Car Air Recirculation Button Not Working? 77 Most Correct Answers

Summer is just around the corner, which means scorching temperatures are on the way. While that’s a welcome fact for a day at the beach, it’s not as much fun when you have to hop in a muggy car for a long drive. However, there is one thing that can help cool down this rather uncomfortable summertime experience in a jiffy. And it all boils down to a single, often-overlooked button on your car’s dash: the air recirculation button.

Later, when you get into your car for a ride, be sure to check the dashboard to find the air recirculation button. It’s usually the little button with a car icon and a sideways U-shaped arrow inside it. Here’s a little more about what it does and how to use it effectively.

What is the air recirculation button?

Auto company Eden Tyers & Servicing said in a blog post, “The recirculation button effectively shuts outside air into the interior of the car to recirculate the air inside your vehicle.” This makes it easier to ensure you’re recirculating conditioned air instead of hot air from outside .

What does the air recirculation button do?

The post goes on to explain that the air recirculation button is great for “boosting your air conditioning to get your cabin as cold as possible as quickly as possible, stopping pollution and exhaust fumes” and even “reducing pollen when driving if you’re suffering from it.” hay fever” and “stop strong outside odors from entering your car”.

The button works by helping your car circulate the cool air from your air conditioner as soon as you turn it on. If you don’t use the button, your car has to draw in air from outside and work twice as hard to cool that air than the already-cooled air around you.

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When is the right time to use the air recirculation button?

Since the air recirculation button is great when using your car’s air conditioning, you’ll probably want to use it when driving in a heat wave. This will ensure that your air conditioner gets as cold as possible as quickly as possible.

“If you don’t turn on the recirculation switch, your air conditioner is constantly cooling warm air from outside your vehicle and has to work much harder, putting more strain on the blower and air compressor,” the blog post explains.

What are the advantages of a recirculation button?

If you’re reading this in 2022, or probably sometime in the near future, you’ll know that gas prices have skyrocketed. This is why setting a reminder to use your recirculation is an excellent idea, because the harder your air conditioning has to work, the more fuel your car uses. The Wall Street Journal reported: “Cars are typically more fuel efficient when the air conditioning is set to circulate the interior air. Of course, the journal also pointed out that “turning off the air conditioning saves even more fuel.”

Additionally, using the recirculation button means you’re putting less strain on your air conditioning, which means the system will last a little longer.

When not to use the air recirculation button?

While the recirculation button is great for the summer months, it might be best to avoid it in the winter. That’s because the button (by nature) traps moisture in your car, which can lead to fogged windows and a fogged windshield in the winter.

The Eden Tyers & Servicing blog post also warned: “Some drivers think it makes sense not to let in as much cold air when using heaters in the winter. In reality, though, it’s best to leave them off. The default fresh air mode forces outside air through your heater core so it’s nice and warm before it reaches you, and your windows will defog much faster and stay that way while you drive.

Movies and TV tend to exaggerate details or just create scenarios that would never happen in real life. This is one of them. You can’t suffocate in a car because the car isn’t airtight. Even with the windows open, your car can get damp, stuffy, or uncomfortable when you sleep. But the chances of choking are zero.

You can’t suffocate in the trunk of a car. It’s not airtight and has a lever to safely pull you out of the inside. The same goes for your trunk. While many movies show people choking from being in the trunk of a car for too long. It’s not airtight and has a lever to safely pull you out of the inside.

While you can’t choke in a car, you can definitely choke on your finances by overpaying for auto insurance. This is where Jerry can help

Jerry is a licensed insurance broker who gets quotes from over 50 top insurers in minutes. Once you’ve found a great deal, Jerry can help you get new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.

MORE: How to remove grease and oil from a car interior

Temperatures across the country have risen over the summer. That means people will blow up the air conditioning in the car, but there’s a button that people might not be able to use in these temperatures.

This button has an arrow that rotates inside the car. It’s called the convection button and it plays an important role in the heat.

According to World Class Auto Service, the button is primarily used for Daylight Saving Time. It helps your car get as cool as possible when you have the air conditioner on.

“It recirculates the kind of cool air you get from the air conditioner when you first turn it on,” the website says. “The longer it’s on, the cooler your car gets until it’s as cool as possible.”

When you’re not using it, the car is using the outside air, which is much warmer, and your air conditioning is working harder and continuously to cool the hot outside air.

In winter, the site recommends not using it because it traps moisture in the car, which can lead to the fogged windows you see in winter.

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When should you recirculate the air in your car’s cabin?

The recirculation button

Photo: The news wheel

Most cars are equipped with an air recirculation button that looks like the outline of a car with a curved arrow inside it. When pressed, this button does exactly what its name suggests; It circulates the air from your car’s air conditioning system. If you’ve ever wondered when exactly to press that button, check out the guide below.

