Is the external air circulation in BMW A or M?
2 Answers
BMW's external air circulation is A, while M stands for forced internal circulation. External air circulation refers to the car's air conditioning system opening to circulate and draw in air from outside the vehicle. Taking the BMW 320i as an example, it is a medium-sized 4-door 5-seater sedan with body dimensions of: length 4719mm, width 1827mm, height 1459mm, and a wheelbase of 2851mm. The BMW 320i is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum power of 115 kW and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. It features rear-wheel drive, with a front suspension using a double-joint spring strut front axle and a rear suspension employing a multi-link independent suspension.
On BMW vehicles, the air conditioning's external circulation is typically managed by a button on the control panel. That button features an arrow pointing outside the car or two arrows as its icon, not labeled with letters A or M. When the button light is off, it means the external circulation is enabled, allowing air to enter the cabin from outside; pressing it to light up the button activates internal circulation, where air circulates within the cabin. BMW's system design is intuitive, such as in the 3 Series or 5 Series models, where the button is located near the steering wheel or on the center console for direct operation. Additionally, external circulation is suitable for use in clear weather or during high-speed driving to maintain fresh air and prevent window fogging. Remember to switch back to internal circulation appropriately in areas with high pollen levels, but avoid keeping it on for too long to prevent stuffy air. BMW's automatic function has an A button, but that refers to the automatic mode controlling temperature and humidity—don't get them confused.
