What is the operating instruction for the air conditioning in the older BMW 5 Series?
3 Answers
Below are the operating instructions for the air conditioning in the older BMW 5 Series: 1. Press the A/C button to activate the BMW 5 Series air conditioning system. The indicator light in the button will illuminate. Press the button again to turn off the compressor, and the indicator light will go out. 2. If the air conditioning performance is lower than expected, check the surface of the air conditioning condenser (located in front of the radiator) for dirt or insect buildup. Please visit a BMW 5 Series service station for cleaning. Placing obstructions in front of the engine hood will reduce airflow to the condenser, thereby lowering air conditioning performance. 3. After activating the external air circulation in the BMW 5 Series, the air intake located at the firewall will be opened by the air conditioning computer. The blower inside the vehicle will draw outside air through the micro-dust filter into the two heat exchangers (cooling and heating) inside the evaporator. The air processed by the heat exchangers will then be blown out through the vents. When the external circulation mode is activated, the air intake opens, connecting the air inside and outside the vehicle. For example, when encountering traffic congestion in the city, you can turn on the external circulation mode.
Using the air conditioning in an older BMW 5 Series is actually not difficult. I usually let the engine run for about half a minute after starting the car, waiting for it to stabilize before operating. The control area is located in the middle or lower part of the dashboard, with several large knobs or buttons: the temperature control knob is used to set your desired level of warmth or coolness, for example, turning it to around 24°C; pressing the AUTO button activates the automatic mode, which adjusts the fan speed and temperature changes on its own, making it quite hassle-free; the fan button allows manual adjustment of the airflow; on rainy or foggy days, use the defrost button, which has an icon resembling a fan. Remember to use the recirculation mode during traffic jams to prevent exhaust fumes, but prolonged use can easily cause fogging, so switch back to the fresh air mode after about half an hour. The air filter in older cars tends to accumulate dust, so I check it every few months to avoid odors or weak cooling. For daily driving, setting the temperature not too low, such as above 25°C, can also save some fuel.
New owners of older BMW 5 Series shouldn't be nervous about operating the AC. The startup procedure is: start the vehicle and wait a moment, then locate the AC switch on the control panel - most models have an AUTO button that activates the system when pressed. Rotate the temperature control knob to set your preferred level, typically between 20-26°C. The fan speed adjusts automatically, but you can manually adjust it using the fan +/- buttons if needed. Press the defrost button when encountering fogged windows for quick visibility clearance. Avoid immediately setting maximum fan speed after startup - gradually increase from low speed to let the system adapt. Use recirculation mode on dusty roads to prevent pollutants, but switch modes periodically to avoid cabin stuffiness. Remember that older systems respond slower, so be patient. Regular simple maintenance like cleaning filters can extend your AC's lifespan.