Keep Your Air Conditioner In Good Condition: Signs It Needs Repair

When to press

According to World Class Auto Repair, the best time to circulate your car’s air is during hot summer temperatures. This will cool your cabin as much as possible as the same air continues to flow through the air conditioning and gradually gets colder. In addition, if you have seasonal allergies, it will prevent more pollen from entering the cabin and accordingly provide a more comfortable driving experience.

If you don’t press the recirculation button, your car will draw in hot air from outside. This means your air conditioner has to work harder to keep cooling the air. This will not only put additional strain on your air conditioning compressor, but will also reduce your fuel consumption.

When not to press

On paper, it sounds great to circulate your car’s air even in cold winter temperatures, as the same air continues to flow through the heater, warming up the interior faster. However, using the recirculation button in the winter can actually be dangerous. Keeping the hot air in your car also traps the moisture inside and this can lead to fogged windows that affect your vision on the road.

Preparing your car for summer: key maintenance items to take care of

If your car doesn’t come with an air recirculation button, you may have a newer model that automatically switches between using fresh air and recirculating air. However, if your car has one, only use it on hot days for safe and comfortable driving.

5 tips to help you warm up a car faster

How to Warm Up a Car Faster in Winter – Winter is every car’s worst enemy and of course of us drivers on the road today, especially us living in a cold climate here in Manitoba, Canada.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of ways to warm up a car faster and we’ll discuss a few of them.

#1: Warm up before riding

This method is definitely better for your vehicle as you give it enough time to produce heat. However, if you are always in a hurry, this method may not be ideal for you.

#2: Ride, ride, and ride some more

From a maintenance perspective, this tip is not practical at all. However, if you want to warm up the engine and cabin faster, you should not let it idle in the driveway.

Idle is not as efficient at warming up a car and will warm up faster once you start driving.

#3: Park in the sun

This tip is particularly helpful for cars with petrol or diesel engines. For those who need to leave the house before the sun comes up, or need covered parking without a heated space, don’t turn off the air conditioning at all. Instead, switch on the lights and the heated rear window of your car. Also, do not run the heater fan and set the temperature control to cold.

After that, start driving as soon as the oil pressure is normal. These steps would warm up your engine as quickly as possible and you could save fuel at the same time.

#4: Stop That Heat Loss

The obvious point here is to get your engine to heat up faster. You should first stop any form of heat loss. Why? Like an oven, if you leave the car door open, even if it can heat, you would also allow the heat to escape that it takes longer to heat up fully; Unless you turn up the temperature. Aside from that, you also need to make sure the fan is turned off to ensure it doesn’t blow on the heater core as that could potentially dissipate the heat.

#5: Park in the garage

Don’t worry about cars without a block heater either. An enclosed space keeps ice and wind out, which is a great way to maintain an ideal temperature. It is therefore better to park your car in a garage than leave it in the driveway.

Helpful Reminder:

A defective car heater is also one of the most common problems why there is a lack of heat in the car. Does the heater blow cold air? To fix such problems, do the following:

1. Check if there is enough antifreeze in the car

The heater uses the coolant circulating through the engine. It is therefore important that the coolant mixture contains antifreeze to prevent the coolant from freezing. Have your coolant checked annually.

2. Check the heater controls

Believe it or not, the problem with a “cold vehicle” isn’t always the heater, it’s the thermostat or cooling system.

3. Check if the thermostat works

The thermostat controls the coolant circulating through the engine. And when the engine starts, the thermostat is closed. In order for the engine to reach operating temperature, it provides heat for the heater after opening. However, if the thermostat is stuck, there is a serious risk that the coolant will not reach operating temperature.

Checking the thermostat is pretty easy; Run the engine and watch the car dials. Give it about 10 minutes to get an accurate reading. If the engine is getting hot but the temperature shows it is cold, this could be the reason your car is not heating properly.

4. Does the blower motor work?

Don’t forget to check the blower motor. 1. Can you hear the fan? No! Then there is a possibility that the motor is defective. Likewise, it could be an electrical problem. A bad power relay, blown fuse, or heater switch could be the problem.

This knowledge can be very useful for motorists – even those who do not intend to drive in cold weather or winter. If an engine doesn’t overheat in hot weather, you should turn the air conditioning on hot and roll down the windows.

Try these tips and let us know why one worked well for you!

Hello, this is Tamotsu Todoroki. I am a car consultant from PicknBuy24.com. I write an online column every week to take care of your vehicle. My column is all about useful and practical things for your vehicle. Please stop by to keep your car in good condition.

When to Use the Recirculation Button – Volume 384

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Notice that button on your car’s AC panel that looks like a circle, almost like a recycling sign? That would be the recirculation button. When activated, the car’s air conditioning system circulates the air inside the car for cooling instead of using the outside air supply.

