: : : Driving across the state today in 85 degree sun, I couldn't adjust the ac to a good comfort level. I noticed that no air was coming into the footwells when in the auto setting, although pushing the manual button to direct air to the lower area worked. Is this normal? Thanks for any input.

: : : John
: : : '97 528i

: :
: : Yes that is normal - if your system is set to "Hot Country" - as opposed to "Normal" (confused yet?

: : There are 2 optional programs for the climate control system - "Normal" and "Hot Country".

: : The cars have these options initially set according to where they are being sold. I "understand" that cars sold in the southern USA are normally set to Hot Country - but I suspect that this is not rigid.

: : And replacement Climate control units may have either setting. It would be up to the technician to check and reset them according to your requirements.

: :
: : To provide more confusion the
: : "Hot Country" setting can be applied individually to:
: : - the blower operation
: : - the lower vent flaps
: : - the upper defrost vent flaps.

: : If you want some cool air out the lower vents when the A/C is on you will have to have the "footwell" flaps set to "NORMAL" - otherwise they are closed during cooling - apparently to put all cooling out the dash vents where it will be most felt.

: : These changes must be done by your dealer using the DIS system.

: : I currently have my blower set to hot country but the vent flaps set to normal in an attempt to get more even distribution of cooling air.

: : Be aware - the vents do not open fully so you will only get a small percentage of the cooling air out the lower and upper vents - most will still come from the dash vents.
: : At lease that is how it was a year ago - may be different on later cars.

: : I agree with you that the A/C system needs further improvement. Even with he other vents open there is too much direct air.
: : The heat from the dash area seems to radiate onto the face area - and to cool that you need to direct the dash vents at you. Then the face gets cold while the rest of you is still warm.

: : I really miss the big dash to vent that provided better diffusion of the cool air into the upper cabin. BMW said the the E39 did not have enough room in the dash to provice this - but I think that was an incorrect statement - there is "lots" of open space under that area of the dash for a vent like on the 7 series.

: : Hopefully they will return it on the next five, as opposed to get rid of it on the 7.

: : Cheers
: : Jim Cash