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Footwell hotter on driver side than passenger side?

Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 3:22 pm
by PaperSniper
My car is about 3 years old....getting ready to go off USA warranty. The last two months or so I've noticed my footwell, down where my feet are, is hot. I thought it was my imagination or the sun was shining down there. Nope. After several more times driving it's warmer there than the passenger side. I have "measured" difference by the scientific method of sticking my hand down on each side. :roll:

Anyone else had this issue?

Doug

Footwell hotter on driver side than passenger side?

Posted: Wed May 24, 2023 7:26 am
by ori
Strange one. Modern cars have lots of valves in the heating system.
Is climate set to auto? If you manually deselect feet circulation does air still hit the floor?

Footwell hotter on driver side than passenger side?

Posted: Wed May 24, 2023 12:51 pm
by PaperSniper
ori wrote: Wed May 24, 2023 7:26 am Strange one. Modern cars have lots of valves in the heating system.
Is climate set to auto? If you manually deselect feet circulation does air still hit the floor?
I don't use the "Auto" climate setting summer or winter. If I turn on the AC and it's directed to the footwell and dash, I do feel cooler air in both places on both sides. If the fan is OFF I notice the heat disparity in warm weather. I don't notice it in the winter which makes sense to me. I've never been impressed with the fan's performance in this car, even at HIGH it's not what I'd consider a strong fan. But I think that's about par for the BMWs we've owned.

I am going to take it to the dealer against my better judgment....or maybe in my best interests. The "new car" warranty expires the end of next month. I think major components are covered for 50k miles and five years <?>, but I'm far from that at about 14k miles. It's probably best to have them inspect the car prior to expiration of any warranty just in case something related goes bad. Documentation never hurts, although I hate to leave the car at the dealer for something like this that will require a bit of trouble shooting. I'm really worried they might fiddle with the dash. In my experience that always results in an annoying rattle! :o

Doug

Footwell hotter on driver side than passenger side?

Posted: Wed May 24, 2023 2:52 pm
by MikeyH
Nothing changes then, my 19 year old E85 does the same, sometimes it’s so hot it feels as if my foot will get burnt off :D I was told it’s to do with the cooling system needing a bleed.

Footwell hotter on driver side than passenger side?

Posted: Wed May 24, 2023 4:01 pm
by PaperSniper
Cooling system needing a bleed makes it hot. That does sound a bit strange! 8)