When to use the recirculation button, most of the time the answer is when the AC is on, but not when the heater is on. Recirculating air, especially on hot days, cools the interior of the car faster and places less stress on the car’s blower motor and air compressor.

You should only turn air recirculation off if you notice the windows and windshield fogging up. This can happen on a cold day or when it suddenly starts raining on a hot day. In this case, you should just press the defrost button. Pressing the defrost button disables air recirculation (if enabled), turns off the air compressor (if the air conditioning is running), and blows the maximum amount of air onto the windshield. The condensation in the car can be removed so much faster.

More detailed explanation

Ideally, the air conditioning in the car should work like the air conditioning at home. The home air conditioner uses the air in the room, cools and dehumidifies the air, and pushes the cooled air back into the room. The air conditioner circulates the air in the room so the air gets cooler and cooler instead of using air from outside which would be much hotter. In fact, we also keep the windows closed to keep the hot air from mixing with the cooled air.

The concept of recirculation is the same for the car’s air conditioning system. The car’s AC compressor and blower motor are also expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of parts and labor. So it’s in our best interest not to make them work too hard, which would be the case when the blower motor is moving a lot of outside air and the A/C compressor needs to cool the much hotter outside air.

In addition, the air filter gets dirty faster if you constantly suck in a lot of air from outside. The blower motor would have to work even harder to suck in air when the air filter is dirty. You would have to change the air filter or the intake air volume will start to decrease.

Regardless of how effectively the air filter cleans the outside air, it is far from 100% efficient. So when the outside air quality is poor, which is usually the case with so much vehicle exhaust on the road, the air quality inside your car will suffer as well. So if you pulled up behind a garbage truck you would smell it unless you circulated the air inside.

Debunking the popular misconception

A common misconception is that leaving the air recirculation switch on for an extended period of time will deprive car occupants of oxygen in the car.

This is incorrect because the car is not a vacuum system. Outside air flows into the car through the windows and air conditioning, especially when the car is moving, even if you recirculate the air. That’s why you can smell a particularly foul-smelling garbage truck in front of the car even when the air recirculation switch is switched on, although the smell is of course much less than without air recirculation.

Many new cars don’t even have an air recirculation button because they are equipped with electronic controls to turn the air recirculation on or off automatically. Some cars also have an automatic air recirculation mode. For example, press the recirculation button once to turn on recirculation and press it again to make it automatic. If your car has an automatic recirculation mode, you can use it to take the guesswork out of when to recirculate and when not to.

Today all cars are equipped with air conditioning. And it’s hard to think of a trip without the comfort of air conditioning. Although we use the air conditioner regularly, most of us do not know whether we should choose the recirculation mode or the fresh air mode to get the best performance from the air conditioner.

In recirculation mode, the vehicle’s air conditioning system circulates the air inside the vehicle for cooling. Selecting fresh air mode brings outside air into the car by opening an air duct in the front of the vehicle. These two modes have their pros and cons.

When you start the vehicle after a long time or a few days, it is better to choose the fresh air mode as it helps to flush the unclean air out of the vehicle quickly. In addition, when parked in the sun, the mode helps expel the hot air in the car faster.

However, if you leave the mode on all the time, you’ll let all the dust from the road and atmosphere into your vehicle. It can get caught on the seat or on passengers’ clothing. Besides, the air conditioner will also need more maintenance. Also, since the air conditioner has to work much harder to cool the outside air, it could affect the vehicle’s mileage.

The recirculation mode is comparatively better. But if you use it for a long time, the air inside will become impure. So you can occasionally switch to fresh air mode on long journeys to let in fresh air.

Since the air in the car is cooled in recirculation mode, the air conditioning system has to work less. Just remember to switch to fresh air mode occasionally. But if you choose fresh air mode, check if you’re moving through a location that’s relatively less polluted.

Home How to get the best tips on using AC effectively in your car by Kennedy Paul

During the summer season or on a hot day, the air conditioning (AC) in your car may not be enough to give you relief. Automakers offer the best technology like automatic air conditioning or climate control, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Here are some of the top tips for using air conditioning effectively.

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Cabin filters were first introduced in European vehicles in the 1980s. Since then, they’ve been standard equipment on all cars and trucks sold in the United States. In big cities in particular, the air contains many harmful pollutants, and cabin air filters keep them out so you can breathe easy. While the concept is simple, it’s also quite novel. How did we ever live without the venerable cabin filter?

Understanding how a cabin air filter works and how filtered air is directed into the cabin will help you appreciate this remarkable invention.

cabin filter design

The construction of the cabin filter is fairly simple. Most have a pleated paper filter element mounted on a plastic frame. Pollutants are trapped in the element and cannot get into the vehicle interior.

