What's the switch in the center console?

Mr. BMW · 03-05-2006, 04:33 PM

Don't have my car yet so I can't RTFM! There is a slide switch that can be set to 1 or 0. Just curious what that is for...

puck724 · 03-05-2006, 04:36 PM

i think your talking about the switch to open or close the vent for the cupholder in the console.

David328M-Sport · 03-05-2006, 04:39 PM

yeah, to keep drinks cool or warm if you can fit it in there. i dont use it for holding drinks myself

ksfrogman · 03-05-2006, 05:31 PM

That's for drinks? I was told it's for lipstick, in my case, chapstick.

LEDZEP · 03-05-2006, 05:47 PM

It's also a nice way to keep the iPod from getting too warm on those summer drives!

sdorn · 03-05-2006, 06:06 PM

It will hold a 12oz soft drink in a can quite well, and will keep it very cold. It is just as good as a refrigerator. You can control the temperature of the console using the temperature knob in the back seat. It will even keep a drink cold with the heater on if you set the temperature knob in the back on cold.

GoBonesGo · 03-05-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

Don't have my car yet so I can't RTFM!

Yes you can! Thanks to the great folks here at E90Post.com, of course

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471

JSpira · 03-05-2006, 06:45 PM

Didn't someone post (either here or on b'fest) that they had a can of soda in the console, and the heat was on, and it exploded.

Have to be careful with that switch.

sdorn · 03-05-2006, 06:51 PM

I put cans of coke in there with the heater on, and the can is cold. I keep the knob on the rear vents on blue all the time, though.

D.D. · 03-05-2006, 06:59 PM

Does this cause the AC compressor to run?

sdorn · 03-05-2006, 07:06 PM

I don't know. If it is cold enough outside to need the heater, maybe it just pulls cold air through from outside.

LEDZEP · 03-05-2006, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.D.

Does this cause the AC compressor to run?

It will only cool the inner console if the A/C is on. If the heat is on, it will HEAT the inner console. As JSpira has indicated, this may not be desirable. The temperature for the inner console vent is regulated by the temperature control setting for the rear passenger area.

I always turn the console switch completely off in the Winter (I have to wish to heat the inner console) and back on in Summer.

sdorn · 03-05-2006, 07:12 PM

I always have the snowflake button on, which I think is the a/c button. I also keep the rear vent control on blue all the time. Regardless of how cold it is outside or what temperature the climate control is set on, it always keeps my can of soda cold.

mapezzul · 03-05-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.D.

Does this cause the AC compressor to run?

If the auto temp control is on the compressor is on..... it is used in the winter to dry the air so the windows do not fog. You can turn it off by pushing the snowflake and turning it off but I always keep it on. The newer compressors are much more efficient and I believe the E90 actually cycles it on and off based on humidity when the outside air is colder than inside (i can not remember where I read this???) Regardless I hate when my windows fog and it is a safety issue.
The switch/blue knob controls nothing more than diverters, the climate control system controls the actual system and what is on, dispersal, temperature etc.

325 Baller · 03-05-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

It's also a nice way to keep the iPod from getting too warm on those summer drives!

that exactly what i do, well the ipod and the razr lol

LEDZEP · 03-05-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapezzul

If the auto temp control is on the compressor is on..... it is used in the winter to dry the air so the windows do not fog. You can turn it off by pushing the snowflake and turning it off but I always keep it on. The newer compressors are much more efficient and I believe the E90 actually cycles it on and off based on humidity when the outside air is colder than inside (i can not remember where I read this???) Regardless I hate when my windows fog and it is a safety issue.
The switch/blue knob controls nothing more than diverters, the climate control system controls the actual system and what is on, dispersal, temperature etc.

Everything you've said here is factual, but the OP question was about the center console climate setting. The temp switch for the rear passenger area controls the temperature of air sent to the console (assuming it's on).

Mr. BMW · 03-05-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G35_2_330

Yes you can! Thanks to the great folks here at E90Post.com, of course

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471

Cool! I didn't know about this, thanks.

sdorn · 03-05-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G35_2_330

Yes you can! Thanks to the great folks here at E90Post.com, of course

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471

I think this is an older version of the manual. Mine doesn't look like this, and mine has additional information that this one didn't have.

AudiA4 · 03-05-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David325Australia

yeah, to keep drinks cool or warm if you can fit it in there. i dont use it for holding drinks myself

Yeah, great feature except for the fact that its a totally worthless place to keep your drink. Who opens the console up and behind you while driving each time you get a drink? Especially with a manual transmission. It couldn't be more inconvenient. This would work much better if the console rolled back or was hinged on the side.

03-05-2006, 04:33 PM	#1
Mr. BMW Major 262 Rep 1,389 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 M3 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00] 2018 Jeep Grand Che ... [0.00]	What's the switch in the center console? Don't have my car yet so I can't RTFM! There is a slide switch that can be set to 1 or 0. Just curious what that is for...
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03-05-2006, 04:36 PM	#2
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i think your talking about the switch to open or close the vent for the cupholder in the console. __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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03-05-2006, 04:39 PM	#3
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	yeah, to keep drinks cool or warm if you can fit it in there. i dont use it for holding drinks myself __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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03-05-2006, 05:31 PM	#4
ksfrogman Major General 576 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	That's for drinks? I was told it's for lipstick, in my case, chapstick. __________________
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03-05-2006, 05:47 PM	#5
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	It's also a nice way to keep the iPod from getting too warm on those summer drives! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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03-05-2006, 06:06 PM	#6
sdorn Lieutenant 26 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 2006 Jet Black 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	It will hold a 12oz soft drink in a can quite well, and will keep it very cold. It is just as good as a refrigerator. You can control the temperature of the console using the temperature knob in the back seat. It will even keep a drink cold with the heater on if you set the temperature knob in the back on cold. __________________ 2008 Sparkling Graphite 535i 2009 Land Rover LR2 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo (SOLD) 2006 Jet Black 325i (SOLD) 2001 Bullitt Mustang (450rwhp - SOLD)
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03-05-2006, 06:45 PM	#8
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	Didn't someone post (either here or on b'fest) that they had a can of soda in the console, and the heat was on, and it exploded. Have to be careful with that switch. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-05-2006, 06:51 PM	#9
sdorn Lieutenant 26 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 2006 Jet Black 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I put cans of coke in there with the heater on, and the can is cold. I keep the knob on the rear vents on blue all the time, though. __________________ 2008 Sparkling Graphite 535i 2009 Land Rover LR2 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo (SOLD) 2006 Jet Black 325i (SOLD) 2001 Bullitt Mustang (450rwhp - SOLD)
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03-05-2006, 06:59 PM	#10
D.D. Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 330 xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Does this cause the AC compressor to run?
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03-05-2006, 07:06 PM	#11
sdorn Lieutenant 26 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 2006 Jet Black 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I don't know. If it is cold enough outside to need the heater, maybe it just pulls cold air through from outside. __________________ 2008 Sparkling Graphite 535i 2009 Land Rover LR2 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo (SOLD) 2006 Jet Black 325i (SOLD) 2001 Bullitt Mustang (450rwhp - SOLD)
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03-05-2006, 07:12 PM	#13
sdorn Lieutenant 26 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 2006 Jet Black 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I always have the snowflake button on, which I think is the a/c button. I also keep the rear vent control on blue all the time. Regardless of how cold it is outside or what temperature the climate control is set on, it always keeps my can of soda cold. __________________ 2008 Sparkling Graphite 535i 2009 Land Rover LR2 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo (SOLD) 2006 Jet Black 325i (SOLD) 2001 Bullitt Mustang (450rwhp - SOLD)
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