[Newbie0704]

Hi everyone,

My drive is 530i and is it common for outside smell enter the car cabin? Is quite common for me even the car is moving.

Please share/advise

Thank you.

[akuwes710]

I always have mine on recirculation mode, most times nothing comes in… definitely unusual

[LogicalApex]

This is normal if you aren’t in recirculating mode. As outside air will be pulled in. Even in recirculating mode it will still occasionally pull outside air in so you don’t suffocate. Just a lot less frequently.

There is an auto recirculating mode, but I don’t think it works personally. I have to always hit it manually to stop foul smelling trucks.

[rts2101]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

There is an auto recirculating mode, but I don’t think it works personally. I have to always hit it manually to stop foul smelling trucks.

Agree. I've mine set to auto recirculate...but I have never seen it enter that mode unless I do it manually when I'm behind a car that needs new exhaust system/tune up. Unless it goes to auto recirc and doesn't light up the button. But I don't think that's the case.

[akuwes710]

Yeah auto doesnt work for me personally either, hence always put recirculation on. My trips are always short, 1 hr max so i have yet to see recirculation turned off to let outside air in. Im sure it works tho

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by rts2101

Agree. I've mine set to auto recirculate...but I have never seen it enter that mode unless I do it manually when I'm behind a car that needs new exhaust system/tune up. Unless it goes to auto recirc and doesn't light up the button. But I don't think that's the case.

Originally Posted by akuwes710

Yeah auto doesnt work for me personally either, hence always put recirculation on. My trips are always short, 1 hr max so i have yet to see recirculation turned off to let outside air in. Im sure it works tho

In neither of the scenarios mentioned in the quotes above will you “SEE” the system change. Although…you may be able to “hear” it…like when the fresh air flap opens/closes. You select either auto recirculate or recirculate…and the system will open/close or close (then open for a few seconds then close again) automatically. The LED on the button (or however it is indicated on the G30) will NOT change.

I believe the AUC sensor (the sniffer sensor) does not actually close the fresh air flaps for smells…but closes for specific amounts of pollution (carbon monoxide & nitrous gases/pollutants). Some “bad odors” may shut the fresh air flaps if something in the air meets the threshold or criteria…but for the most part…bad smells may not close the fresh air flaps. You would need to manually select recirculate to close the fresh air flaps.

Here’s some info below from the BMW TIS that describes some of the working parameters of the auto IHKA system in regards to auto recirculation & the AUC sensor that works in conjunction with that feature…and recirculation feature.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

In neither of the scenarios mentioned in the quotes above will you “SEE” the system change. Although…you may be able to “hear” it…like when the fresh air flap opens/closes. You select either auto recirculate or recirculate…and the system will open/close or close (then open for a few seconds then close again) automatically. The LED on the button (or however it is indicated on the G30) will NOT change.

I believe the AUC sensor (the sniffer sensor) does not actually close the fresh air flaps for smells…but closes for specific amounts of pollution (carbon monoxide & nitrous gases/pollutants). Some “bad odors” may shut the fresh air flaps if something in the air meets the threshold or criteria…but for the most part…bad smells may not close the fresh air flaps. You would need to manually select recirculate to close the fresh air flaps.

Here’s some info below from the BMW TIS that describes some of the working parameters of the auto IHKA system in regards to auto recirculation & the AUC sensor that works in conjunction with that feature…and recirculation feature.

That was a good read, but I have never seen it stop or block nasty diesel trucks. It just fills with the diesel fumes and smell in the car unless I manually activate recirculating.