BMW Connect Question

MmmmmM2 · 05-02-2019, 02:02 PM

Hey all. I finally got my phone programmed with my BMW so I can unlock, lock, what have you...

My question is this, with the "Ventilate Now" option, does this just turn on air flow and not A/C? The reason I'm asking this, because if you turn it on remotely on a hot day, it isn't going to do squat to cool the car down.

skyline408 · 05-02-2019, 02:33 PM

That is correct. I will just vent the air and not turn on AC.

MmmmmM2 · 05-02-2019, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline408

That is correct. I will just vent the air and not turn on AC.

Well now that's kind of worthless, isn't it??

NYG · 05-02-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Well now that's kind of worthless, isn't it??

It helps a little bit but not enough to ever use it. You've got perfect weather over there even when it's hot, it's definitely more useful in high humidity settings.

Back when I started using Connected in 2017, any time I would lock/unlock/send directions/vent the car, my iDrive system would be all screwed up for a few days or until I reset and resetup all my phones. Hopefully it's not as bad any more but still.

MmmmmM2 · 05-02-2019, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYG

It helps a little bit but not enough to ever use it. You've got perfect weather over there even when it's hot, it's definitely more useful in high humidity settings.

Back when I started using Connected in 2017, any time I would lock/unlock/send directions/vent the car, my iDrive system would be all screwed up for a few days or until I reset and resetup all my phones. Hopefully it's not as bad any more but still.

Yeah, I don't plan on using it. I have a sunscreen anyway which keeps it cool enough.

CajunBMW · 05-02-2019, 05:17 PM

I find it works OK and on the hottest days and it can make a difference. As pointed out above, a sun screen and window shades can make a big difference, but my car still gets hot when it is above 100 and with the high humidity, venting for a bit, say 15-30 mins does help the car cool down and make it less miserable when I get in. I also use max AC as soon as I enter the car during the fun days of summer to cool it down as quickly as possibly - my goal is to try to keep from cooking my back side. It is definitely safe to say that one can you live without this feature, but I find it helps me and thus when I get reminded by the app to vent the car, I go for it.

MmmmmM2 · 05-02-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunBMW

I find it works OK and on the hottest days and it can make a difference. As pointed out above, a sun screen and window shades can make a big difference, but my car still gets hot when it is above 100 and with the high humidity, venting for a bit, say 15-30 mins does help the car cool down and make it less miserable when I get in. I also use max AC as soon as I enter the car during the fun days of summer to cool it down as quickly as possibly - my goal is to try to keep from cooking my back side. It is definitely safe to say that one can you live without this feature, but I find it helps me and thus when I get reminded by the app to vent the car, I go for it.

Fair point, but how much drain is this feature putting on your battery? Especially if you start venting 15-30 minutes early? I can't imagine that is good for battery life.

CajunBMW · 05-02-2019, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunBMW

I find it works OK and on the hottest days and it can make a difference. As pointed out above, a sun screen and window shades can make a big difference, but my car still gets hot when it is above 100 and with the high humidity, venting for a bit, say 15-30 mins does help the car cool down and make it less miserable when I get in. I also use max AC as soon as I enter the car during the fun days of summer to cool it down as quickly as possibly - my goal is to try to keep from cooking my back side. It is definitely safe to say that one can you live without this feature, but I find it helps me and thus when I get reminded by the app to vent the car, I go for it.

Fair point, but how much drain is this feature putting on your battery? Especially if you start venting 15-30 minutes early? I can't imagine that is good for battery life.

That is a good point and I don't know the answer to that. I suppose that might ultimately define the usefulness of the feature. Because the car is so bloody hot in the summer, I favor venting the car if it works. I suppose it could be a placebo effect but I think it makes my car more comfortable.

MmmmmM2 · 05-02-2019, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunBMW

That is a good point and I don't know the answer to that. I suppose that might ultimately define the usefulness of the feature. Because the car is so bloody hot in the summer, I favor venting the car if it works. I suppose it could be a placebo effect but I think it makes my car more comfortable.

Well I can't blame you...You live in LA. I visited Miami once and man that was enough for me. I can't stand humidity so you gotta do what you gotta do!

ooshnoo · 05-02-2019, 06:53 PM

Good luck getting it work. They have had server issues for months, and people are ripping them a new one on both the Apple and Android app stores. I've called them many times to no avail...like countless other folks.

MmmmmM2 · 05-02-2019, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooshnoo

Good luck getting it work. They have had server issues for months, and people are ripping them a new one on both the Apple and Android app stores. I've called them many times to no avail...like countless other folks.

Works fine for me.

