A/C output on Auto setting

Mike Atkisson · 04-09-2022, 09:12 AM

Trying to figure out if the A/C on my 2017 540i xdrive is operating correctly or if I need to have it looked at.

When I first get in the car the fans come on, cool the car off, and then run really low. After driving for a while, it starts to get warmer in the car. If I lower the temp setting the fans don't run any faster and it doesn't feel cooler overall in the car. I do have the fans at highest setting (for auto).

I checked the menu in the HVAC control unit and see there is a setting for incoming air, but don't know if there are any other setting ngs I might be missing.

We are already having 90+ days here in AZ so I want to try to get this figured out before it gets hot here.

AP · 04-09-2022, 09:50 AM

Couple of things to check

Fan speed. Note this setting causes confusion and it denotes the maximum fan speed you desire. That doesn't necessarily mean the system will need to use it, just what you would like as a possible maximum
You may want to ensure that you have it set at max for maximum airflow

The other thing to check is if you are in eco pro mode , the setting for not using a/c might be checked ( to save fuel) you will need to uncheck it so the compressor stays on the whole time rather than off occasionally to save some fuel which result in the cabin warming up a little

It might also be worth getting it degassed if it's not been done since 2017 . I have mine serviced every 3 years to keep it tip top

RonronEG · 04-09-2022, 10:42 AM

What's your stratification setting? Set all the way to cold and see if there is improvement.

My vehicle>vehicle settings>climate function>temp adjustment upper body> turn it all the way cold.

Spin the wheel all the way cold in the rear climate panel, too. I must have moved mine to hot when cleaning and the other day it hit 90 in CA and I turned the AC on and got ungodly hot air blowing in the back which made the car feel warm (and got sucked into my ventilated seats no doubt).

admranger · 04-09-2022, 08:13 PM

I have found that I need to set the temp of my M550 a few degrees cooler than my X3M40i. Dealer says everything is fine and I have new factory cabin filters. Whatever. I just set it lower and it's all good here in Vegas.

SteveinArizona · 04-10-2022, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Atkisson

Trying to figure out if the A/C on my 2017 540i xdrive is operating correctly or if I need to have it looked at.

When I first get in the car the fans come on, cool the car off, and then run really low. After driving for a while, it starts to get warmer in the car. If I lower the temp setting the fans don't run any faster and it doesn't feel cooler overall in the car. I do have the fans at highest setting (for auto).

I checked the menu in the HVAC control unit and see there is a setting for incoming air, but don't know if there are any other setting ngs I might be missing.

We are already having 90+ days here in AZ so I want to try to get this figured out before it gets hot here.

It is even hotter here in greater Phoenix. I do not have that problem on my 2018 530e. If it has been sitting in the sun for an extended period of time, and I don't turn on the AC with the app, I do turn on the AC on max for a couple of minutes and that does the job. Once I have cooled the car down, the AC automatic settings work fine to maintain the same comfort level for me.

Conclusion: your car is not operating properly.

Mike Atkisson · 04-10-2022, 11:31 AM

I am going to check the settings today to see if it is something simple. If not, I will ask the dealer to check it while the car is there for ambient light replacement.

I have lowered the temp expecting to get more airflow out of the vents, but it doesn't change. The air that is coming out is definitely cold, but no flow.

RonronEG · 04-10-2022, 12:00 PM

Also try taking it out of auto, all the way cold, top vents only and see if it actually gets cold and expected flow.

SteveinArizona · 04-10-2022, 03:17 PM

In most cars auto is exactly that...auto. Set it and that is the only setting. But BMW lets you adjust a number of different factors. So adjusting properly is important.

FoxberryJam · 04-10-2022, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

Fan speed. Note this setting causes confusion and it denotes the maximum fan speed you desire. That doesn't necessarily mean the system will need to use it, just what you would like as a possible maximum

I didn't know this. Ya learn something new everyday...

admranger · 04-10-2022, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonronEG

Also try taking it out of auto, all the way cold, top vents only and see if it actually gets cold and expected flow.

There used to be a dial w/BMWs that had blue and red squares on the center vent. You could use it to adjust the temp of the air coming out the upper vents regardless of what you set the HVAC controls to. Now that is set in the menus. Make sure yours is set to full cold.

RonronEG · 04-10-2022, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admranger

There used to be a dial w/BMWs that had blue and red squares on the center vent. You could use it to adjust the temp of the air coming out the upper vents regardless of what you set the HVAC controls to. Now that is set in the menus. Make sure yours is set to full cold.

