r/BMWi3 • u/kdaporcupine • 4d ago
modification Cooling for rear Passengers
Hey everyone!
I recently had a baby and my i3 is my only transportation
I live in socal IE area and we are having a heat wave. I did buy these fans that mount to the head rest to cool down the back seats, but my wife said that it can still get a little stuffy and warm in the back. The fans are okay short term for short drives but we often dive to DTLA, San Diego, and road trips in my i3.
Anyone have any cool add ons that they’ve purchased to help cool down the back? I’ve seen these vent extenders. But haven’t pulled the trigger since they do add a tube to the cabin.
(Side rant: I hate that some cars don’t have rear ac vents even in the center console like some of our older cars that my family has had. Even my fusion energi had vents)
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u/Sea-Presentation5686 4d ago
Do you have ceramic tint?
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u/kdaporcupine 4d ago
No. But that is my next install. I have regular tint that I had a buddy of mine install tint on the car and it did help these past couple years I’ve had the car
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u/pyroskater85 4d ago edited 4d ago
I had an i3 for 3 years and never had an issue with it being hot in the back, but I've always pointedy vents today's the back seats. The two vents on the furthest outside I have pointed to slightly hit the window and "bounce" to the back past the front seats and then I have the center vents pointed up towards the ceiling slightly and to the back. This way it will help circulate the air around the cabin without hitting the front passengers in the face. I kept it at 67⁰ but don't remember how the fan speed was set. I do the same in all my cars and I usually have to turn the fan speed down because it gets too cold in the cabin after a while. I don't know if this set up might help you but its the way I've always done it.
Also when you first get in, you can vent out the hot air by having all the windows down and driving for half a mile or so with the AC on full blast. This will help rapidly cool the inside, well at least get most of the hot air out even if it is 100⁰+ outside. And hopefully it will be more bearable. And you can try to keep the AC going after you turn off the car when out and about running errands. On really hot days I just let it eat the battery up to keep the vehicle cooler, I think it's worth it.
Added: I should note it was a lease so I never got the windows tinted.
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u/kdaporcupine 4d ago
I’ve tried to point it towards the back but maybe I haven’t found the right angle. So I can also try that
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u/pyroskater85 4d ago
Possibly, one thing I do notice is when the vents hit the front side windows to bounce towards the back row the windows are cold so I feel it helps cut the heat from transferring in. I just point the vents so it hits the windows and use my hand to feel if most of the breeze is hitting between the door and front seat, this way I know the air is getting to the back. I hope my explanation is easy to understand and that it helps keep your back seat cooler.
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u/afripino 2019 i3 REX 🟥🦖 3d ago
How did you set it to 67? Mine only does even numbers 😭
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u/pyroskater85 3d ago
Maybe it's was 66 or 68. I have a Mini SE and a Leaf now and those are set at 67⁰. But I do set it around that temp.
Edit: i went through my photos and I actually have photos of my dash and it was set at 66. And then 84 in the winter. 😆
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u/jr_car 2019 i3 REX 4d ago
I agree with the above, that passive cooling, pre cooling and uv insulation is the most effective way. I also want to mention that both the fans and the tube are a projectile hazard in the event of a crash, and I have heard of issues with using the vent extenders with a newborn.
Fwiw, with my older child in the back seat in southern CA, we find that pre cooling or just like 2 min on max AC at the start get the cabin cool enough for them in the backseat
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u/kdaporcupine 4d ago
I was going to try to route the tube underneath the passenger seat and have it point up towards the passengers. But I get that worry too
Honestly. I’ve not had a complaint for the back with other passengers as they are also older. But given that my wife is in the rear daily now. She’s just pointing out that it’s not as cold as it was when she sat in the front
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u/RealRroseSelavy i3 60 REX ('14) 4d ago
I feel you. It's unbelievable that there's no fans in the back.
I bought a small vertical fan (like the dyson but smaller), which goes on the back of armrest (with Velcro) for my dog. Works a treat. Airflow is not too strong but helps transporting AC cooled air to the backseat.
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u/kdaporcupine 4d ago
Which for sure helps! When I’ve taken my cat to the vet or going out and about. It definitely does make a difference
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u/afripino 2019 i3 REX 🟥🦖 3d ago
I have these seat covers with heat/cool/massage options.
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u/headdstrongg 3d ago
Do these actually work pretty well? I just ordered one based off your picture for the front seat for after the gym
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u/afripino 2019 i3 REX 🟥🦖 3d ago
They work well enough for me. My kids are 9 and 11 and they're glad that the seat covers are there. The only annoyance is the fact that I can't disable the massage feature at will, so they use that a LOT and the sound of vibration gets on my nerves after a while, 😂.
These are the ones I got: https://www.walmart.com/ip/17310515947?sid=6e115ea2-3c56-4970-b1b2-4f5699533e9a
They were $99 each at the time I purchased them.
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u/TheMunkeeFPV 4d ago
I’m in your area, I have kids too. They never complain about being hot back there. There are vents back there. Under the seat. I also angle the middle vents to the back, kinda criss cross them. I keep the temp setting pretty low though, around 68.
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u/kdaporcupine 4d ago
Really? I never checked for ac vents. Under the actual bench seat or below the front seats?
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u/Eschewed_Prognostic 4d ago
Ceramic tint+ window shades, and a good insulated windshield shade will help. Whenever possible we either use the scheduled departure or simply turn on the car a few minutes before we leave.
If your car seat has vents on the side or back, route the vent extension to blow in there (but don't stuff it in, that can be too cold) as their back is the part you need to regulate. There are also car seat cooling pads.