On a hot summer day, you get in your car, turn on the air conditioning, and an icy paradise awaits you... or maybe not. Your air conditioning may not be working as efficiently as it could! One of the most common reasons? Incorrect use of the air recirculation button. Most drivers don't even know when to turn it on and off, resulting in poor cooling, higher fuel consumption, and even more pollution in the cabin.
Have you ever been surprised that air conditioning simply can't cool the car down fast enough? Or are you stuck in traffic and you feel like an unpleasant smell from outside is entering the cabin? These small inconveniences have a common culprit – incorrect operation of the air recirculation buttonRead on to discover when you should use it and when you should leave it off.
Summer heat? Turn on the recirculation!
Air recirculation works by circulating air inside the car, rather than drawing in fresh air from the outside. This is crucial in the summer months when it's hot outside, as the air conditioning uses less energy to cool the already-cooled air inside the car than to constantly cool new hot air from outside. This cools your car down faster and puts less strain on the air conditioning system.
However, there is an important trick: If your car is parked in the sun and the interior is overheated, first open the windows for a few minutes and turn off the recirculation. This will allow the hottest air to escape before you turn the air conditioning on full blast.
Winter? Better to turn it off.
In the cold months, however, it's a different story. Prolonged use of recirculation can cause moisture to build up and fog up the windows. So, in cold weather, you should mostly turn it off and let fresh air circulate through the cabin.
Use recirculation in traffic jams
Regardless of the season, there is a situation when you should always Use recirculation: when you're stuck in traffic or driving in a heavily polluted environment. If the air conditioner draws air from outside, it can bring exhaust fumes and other pollutants into the car. Research shows that using recirculation can reduce the amount of inhaled particulate matter by 20%, which is crucial for your health.
How to recognize if recirculation is on?
You'll usually find a button on your dashboard with a car icon and an arrow inside. When it's lit, it means recirculation is on. Most vehicles also allow you to switch automatically based on outside conditions.
Key tips:
- In summer, turn on recirculation for faster cooling.
- Use it sparingly in winter to prevent windows from fogging up.
- Always activate it in traffic jams to reduce the inhalation of exhaust fumes.
- When the car interior is overheated, open the windows first before turning on recirculation.
By following these simple rules, you will make your ride more comfortable, efficient and healthy!
