odd odors. When cooling a sun-baked interior, I suggest first cracking the windows slightly for better ventilation effect.
The air conditioning buttons of the BMW 3 Series are conveniently located next to the gear shift. First, start the ignition. On the far left of the AC panel, there's a small blue snowflake button—that's the cooling switch. Press it to light it up and activate the cold air. Turn the central round knob to the left to set your desired temperature, like 21 degrees for a cool setting. When you first start driving, press the fan speed button twice to increase airflow, then adjust it down once the temperature stabilizes to save fuel. On highways, I prefer using the MAX A/C button for maximum cooling—it's right next to the AUTO button. Rear passengers can also control their own settings; the small knob above the rear vents is very practical, especially when traveling with kids to avoid catching a cold. Remember to turn off the AC before shutting down the engine for a more engine-friendly next start.