There are two basic types of cabin filters: particle and activated carbon filters. Particle filters catch dust and dirt. Activated carbon filters do the same, while also absorbing fumes and odors.

Not all cabin air filters are created equal. Some have a larger filter capacity and are designed to last longer than others.

How filtered air is directed into the cabin

The cabin filter is placed in the air intake of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. Outside air is sucked into the system by the blower motor. Outside air passes through the cabin filter before it reaches HVAC components or the cabin. Impurities such as dust, dirt and pollen are trapped in the filter. Some filters can also trap fumes and odors. This not only provides the vehicle occupants with fresh air to breathe, but also keeps HVAC components clean. This helps the parts perform better and last longer.

After the filtered air has passed the HVAC evaporator or heater core, it enters the cabin through the vents. Most of the time, air from outside the vehicle flows through the cabin filter. However, when the HVAC controls are set to recirculation mode, interior air is forced through the filter before re-entering the cabin. This allows the filter to remove harmful contaminants that are already in the vehicle. Typically, this only applies to cabin air filters located in the HVAC case. The filters mounted in the engine compartment under the hood of the vehicle only filter the outside air.

Replacing the cabin air filter

It is important to replace the cabin air filter regularly. If left unattended, the filter will become clogged with contaminants preventing it from doing its job. This can result in a smelly, unhealthy cabin. It can also lead to poor performance of the HVAC system.

Normally, the activated carbon filter should be replaced once a year or every 24,000 km.

Particulate filters are typically replaced every 30,000 miles. Both types of filters should be changed more frequently on vehicles driven in dirty, dusty or polluted areas.

Replacing your cabin filter with one from Premium Guard is always a wise choice. Premium Guard cabin filters are available in both particulate and activated carbon versions. They capture up to 99% of air pollutants to keep your vehicle’s interior fresh.

Sources:

http://www.treffequality.com/download/history-cabin-filters.pdf

Hello, this is Tamotsu Todoroki. I am a car consultant from PicknBuy24.com. I write an online column every week to take care of your vehicle. My column is all about useful and practical things for your vehicle. Please stop by to keep your car in good condition.

When to Use the Recirculation Button – Volume 384

10,064 views

tweet

Notice that button on your car’s AC panel that looks like a circle, almost like a recycling sign? That would be the recirculation button. When activated, the car’s air conditioning system circulates the air inside the car for cooling instead of using the outside air supply.

When to use the recirculation button, most of the time the answer is when the AC is on, but not when the heater is on. Recirculating air, especially on hot days, cools the interior of the car faster and places less stress on the car’s blower motor and air compressor.

You should only turn air recirculation off if you notice the windows and windshield fogging up. This can happen on a cold day or when it suddenly starts raining on a hot day. In this case, you should just press the defrost button. Pressing the defrost button disables air recirculation (if enabled), turns off the air compressor (if the air conditioning is running), and blows the maximum amount of air onto the windshield. The condensation in the car can be removed so much faster.

More detailed explanation

Ideally, the air conditioning in the car should work like the air conditioning at home. The home air conditioner uses the air in the room, cools and dehumidifies the air, and pushes the cooled air back into the room. The air conditioner circulates the air in the room so the air gets cooler and cooler instead of using air from outside which would be much hotter. In fact, we also keep the windows closed to keep the hot air from mixing with the cooled air.

The concept of recirculation is the same for the car’s air conditioning system. The car’s AC compressor and blower motor are also expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of parts and labor. So it’s in our best interest not to make them work too hard, which would be the case when the blower motor is moving a lot of outside air and the A/C compressor needs to cool the much hotter outside air.

In addition, the air filter gets dirty faster if you constantly suck in a lot of air from outside. The blower motor would have to work even harder to suck in air when the air filter is dirty. You would have to change the air filter or the intake air volume will start to decrease.

Regardless of how effectively the air filter cleans the outside air, it is far from 100% efficient. So when the outside air quality is poor, which is usually the case with so much vehicle exhaust on the road, the air quality inside your car will suffer as well. So if you pulled up behind a garbage truck you would smell it unless you circulated the air inside.

Debunking the popular misconception

A common misconception is that leaving the air recirculation switch on for an extended period of time will deprive car occupants of oxygen in the car.

This is incorrect because the car is not a vacuum system. Outside air flows into the car through the windows and air conditioning, especially when the car is moving, even if you recirculate the air. That’s why you can smell a particularly foul-smelling garbage truck in front of the car even when the air recirculation switch is switched on, although the smell is of course much less than without air recirculation.

Many new cars don’t even have an air recirculation button because they are equipped with electronic controls to turn the air recirculation on or off automatically. Some cars also have an automatic air recirculation mode. For example, press the recirculation button once to turn on recirculation and press it again to make it automatic. If your car has an automatic recirculation mode, you can use it to take the guesswork out of when to recirculate and when not to.