Yup, I mentioned those in my first reply right above your first reply in this thread.

Mike Atkisson · 04-10-2022, 10:31 PM

Verified it is set on full cold and rear is all the way on cold. Will see how it goes on the drive home from work tomorrow.

David91 · 04-10-2022, 11:56 PM

Are there separate fans for front and rear vents? Could try closing off the rears a bit, see if it sends more air through the dash vents.

Burniksapwet · 04-11-2022, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Atkisson

Trying to figure out if the A/C on my 2017 540i xdrive is operating correctly or if I need to have it looked at.

When I first get in the car the fans come on, cool the car off, and then run really low. After driving for a while, it starts to get warmer in the car. If I lower the temp setting the fans don't run any faster and it doesn't feel cooler overall in the car. I do have the fans at highest setting (for auto).

I checked the menu in the HVAC control unit and see there is a setting for incoming air, but don't know if there are any other setting ngs I might be missing.

We are already having 90+ days here in AZ so I want to try to get this figured out before it gets hot here.

I'm sorry to say this might be an issue with the 17's. I have the same model and have been complaining about the a/c. Dealership kept saying it's normal. If you find a solution please let me know.

admranger · 04-11-2022, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonronEG

Yup, I mentioned those in my first reply right above your first reply in this thread.

Thanks. I'm old and retired. It's all I can do to remember what day it is.

AP · 04-11-2022, 11:31 AM

There have been quite a number of complaints about the air condition on these models
I have a 2017 model as well I seem to recall on a hot day when starting the car it would take a while before the a/c ramped up the fan speed and release it's hot inside. I had a software update in 2018 and I think (could be mistaken) that it improved the logic afterwards and was quicker to react.

I'm in the U.K. and would regard it as adequate but I've certainly had better systems in other cars including earlier bmws

ezaircon4jc · 04-11-2022, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admranger

Thanks. I'm old and retired. It's all I can do to remember what day it is.

When I woke up after my heart surgery the nurse was giving me the cognitive test and asked me if I knew what day it was. I figured it was the same day, so I said Sunday. She said no, it was Monday. I told her I was retired and barely knew the month let alone the day!

en1gma · 04-11-2022, 03:56 PM

As mentioned previously, check your fan speed.

I was used to Auto being, erm Auto, in a BMW but when I got a G30 I eventually realised the fan speed setting dictated how hard and fast the max airflow would be even in Auto…

I'm sure there was a lot of discussion about this around 2017 when the G30 was introduced!

HighlandPete · 04-11-2022, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by en1gma

As mentioned previously, check your fan speed.

I was used to Auto being, erm Auto, in a BMW but when I got a G30 I eventually realised the fan speed setting dictated how hard and fast the max airflow would be even in Auto…

I'm sure there was a lot of discussion about this around 2017 when the G30 was introduced!

We also had the issue with how the intensity setting worked with the F10 on Auto mode. Even the E60, when the intensity control was in the iDrive menus.

r1cero · 04-12-2022, 04:24 AM

There are many complaints on g30 about AC if you search the forum. I've gone through many of the posts and my conclusion for the hot days is to make sure your cabin filter isn't clogged, your fan on AUTO settings is set at least on the half, and override for driver and passenger is set to max cold. Additionally, I will be putting anti-UV transparent window tints on front windows.

Also, found that someone was saying that even software update can help.

Burniksapwet · 04-12-2022, 10:44 PM

I installed a remote start on my car. This is helping with the heat as I make sure to turn it on before I get in to my car.

NGT2 · 04-12-2022, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burniksapwet

I installed a remote start on my car. This is helping with the heat as I make sure to turn it on before I get in to my car.

What did that entail? I missed that feature in January.