:

rlmesq · 05-02-2019, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline408

That is correct. I will just vent the air and not turn on AC.

Because AC doesn't work unless the engine is running. I understand BMW is finally making remote start available on the G series.

evdok · 05-02-2019, 09:32 PM

I some times use it after a trip using the A/C so the pipework dry's out reducing the mould growth & stale smell.

Elvisfan · 05-02-2019, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Fair point, but how much drain is this feature putting on your battery? Especially if you start venting 15-30 minutes early? I can't imagine that is good for battery life.

It probably doesn’t use anymore juice than leaving the electronics on for a few minutes after you shut the car off.

CajunBMW · 05-03-2019, 03:02 AM

As long as the connected app works, the venting process from a phone/computing standpoint works well for me. I have been fortunate to not experience issues with the servers. For me, since the connected app syncs with my calendar, it alerts me say 30 mins or so before an appointment or a pickup of one of my kids, etc., thus I can easily say yes or no to venting the car. When I had to remember to do it manually, I usually turned it on as I was walking out the door of my work, which was usually pretty useless.

Skyhigh · 05-03-2019, 04:55 AM

It works well for me and it does help cool down the interior during a sunny day (I have black interior).
I also use it when I don't drive the car for prolonged periods in the winter to just exchange the air inside and vent it.
Also used when we leave the cat in the car during ferry trips.

Fresh air is always good.

05-02-2019, 02:02 PM	#1
MmmmmM2 Colonel 2589 Rep 2,432 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Claremont, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda CX-5 [0.00] 2021 BMW M2C [0.00]	BMW Connect Question Hey all. I finally got my phone programmed with my BMW so I can unlock, lock, what have you... My question is this, with the "Ventilate Now" option, does this just turn on air flow and not A/C? The reason I'm asking this, because if you turn it on remotely on a hot day, it isn't going to do squat to cool the car down.
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05-02-2019, 02:33 PM	#2
skyline408 Major 1574 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: 2023 G80 M3 2022 F95 X5M Join Date: May 2013 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (1)	That is correct. I will just vent the air and not turn on AC.
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05-02-2019, 05:17 PM	#6
CajunBMW Lieutenant Colonel 1289 Rep 1,641 Posts Drives: BMW 340i and X1, Chrysler Van Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Shreveport, LA iTrader: (0)	I find it works OK and on the hottest days and it can make a difference. As pointed out above, a sun screen and window shades can make a big difference, but my car still gets hot when it is above 100 and with the high humidity, venting for a bit, say 15-30 mins does help the car cool down and make it less miserable when I get in. I also use max AC as soon as I enter the car during the fun days of summer to cool it down as quickly as possibly - my goal is to try to keep from cooking my back side. It is definitely safe to say that one can you live without this feature, but I find it helps me and thus when I get reminded by the app to vent the car, I go for it.
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05-02-2019, 06:53 PM	#10
ooshnoo Lieutenant Colonel 878 Rep 1,687 Posts Drives: 2014 428i and 2018 X5 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X5 [0.00] 2014 BMW 428i [10.00]	Good luck getting it work. They have had server issues for months, and people are ripping them a new one on both the Apple and Android app stores. I've called them many times to no avail...like countless other folks. __________________ ___________________ 2014 F32 428i M-Sport 2018 F15 M-Sport
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05-02-2019, 09:32 PM	#13
evdok Lieutenant Colonel 823 Rep 1,910 Posts Drives: 330D M/SPORT xDRIVE INDIVIDUAL Join Date: May 2015 Location: WORCESTERSHIRE iTrader: (0)	I some times use it after a trip using the A/C so the pipework dry's out reducing the mould growth & stale smell. __________________ Happy Motoring Evdok
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05-03-2019, 03:02 AM	#15
CajunBMW Lieutenant Colonel 1289 Rep 1,641 Posts Drives: BMW 340i and X1, Chrysler Van Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Shreveport, LA iTrader: (0)	As long as the connected app works, the venting process from a phone/computing standpoint works well for me. I have been fortunate to not experience issues with the servers. For me, since the connected app syncs with my calendar, it alerts me say 30 mins or so before an appointment or a pickup of one of my kids, etc., thus I can easily say yes or no to venting the car. When I had to remember to do it manually, I usually turned it on as I was walking out the door of my work, which was usually pretty useless.
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05-03-2019, 04:55 AM	#16
Skyhigh Brigadier General 1890 Rep 3,877 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	It works well for me and it does help cool down the interior during a sunny day (I have black interior). I also use it when I don't drive the car for prolonged periods in the winter to just exchange the air inside and vent it. Also used when we leave the cat in the car during ferry trips. Fresh air is always good. __________________ "Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
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