Why You Should Use the Air Recirculation Button in Your Car

There’s one button on your vehicle’s dashboard that you have seen, but might not be using properly. The recirculation button typically has an icon of a car with a sideways U-shaped arrow inside of it, but what does that even mean, and what is it good for? Well, it turns out that button can be a lifesaver on a hot day.

We’ve all left the doors open to air out a hot car before getting in because we know the air conditioning will take time to get the car back to a bearable temperature. However, if you know how to use the recirculation button on your car, it can help you cool things down even faster. Here’s what you need to know about this nifty button before your next summer road trip.

What does the air recirculation button in cars do?

The air recirculation button prevents outside air from getting into your car. Without pushing this button, your car has to work harder to cool the air it pulls in from outside, and that puts stress on the vehicle’s blower motor and air compressor.

It’s a great hack to keep you comfortable on a road trip. The air recirculation function helps boost the efficacy of your AC and not only allows the cabin to cool down faster, but also can be used to block pollutants like exhaust fumes and pollen, as well as unwelcome odors. For example, if you ever smell a skunk while driving, that would be a great time to use it.

What are the best and worst times to use this feature?

The air recirculation button helps keep your car’s cabin cool in hot weather. Push it as soon as you turn on the AC on a warm day, but avoid using it in cold weather. When it’s turned on, moisture will get trapped in the car, which causes foggy windows when the outside temperature is colder than the inside. In summary, the best time to use the air recirculation button is when you are trying to keep the car cool, and the worst time is when you are trying to warm the car up.

How does using the air circulation button on your car save gas?

This little button not only helps prevent your vehicle from working too hard in the heat, but can also save you money. The harder your AC has to work to cool down the hot air, the more fuel your car will consume. Recirculating the air inside the cabin uses less energy than constantly cooling down the air from outside. The reduced stress on your cooling system will also help extend the life of your car and its AC. Of course, not running the AC at all is even better, so consider driving with the windows rolled down when you can.