04-09-2022, 09:12 AM	#1
Mike Atkisson Private First Class 22 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW 540ix Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [0.00]	A/C output on Auto setting Trying to figure out if the A/C on my 2017 540i xdrive is operating correctly or if I need to have it looked at. When I first get in the car the fans come on, cool the car off, and then run really low. After driving for a while, it starts to get warmer in the car. If I lower the temp setting the fans don't run any faster and it doesn't feel cooler overall in the car. I do have the fans at highest setting (for auto). I checked the menu in the HVAC control unit and see there is a setting for incoming air, but don't know if there are any other setting ngs I might be missing. We are already having 90+ days here in AZ so I want to try to get this figured out before it gets hot here.
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04-09-2022, 09:50 AM	#2
AP Major General 2882 Rep 5,168 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Couple of things to check Fan speed. Note this setting causes confusion and it denotes the maximum fan speed you desire. That doesn't necessarily mean the system will need to use it, just what you would like as a possible maximum You may want to ensure that you have it set at max for maximum airflow The other thing to check is if you are in eco pro mode , the setting for not using a/c might be checked ( to save fuel) you will need to uncheck it so the compressor stays on the whole time rather than off occasionally to save some fuel which result in the cabin warming up a little It might also be worth getting it degassed if it's not been done since 2017 . I have mine serviced every 3 years to keep it tip top
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04-09-2022, 10:42 AM	#3
RonronEG Lieutenant 338 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	What's your stratification setting? Set all the way to cold and see if there is improvement. My vehicle>vehicle settings>climate function>temp adjustment upper body> turn it all the way cold. Spin the wheel all the way cold in the rear climate panel, too. I must have moved mine to hot when cleaning and the other day it hit 90 in CA and I turned the AC on and got ungodly hot air blowing in the back which made the car feel warm (and got sucked into my ventilated seats no doubt).
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04-09-2022, 08:13 PM	#4
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 3001 Rep 4,085 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	I have found that I need to set the temp of my M550 a few degrees cooler than my X3M40i. Dealer says everything is fine and I have new factory cabin filters. Whatever. I just set it lower and it's all good here in Vegas. __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '21 X7 40i AW/Black, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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04-10-2022, 11:31 AM	#6
Mike Atkisson Private First Class 22 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW 540ix Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [0.00]	I am going to check the settings today to see if it is something simple. If not, I will ask the dealer to check it while the car is there for ambient light replacement. I have lowered the temp expecting to get more airflow out of the vents, but it doesn't change. The air that is coming out is definitely cold, but no flow.
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04-10-2022, 12:00 PM	#7
RonronEG Lieutenant 338 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	Also try taking it out of auto, all the way cold, top vents only and see if it actually gets cold and expected flow.
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04-10-2022, 03:17 PM	#8
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3088 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	In most cars auto is exactly that...auto. Set it and that is the only setting. But BMW lets you adjust a number of different factors. So adjusting properly is important.
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04-10-2022, 10:31 PM	#12
Mike Atkisson Private First Class 22 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW 540ix Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [0.00]	Verified it is set on full cold and rear is all the way on cold. Will see how it goes on the drive home from work tomorrow.
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04-10-2022, 11:56 PM	#13
David91 New Member 13 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Huntersville NC iTrader: (0)	Are there separate fans for front and rear vents? Could try closing off the rears a bit, see if it sends more air through the dash vents.
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04-11-2022, 11:31 AM	#16
AP Major General 2882 Rep 5,168 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	There have been quite a number of complaints about the air condition on these models I have a 2017 model as well I seem to recall on a hot day when starting the car it would take a while before the a/c ramped up the fan speed and release it's hot inside. I had a software update in 2018 and I think (could be mistaken) that it improved the logic afterwards and was quicker to react. I'm in the U.K. and would regard it as adequate but I've certainly had better systems in other cars including earlier bmws
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04-11-2022, 03:56 PM	#18
en1gma Lieutenant 200 Rep 469 Posts Drives: G03 X3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	As mentioned previously, check your fan speed. I was used to Auto being, erm Auto, in a BMW but when I got a G30 I eventually realised the fan speed setting dictated how hard and fast the max airflow would be even in Auto… I'm sure there was a lot of discussion about this around 2017 when the G30 was introduced!
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04-12-2022, 04:24 AM	#20
r1cero Private First Class 81 Rep 179 Posts Drives: bmw 520d g30 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: south east europe iTrader: (0)	There are many complaints on g30 about AC if you search the forum. I've gone through many of the posts and my conclusion for the hot days is to make sure your cabin filter isn't clogged, your fan on AUTO settings is set at least on the half, and override for driver and passenger is set to max cold. Additionally, I will be putting anti-UV transparent window tints on front windows. Also, found that someone was saying that even software update can help.
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04-12-2022, 10:44 PM	#21
Burniksapwet Second Lieutenant 50 Rep 266 Posts Drives: Bmw 540i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0)	I installed a remote start on my car. This is helping with the heat as I make sure to turn it on before I get in to my car.
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