[boonkgang13k]

I'm confused if I should turn on A/C during winter. I changed the setting, so that only warm air is coming out. What are the benefits or disadvantages using A/C during winter? Also, when the engine is off, the air is not as warm as the engine is on, what should I do?

[Mach550]

Originally Posted by boonkgang13k

I'm confused if I should turn on A/C during winter. I changed the setting, so that only warm air is coming out. What are the benefits or disadvantages using A/C during winter? Also, when the engine is off, the air is not as warm as the engine is on, what should I do?

If you want A/C or "cool" air you should have it turned on. The engine is what makes heat for your heater so it makes sense that if the engine is off and cooling down it wouldn't warm the cabin.

[Radu328i]

Time to time you have to turn it on for 5 -10 min. to oil de gaskets and avoid the further leaks.

[Shadowmak]

Mine is always on - the A/C doesnt cool the air anymore automatically (if ur talking about the automatic A/C not the manual of the CS) if the outside temperature is below (if i remember right) 5°C but it always drys the air in the car (esp. important in the winter with all the snow (so water in the end) at ur shoes and clothes...).

[BeEmVe]

Did you know that the AC is used when the ventilation is set to defrost?? The AC is used to dry out the air.

[Gary pa28]

Leave it on , never turn mine off damp humid ,rainy days keeps the inside windows clear

[DanG]

Leave it on. It acts as a dehumidifier in the winter.

[wrickem]

AUTO for everything, all year long.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by boonkgang13k

I'm confused if I should turn on A/C during winter. I changed the setting, so that only warm air is coming out. What are the benefits or disadvantages using A/C during winter? Also, when the engine is off, the air is not as warm as the engine is on, what should I do?

I'm a set and forget "Climate Control" user. Set temperature to 20C, Auto settings, AC on, Auto recirculation on, low intensity air flow setting, face vent temperature to suit mood and/or season. Hardly ever touch any setting, whether -5C to 30C.

Leave the system to keep the climate as constant as possible. Heat, chill, demist, dehumidify, etc. I'm in quite a humid environment, the full climate control keeps a dry and smell free vehicle.

[No one]

Originally Posted by boonkgang13k

when the engine is off, the air is not as warm as the engine is on, what should I do?

When the engine is off the car does not run that easily. What do you do to have it move?

"A/C" as "Air Conditioning" can be used for the purpose in any season. The "Air Cooling" function is fool proof (in modern cars, at least?) and reportedly just does not work in cold weather even if it is "on": regardless automatic climate or not. See the user manual for usage suggestions and precautions (if any).

Regarding dehumidifying. Those who not only went to school but learned there as well should be aware (from thermodynamics basics?) that it's a side effect of cooling: the water is being removed from the air by condensing on the cold radiator that's cooling the air (you can find the water underneath the vehicle afterwards). No cooling = no drying. This simple. (A disclaimer: the refrigerating air cooling is meant, not the evaporative cooling which wouldn't dehumidify, just the opposite.)

Therefore it's doubtful if air cooling can be used for defrosting the windows but you can try as the manual suggests. It should be safe to keep the air cooling on all the time if you don't need that engine power consumed for it and neither mind some fuel consumption it takes, apparently. Otherwise mind your need for the function and consider turning it off for ultimate efficiency when it's not needed. If it's the dehumidifying you are after (often in cool weather?) and cooling is an unwanted side effect use the air heating function to compensate (and take some heat which might be extra sometimes off the engine meanwhile) when using air conditioning in manual mode.

[jmg]

Unless you want your car to smell like a used jock strap, AC is always on. Despite popular belief, ac doesn't cause smelly vents. Turning them off causes it especially in winter, when moisture from the snow and rain adds to the moisture in your car cabin.

[TomHudson]

Originally Posted by No one

When the engine is off the car does not run that easily. What do you do to have it move?

"A/C" as "Air Conditioning" can be used for the purpose in any season. The "Air Cooling" function is fool proof (in modern cars, at least?) and reportedly just does not work in cold weather even if it is "on": regardless automatic climate or not. See the user manual for usage suggestions and precautions (if any).

Regarding dehumidifying. Those who not only went to school but learned there as well should be aware (from thermodynamics basics?) that it's a side effect of cooling: the water is being removed from the air by condensing on the cold radiator that's cooling the air (you can find the water underneath the vehicle afterwards). No cooling = no drying. This simple. (A disclaimer: the refrigerating air cooling is meant, not the evaporative cooling which wouldn't dehumidify, just the opposite.)

Therefore it's doubtful if air cooling can be used for defrosting the windows but you can try as the manual suggests. It should be safe to keep the air cooling on all the time if you don't need that engine power consumed for it and neither mind some fuel consumption it takes, apparently. Otherwise mind your need for the function and consider turning it off for ultimate efficiency when it's not needed. If it's the dehumidifying you are after (often in cool weather?) and cooling is an unwanted side effect use the air heating function to compensate (and take some heat which might be extra sometimes off the engine meanwhile) when using air conditioning in manual mode.

Air conditioning still works when it’s cold, just as a heat exchanger would.

It is designed to run through all seasons and, yes it does have a an affect of being a dehumidifier, especially when the cabin is damp from passengers.

Auto manufacturers set them up that way, so,seals and gaskets don’t dry out.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by BeEmVe

Did you know that the AC is used when the ventilation is set to defrost?? The AC is used to dry out the air.

FINALLY, someone else knows about this haha.

A/C is your friend year round, not just during summer months.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TomHudson

Air conditioning still works when it’s cold, just as a heat exchanger would.

It is designed to run through all seasons and, yes it does have a an affect of being a dehumidifier, especially when the cabin is damp from passengers.

Auto manufacturers set them up that way, so,seals and gaskets don’t dry out.

Agree.

Plus the HVAC system is designed to protect itself in colder temperatures. Will switch off the compressor if the evaporator temperature drops below ~3C. So we don't need to intervene at all. We get the dehumidifying function to the lowest possible temperature possible in a car's HVAC system.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I only turn AC on when needed.

[1claire]

I turn it on for a couple minutes then turn it off afterward.

[thomaswang573@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by boonkgang13k

I'm confused if I should turn on A/C during winter. I changed the setting, so that only warm air is coming out. What are the benefits or disadvantages using A/C during winter? Also, when the engine is off, the air is not as warm as the engine is on, what should I do?

the firtst things is BMW a/c compressor is alterrable design .so if we tur on the A/C , even though the light will be lights up. but the compressor 's load is low.it's according to the temperature the sensor inner the front window and the driver's setting.
so if you wanna the warm air the engine must be on ,it's the principle

[tranquility]

I don't think one has to turn on a/c during winter, didn't read anything about that in the manual.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I don't think one has to turn on a/c during winter, didn't read anything about that in the manual.

I suppose it depends on what our winter temperatures are and how much humidity there is in our environment.

I see the HVAC system for what it is, "climate control", not simply do we need A/C function switched on.

I can understand users in sub zero temperatures switching the A/C function off, but not for guys like me, where temperature swings are quite large during winter with high humidity. I need A/C more in winter for dehumidifying than I need it in summer for cooling. Hence why I simply leave the climate control in full auto mode, no misting, fogging, or damp, in the car.

[pokerface]

We leave ours on AUTO.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

my nose is dry when i turn the heat on

[Kooch]

I leave it off year round unless I have fogging issues. I can notice the difference between on and off in performance and prefer it off. Personal preference.