Okay, this may sound like a silly question, but I need to ask. I recently found out about the two automatic air circulating timers in my car. Each timer lasts 30 minutes. I live in South Florida where it gets very hot and most times I get in my car it's even hotter inside. It can easily be 90 degrees outside, so inside is probably 100 or more I'd guess. Well, I thought I would start running the timed fans twice a day with the last one being just before I leave from work. It's not like it's running the AC, so the battery shouldn't drain much? Just concerned if I go on one of my weekly trips and forget they're set to run. Does anyone use this function? I assume BMW wouldn't include it if it wasn't safe.

 

I believe they limit thefunction to once a day, because it will in fact drain your battery. I would turn it off before you leave because you will be in a world of hurt if the battery dies...your cluster and i drive will light up like a christmas tree and you may need to have some removed by the dealership.

 

It does just work one time...it has to be reset each day in order to operate. Presumably, it is to avoid draining your battery if your car were sitting for an extended period of time.

 

I set it up but have not attempted to determine if it actually turned on the fan, and if so, for how many days.

 

Thanks for the input, I thought it would turn on everyday, but that's good to know it won't. I tested mine and I knew it was set because the AC knob blink green or red I think.

 

Yes, when you set, the AC knob blink red. But the red light is under the knob (6 position), it is not easy to see it before you leave your car. And it is one time timer. As you mentioned, you can set both timers, but it will cancel itself after each operation(30 mins).

There is third one, instant operation. It will start immediately for 30 mins.... Good when you just stop and get into shop to get something ....

BTW, if your battery is in good condition, it should not matter much. Maybe will reduce it life little bit due to extra charge/recharge cycle, but the feature is there meant for use. If you like it, just use it. I am in California, I use it a lot in my previous e39 and current e60. I don't feel any problem with Battery. For battery life in my previous e39....

first one: ( come with the new car ) ... 2 yrs.
second battery: (BMW oem, from US dealer) ... 4.5 yrs (still strong before I sold the car at 16.7K miles)

Same usage ... go figure. So each battery is different.

 

I use the timer function in the summer. I usually set it to 4:30PM. It makes a difference. The above is correct, you do have to re-activate it each day. I'll have to re-learn the voice command I found to get to the menu but I seldom could get it to activate by voice. I think it was "parked car operation". Then simply checking the box activates it (IIRC).

 

I use it in the summer time too... whether it killed the batter life or not who knows...

 

Thanks for all the input guys.