Here are the best times to use your car’s recirculation feature – and why using it incorrectly can be potentially DANGEROUS
- Replies 4
Almost every vehicle comes with an inconspicuous button situated alongside the car’s aircon controls – the air recirculation feature. Some car owners may already know that this button exists but most of us are unsure when the perfect times are to use it and what it actually does.
Fortunately, an Australian parenting group detailed when you should and shouldn’t use the handy feature, including why using it during winter could be potentially dangerous.
Mum Central unveiled the tip on their Facebook page, capturing the attention of hundreds who deemed the hack as informative.
When used correctly, the air recirculation button cuts off the outside air to the air inside of the car. To put it into perspective, it ‘recycles’ the air inside of your car instead of pulling air from the outside.
It’s best to use during extreme temperatures, particularly during scorching hot weather, as it helps the car cool quicker and maintains the low temperature for longer if you keep it on.
The air recirculation button. Image Credit: thenewswheel
However, using the recirculation button during winter can be counterproductive and dangerous as it traps the hot air inside the car and increases humidity. This results in foggy windows that reduce visibility on the road. In addition, driving when the car is too warm can lead to drowsiness and falling asleep at the wheel.
It's even more important on long road trips as fresh air is crucial for staying alert.
“Most vehicles have a recirculation button with the AC controls in their cars. But many of us are unsure when to use it,” Mum Central wrote.
“Well, the easy answer is to use it in the summer and turn it off in the winter,”
“The recirculation button simply takes the air from inside the car and recirculates it in the cabin instead of pulling fresh air from outside. On hot days, if you do not recirculate the cooler air in the cabin, then your AC system is pulling hot air from outside and trying to cool it,”
“Using the recirculation feature will get your car cooler and will decrease the wear and tear on your AC system,”
They went on to explain that if your car has been 'baking in the sun', it's better to roll the windows down for a few minutes to effectively get rid of the super hot air inside the car before turning the recirculation button on.
The post which was originally taken from Tyrrell Auto Centers in Wyoming continued: “Any time you are stuck in traffic (summer or winter) be sure to use the recirculate,”
“If you are pulling air from outside, then you are pulling in all the pollutants and carbon monoxide from all the traffic. Studies show that recirculating your AC can cut down on the pollutants entering your vehicle by 20 per cent when stuck in traffic.”
Mum Central’s post took Facebook by storm in the span of a few days, garnering more than 4.4k likes and 1.3k comments.
“So THIS is the correct way to use this button. I’ve been using it incorrectly my whole life!” one user wrote.
“Wow, such a great tip. Thanks!” said another.
It can lead to foggy car windows. Image Credit: MotorBeam
“I was just asking myself this question just this morning on my way to work… I was trying to get rid of fogged-up windows on the inside of my car. Thanks for that!” a third added.
“I use it all the time. It stops smoke from getting in the car, stops the fumes from older cars that I'm behind in traffic, stops dust, etc.” commented a fourth.
But others lightheartedly poked fun at the tip.
“Brilliant! If you fart as you drive, then they just get recycled forever.” one teased.
“Best activated when following a sheep truck.” wrote another.
“Wait, isn’t this the rewind button in case you have an accident?!” shared a third, referring to the button’s U-turn arrow design.
What are your thoughts on Mum Central’s tip? Share them with us in the comments!
Learn more about the air recirculation button by watching the video below:
Video Credit: Scripps National News
Fortunately, an Australian parenting group detailed when you should and shouldn’t use the handy feature, including why using it during winter could be potentially dangerous.
Mum Central unveiled the tip on their Facebook page, capturing the attention of hundreds who deemed the hack as informative.
When used correctly, the air recirculation button cuts off the outside air to the air inside of the car. To put it into perspective, it ‘recycles’ the air inside of your car instead of pulling air from the outside.
It’s best to use during extreme temperatures, particularly during scorching hot weather, as it helps the car cool quicker and maintains the low temperature for longer if you keep it on.
The air recirculation button. Image Credit: thenewswheel
However, using the recirculation button during winter can be counterproductive and dangerous as it traps the hot air inside the car and increases humidity. This results in foggy windows that reduce visibility on the road. In addition, driving when the car is too warm can lead to drowsiness and falling asleep at the wheel.
It's even more important on long road trips as fresh air is crucial for staying alert.
“Most vehicles have a recirculation button with the AC controls in their cars. But many of us are unsure when to use it,” Mum Central wrote.
“Well, the easy answer is to use it in the summer and turn it off in the winter,”
“The recirculation button simply takes the air from inside the car and recirculates it in the cabin instead of pulling fresh air from outside. On hot days, if you do not recirculate the cooler air in the cabin, then your AC system is pulling hot air from outside and trying to cool it,”
“Using the recirculation feature will get your car cooler and will decrease the wear and tear on your AC system,”
They went on to explain that if your car has been 'baking in the sun', it's better to roll the windows down for a few minutes to effectively get rid of the super hot air inside the car before turning the recirculation button on.
The post which was originally taken from Tyrrell Auto Centers in Wyoming continued: “Any time you are stuck in traffic (summer or winter) be sure to use the recirculate,”
“If you are pulling air from outside, then you are pulling in all the pollutants and carbon monoxide from all the traffic. Studies show that recirculating your AC can cut down on the pollutants entering your vehicle by 20 per cent when stuck in traffic.”
Mum Central’s post took Facebook by storm in the span of a few days, garnering more than 4.4k likes and 1.3k comments.
“So THIS is the correct way to use this button. I’ve been using it incorrectly my whole life!” one user wrote.
“Wow, such a great tip. Thanks!” said another.
It can lead to foggy car windows. Image Credit: MotorBeam
“I was just asking myself this question just this morning on my way to work… I was trying to get rid of fogged-up windows on the inside of my car. Thanks for that!” a third added.
“I use it all the time. It stops smoke from getting in the car, stops the fumes from older cars that I'm behind in traffic, stops dust, etc.” commented a fourth.
But others lightheartedly poked fun at the tip.
“Brilliant! If you fart as you drive, then they just get recycled forever.” one teased.
“Best activated when following a sheep truck.” wrote another.
“Wait, isn’t this the rewind button in case you have an accident?!” shared a third, referring to the button’s U-turn arrow design.
What are your thoughts on Mum Central’s tip? Share them with us in the comments!
Learn more about the air recirculation button by watching the video below:
Video Credit: Scripps National News
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