What are the functions of the BMW air conditioning buttons?
3 Answers
BMW air conditioning buttons can activate the internal and external circulation functions of the air conditioning system. Internal Circulation: Internal circulation means the air blown by the blower only circulates inside the vehicle, similar to using an electric fan with the door closed. Since no external air is involved, internal circulation offers the advantages of fuel efficiency and faster cooling. However, for this same reason, the air inside the vehicle does not get refreshed. External Circulation: Compared to internal circulation, the main feature of the external circulation mode in a car's air conditioning system is its ability to maintain fresh air inside the vehicle (especially in areas with good external air quality). This is because external circulation draws air from outside the vehicle into the cabin via the blower. Due to this characteristic, the cooling effect of external circulation is less pronounced. When external circulation is activated, the air intake located at the firewall is opened by the air conditioning computer, and the vehicle's blower draws external air through a micro-dust filter into the two heat exchangers (for cooling and heating) inside the evaporator. The air processed by the heat exchangers is then blown out through the vents.
I've been driving a BMW for many years, and the air conditioning buttons are very user-friendly. There are temperature knobs near the steering wheel or on the center console—turning left cools and turning right heats, allowing you to set the ideal temperature. The fan speed buttons, marked with plus or minus, control the airflow intensity. Pressing the AUTO button lets the system automatically adjust temperature and fan speed, which is incredibly convenient. There's also a mode button to switch airflow positions, such as the front defogging mode, which is super useful on rainy days. The recirculation button controls the air source—engaging it during traffic jams helps avoid exhaust fumes. In summer, don’t forget to press the AC button to activate cooling, while in winter, turning off AC and just using the heater is sufficient. The BMW's central display offers more settings, like automatic defrost or dual-zone control, making driving comfortable and safe. It saves me a lot of effort on long drives.
As someone who often studies cars, I really like the layout of BMW's air conditioning buttons. The temperature control knob directly sets the target temperature, and the system adjusts based on internal and external conditions; the fan speed buttons manually adjust the airflow strength; the AUTO mode enables intelligent control with a single press, eliminating the need for manual intervention; the air recirculation button selects between fresh air or recirculating cabin air, which is very convenient when air quality is poor; the mode selection button switches the air vent direction, such as the defog mode which quickly clears windshield fog. The AC button independently controls the cooling system, ensuring comfort in summer. All these buttons are designed with user-friendliness in mind, offering simple operation without complex menus, reducing the risk of driving distractions, which is especially helpful for long drives.
