[jihong]

When I set my circulation mode to auto, it doesn’t seem to sense pollutants outside. In my previous cars, when turning on this mode, it would switch to recirculate cabin air and block out exterior air when there was a lot of exhaust smell (especially diesel) outside. In the x1, i could be sitting in a cloud of black exhaust smoke for 5 minutes without any noticeable changes to the smell of exhaust filling my cabin. Is my sensor malfunctioning or are my expectations of this system too high?

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by jihong

In the x1, i could be sitting in a cloud of black exhaust smoke for 5 minutes without any noticeable changes to the smell of exhaust filling my cabin.

5 minutes? I assume you endured that in order to conduct a scientific experiment? (unless you were driving on the turnpike next to EWR?)


as for the AC not doing much to open/close based on air quality... I had long ago given up. I just do it myself. The X1 doesn't seem to care either way.

[donnus]

Originally Posted by jihong

When I set my circulation mode to auto, it doesn’t seem to sense pollutants outside. In my previous cars, when turning on this mode, it would switch to recirculate cabin air and block out exterior air when there was a lot of exhaust smell (especially diesel) outside. In the x1, i could be sitting in a cloud of black exhaust smoke for 5 minutes without any noticeable changes to the smell of exhaust filling my cabin. Is my sensor malfunctioning or are my expectations of this system too high?

even on my X3 and my 328i I always wondered if it worked or not. I always smelled pollutants in auto setting

[tex2670]

Recirculate isn't about outside smells. It's about controlling the temperature. If it's 90* outside, and you are pulling outside air into the cabin, it's harder to cool than if you are recirculating air from inside the cabin.

But if there's moisture inside the cabin, and you are recirculating, it's harder to clear the moisture and you could end up with fogged windows.

Recirculating smelly air just keeps the smelly air inside the cabin

[Fknid]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Recirculate isn't about outside smells. It's about controlling the temperature. If it's 90* outside, and you are pulling outside air into the cabin, it's harder to cool than if you are recirculating air from inside the cabin.

But if there's moisture inside the cabin, and you are recirculating, it's harder to clear the moisture and you could end up with fogged windows.

Recirculating smelly air just keeps the smelly air inside the cabin

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by KosticKen

It's primary use is for when you go through long tunnels like the 11.6Km Tunnel du Mont-Blanc or other areas where the air is not so fresh. But you have to put it on BEFORE you enter the affected area. Turning it on after will just keep the already rotten air in the car. Other than that the best way to get rid of condensation with or without the recirculation is to put the A/C on and adjust the temp to suit. After a few minutes you will see the condensed moisture running out under the car.
The X1 has some sort of detector which senses the Micro-Particles in the incoming air and reacts accordingly (if on Automatic) but whether it works, like a lot of things on it, is a matter of conjecture.

For best result and air quality regardless of what's outside buy one of these: https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/produ...les/survivor-r also made in Germany.

Beats XDrive as well!

I use the BMW sat nav and it recognises whenever I approach a tunnel and tells me how long the tunnel is/how much of the tunnel is left before exiting. Given that it recognises all of this, I assume it would automatically turn on recirculation (given that you’ve selected auto mode)

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by KosticKen

Any documentation or other indication (i.e. proof) that is the case?

In the manual.

At least, based on what’s described and the principle behind it, it should automatically turn on recirculation when entering a tunnel since the pollutants are significantly higher than outside of the tunnel.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by FZI89

In the manual.

At least, based on what’s described and the principle behind it, it should automatically turn on recirculation when entering a tunnel since the pollutants are significantly higher than outside of the tunnel.

Yeah, but it doesn't say how long it will take for the smell to be dissipated by the recirculated air. It's definitely not instant; so, for example, if there's skunk smell, I would bet that keeping the fresh outside air on will remove the skunk odor sooner than continually recirculating it because you pass by the smelly area and bring back fresh air into the cabin (unless you actually hit the skunk w your car...then you are screwed).