The recirculation button is located on the dashboard in cars with air conditioning. This allows you to manually recirculate the air in the car, but how do you use it properly?
The air recirculation button varies in detail depending on the manufacturer and model, but the symbol on the button looks like the photo above, or consists of a small circle formed by three arrows. If you can’t find the button, you probably have an automatic air recirculation control.
The button ensures that the supply of fresh air in the car is interrupted and the existing air starts to circulate. Pressing the button prevents unpleasant odors from entering the car in long tunnels, traffic jams or other situations. Make sure you press the button in time, because if you already smell the stench, the car will recirculate the dirty air.
Automatically
In a number of cases, the recirculation can also be set to ‘automatic’. Sensors in the car then measure the concentration of pollutants in the outside air and ensure that the car switches to recirculating the indoor air if necessary. This is also sometimes the case with the aforementioned, often new cars without such a button.
You can also lower the indoor temperature more quickly in the summer with the recirculation mode. To cool the car optimally, first open the windows in a hot car after getting in to let the hot air escape. Then you close the windows and turn on the air conditioning. Shortly afterwards, press the air circulation button. Because warm air from outside does not have to be constantly cooled, the temperature drops faster.
Carbon dioxide
It is important to turn off the air recirculation button after the car has cooled sufficiently, or when the bad outside air has disappeared. Because there is no fresh air supply, the amount of carbon dioxide in the car increases. This can lead to fatigue, poor concentration or reduced reaction speed.
On very cold days in winter or when it suddenly starts to rain, the air recirculation button should not be used to warm up the car more quickly. This is not done by recirculating the air. However, the moisture is trapped in the car and the windows fog up.
This story previously appeared on this site on April 26, 2021.
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