Circulating vs fresh air.

[WaxLyrical]

In all vehicles there's a lever/button that let's you choose between recirculating air and fresh air.

How does this work and when should you use this?

 

[Sinbad]

Recirculating to keep outside smells/fumes out. Otherwise, no reason to have it on that setting.

 

[UrBaN963]

I find my Aircon is much more effective on recirculation mode.

I usually put it on that, blast the AC to get it to temp, then switch to open.

 

[UrBaN963]

I find my Aircon is much more effective on recirculation mode.

I usually put it on that, blast the AC to get it to temp, then switch to open.


Recirc is also useful on a dusty road. Switch it to that, put the fan on to create a positive pressure inside the vehicle and it stops dust from coming in.

 

[isie]

In all vehicles there's a lever/button that let's you choose between recirculating air and fresh air.

How does this work and when should you use this?

Recirculating to keep outside smells/fumes out. Otherwise, no reason to have it on that setting.

I find my Aircon is much more effective on recirculation mode.

I usually put it on that, blast the AC to get it to temp, then switch to open.

Im 99% sure my car's manual said when using the aircon you should have Recirculation mode on

 

[Sinbad]

I find my Aircon is much more effective on recirculation mode.

I usually put it on that, blast the AC to get it to temp, then switch to open.

You should actually do it the other way round if you want max aircon effect If the air inside the car is hotter than the outside air (ie, parked in the sun) you will cool down quicker with fresh air. Once the air temp is the car is lower than outside, recirc will give you better cooling.

 

[Sinbad]

Im 99% sure my car's manual said when using the aircon you should have Recirculation mode on

You're 99% chance wrong

If anything, the other way round. If you keep recirculation on in cold weather without the aircon, you'll fog up the windows.

 

[UrBaN963]

You should actually do it the other way round if you want max aircon effect If the air inside the car is hotter than the outside air (ie, parked in the sun) you will cool down quicker with fresh air. Once the air temp is the car is lower than outside, recirc will give you better cooling.

That makes sense. I didn't give the full spiel. I will get in the car and drive with windows open until the hot air is dispelled, then close them, recirc, AC, glory.

 

[supersunbird]

I find my Aircon is much more effective on recirculation mode.

I usually put it on that, blast the AC to get it to temp, then switch to open.


Recirc is also useful on a dusty road. Switch it to that, put the fan on to create a positive pressure inside the vehicle and it stops dust from coming in.

A open one creates a much stronger positive pressure inside the vehicle.

 

[Sinbad]

Recirc is also useful on a dusty road. Switch it to that, put the fan on to create a positive pressure inside the vehicle and it stops dust from coming in.

no dude no. The fan circulating air doesn't create any positive pressure at all.


What you want in Bioweapons Defense Mode!

 

[UrBaN963]

A open one creates a much stronger positive pressure inside the vehicle.

Also allows the dust right in as it's taking outside air...

 

[Nerfherder]

You're 99% chance wrong

If anything, the other way round. If you keep recirculation on in cold weather without the aircon, you'll fog up the windows.

No, the aircon dries out the air so you put it on in wet weather to avoid fogging up the windows.
You have to use the re-circulation option otherwise moist air will keep coming in.

 

[Sinbad]

No, the aircon dries out the air so you put it on in wet weather to avoid fogging up the windows.
You have to use the re-circulation option otherwise moist air will keep coming in.

No you don't. The aircon dries out the incoming moist air perfectly well.

 

[genetic]

That makes sense. I didn't give the full spiel. I will get in the car and drive with windows open until the hot air is dispelled, then close them, recirc, AC, glory.

Positive pressure? No.

The inside your car isn't compressed.

 

[UrBaN963]

Hmmm perhaps I are wrong. Either way, it works for me so I shall continue

 

[isie]

You're 99% chance wrong

If anything, the other way round. If you keep recirculation on in cold weather without the aircon, you'll fog up the windows.

Ok i'm not 99% wrong , i just 1/2 read

It cools the car down faster but should not be used for extended period, as it circulate the same air

The air recirculation mode helps prevent outside air from entering the vehicle interior.
In very hot outside temperatures, temporarily switch to manual air recirculation in order to cool the
vehicle interior faster.

Stale air causes driver fatigue and reduces driver alertness, which can cause accidents,
collisions and serious personal injury.
x Never use air recirculation mode over an extended period of time, since no fresh air will
enter the passenger compartment.
x When the air conditioner is off and recirculation mode is on, condensation can quickly
form on the windows and greatly reduce visibility.
x Always switch off recirculation mode when it is not needed

 

[Ockie]

Not sure about other cars, but when I put it on auto climate control, the recirculating function switches on automatically. I always have the climate control on auto, so recirculating is always on too. I prefer it anyway, as with the trucks blasting black smoke on our roads and dust with all the construction going on by the side of the roads (with fibre and Egoli gas) it keeps all the crap out of the car.

 

[Craig_]

In all vehicles there's a lever/button that let's you choose between recirculating air and fresh air.

How does this work and when should you use this?

I used to use recirculating only when it's very hot outside and the aircon has been on for a few minutes. Keep the cool air inside. Otherwise always on fresh air(except for when driving behind an abused vehicle spewing smoke). With my current car I set the circulation to auto(drove for almost 2 years before I noticed this feature). Works well.

 

[RedViking]

Question

If I leave circulation of (so on "fresh air") I get this musty smell coming out of the vents and it doesn't go away, whether the AC is on or off.
If I switch it to Circulation the smell goes away.
If I have it on AC and Circulation the smell is there for a couple of seconds and then it goes away.

Any idea what may cause it? I did do a serve on the AC (replacing gas) a few weeks ago and the musty smell is still there when circulation is switched off.

 

[Craig_]

If I leave circulation of (so on "fresh air") I get this musty smell coming out of the vents and it doesn't go away, whether the AC is on or off.
If I switch it to Circulation the smell goes away.
If I have it on AC and Circulation the smell is there for a couple of seconds and then it goes away.

Any idea what may cause it? I did do a full serve on the AC a few weeks ago and the musty smell is still there when circulation is switched off.

I'm sure I saw with my last service they changed some or other cabin air filter. When last was yours changed? That might be why.