What's the point of this heating control?

[baz-j]

zed heating controls.jpg (84.62 KiB) Viewed 781 times

My zed has automatic air conditioning, but there is still a traditional hot/cold control wheel in the centre console. Can someone enlighten me what its purpose is when there are independent temperature control knobs for passenger and driver marked with degrees C? In the summer time with the air con off it seems to be a hot or hot control wheel - ie doesn't do much! If air con is on does the heating system ignore the wheel position?

[gadgetJunky72]

it lets you control the temperature of the air flowing to your upper body. e.g. the car needs to pump out really cold air to get the temp in the car down to whatever has been set on the climate control, but you'd prefer to have luke warm air go towards your face. most BMWs have this. it's a great feature.

[Wyldie85]

Had this in my 2010 3 series and it’s a very handy feature. Worked really well.

[baz-j]

Cool, more things to love about this car! Thanks

[brillomaster]

it lets you control the temperature of the air flowing to your upper body. e.g. the car needs to pump out really cold air to get the temp in the car down to whatever has been set on the climate control, but you'd prefer to have luke warm air go towards your face. most BMWs have this. it's a great feature.

equally useful for the reverse situation, when you're trying to heat the car up, but want to have cool air blowing on your face to keep you awake and alert.

[mr.tourette]

funnily enough i was wondering this the other day too and assumed it was for the air temp for the windscreen for dehumidifying purposes..i guess i was kinda close handy to know though

[ProfCJJ]

38279B52-B95D-472D-AAA5-33F2E0E7D988.jpeg (84.73 KiB) Viewed 578 times

Here’s a weird observation - the A/C dials on mine have the “frosty” A/C symbol as below ... as opposed to the A/C written above ... never noticed that before

1931F9CC-226A-44C3-AF9C-651EC8530947.jpeg (19.77 KiB) Viewed 578 times

[iancambs]

I also didn't realise that if you turn the car off, then press the fan button, the car will continue to blow hot air into the cabin for as long as the battery/residual heat in the engine can support it. Never used it but probably worthwhile if popping into a shop for five minutes in the winter.

[enuff_zed]

38279B52-B95D-472D-AAA5-33F2E0E7D988.jpeg

Here’s a weird observation - the A/C dials on mine have the “frosty” A/C symbol as below ... as opposed to the A/C written above ... never noticed that before

1931F9CC-226A-44C3-AF9C-651EC8530947.jpeg

You also seem to be missing the 'M' from the second button from the left?
Finally! Is this what people have been going on about for years, putting down the 'non-M' models?

[ProfCJJ]

You also seem to be missing the 'M' from the second button from the left?
Finally! Is this what people have been going on about for years, putting down the 'non-M' models?

And the "Off" from the second dial from the right!

Its weird to see such inconsistencies - is this common-place in BMW cars?

[enuff_zed]

You also seem to be missing the 'M' from the second button from the left?
Finally! Is this what people have been going on about for years, putting down the 'non-M' models?

And the "Off" from the second dial from the right!

Its weird to see such inconsistencies - is this common-place in BMW cars?

Are these pre- and post-LCI cars?

[brillomaster]

thought it was the difference between north american and european cars - europeans prefer symbols since we have so many different languages, whereas north american cars can use their words.

[ProfCJJ]

Are these pre- and post-LCI cars?

Mine is a 2011 pre-LCI

[enuff_zed]

Are these pre- and post-LCI cars?

Mine is a 2011 pre-LCI

Possibly it then.
The OP's is a 2013 and my 64-plate matches his.

[mcbutler]

What the heck is LCI, seen it mentioned so many times but never thought to ask what it is!!?? DOH