Mine's a '91, and the ventilation option works. It seems to just run the fan. No heat, no cooling. Best use for it is when you take somebody from the office to lunch, and have the fan already running when you get in the car. It's especially effective on technoweenies who have the latest '00 or '01 Acura, Lexus, Infinity, etc... I am a battery-conserving-grouch, so I only use that option when necessary.