[CircularMotion]

So I've got lci m-sport that has everything short of heated seats.

I have no clue how to use the auto climate control feature in the car when the engine is off/parked.

Have any of you used this? If so, what do I do?

[335m]

I am confused, what is the use case for this situation?

You are saying you want AC/heat with the engine off? I can barely cobb tune my car for 15-20min with lights on before the battery runs out of juice...

[335m]

If Manual push in the clutch and push the power button once/twice for AC/heat.
If Auto just push the brake in and push the power button once/twice for AC/heat.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by 335m

If Manual push in the clutch and push the power button once/twice for AC/heat.
If Auto just push the brake in and push the power button once/twice for AC/heat.

I don't see how AC will work with the engine off though.

OP hitting the "rest" button will activate the blower when the engine is off, but i believe is only designed for heat.

Edit: REST might only be for pre-lci.

[335m]

I believe I turned on the AC yesterday using the above method without turning the engine on, but I am not 100% sure.

[Ubersmooth]

I'm a pre LCI but in the idrive menu I can select 2 separate times for the fan to come on to cool the car.

[sankohuy]

How this works is like this. Let's say you're at work. Your lunch is usually 12pm...so before going into work, you would set the timer at 11:35 am for the car to turn on the blower, so your car interior would be cooled before you head out for lunch.
Of course if you don't have efficient battery life, the blower won't work. It doesn't turn the AC on, just the car fans.
Your interior won't be super cold, just a bit cooler by 5-10 degrees. I have this feature, but I never really use it, find it a waste of battery life, just find a shade and park. Works just a well. Now, the REST button however, I love that function!
Sorry for grammars, typed this using iPhone app

[bender rodriguez]

I used it a few times.. I found it was better to just put up a visor and crack the window. The idrive vent mode does not work very well.

[Don N.]

I think I've seen this option in my X5. I always thought it would crack the sunroof open to vent out or something. If it just turns the fan on without cracking the window or sunroof down slightly, would almost seem pointless. It'd just be pushing hot air around.

-Don

[kfriceman]

Originally Posted by 335m

I believe I turned on the AC yesterday using the above method without turning the engine on, but I am not 100% sure.

The AC needs the engine running for it to work, it is a compressor that is mechanically operated by the engines serpentine belt.

-Kevin

[CircularMotion]

LOL

By no means do I mean turning the ac on while the car is off.

I meant the venting method that's on the idrive/dash.

I have no clue how to get it to work. That was the point of this thread. I have no covered parking where I work and I wont leave my windows open. The sunshade helps but I have a black car with black interior.

[Desert_Fox]

If you have iDrive, Menu --> Settings --> Climate --> There will be three choices. Activate parked car ventilation (Press this box and the AC works without engine power), Set Timer #1, Set Timer #2. You do not need to check parked car ventilation to get the timers to work. As mentioned before, when set to a specific time and the box is checked, the AC will start blowing gently at the given time for about 15 minutes. It is an incredibly useful feature for hot days when you know your lunch or departure schedules.