Can the car AC and internal circulation be turned on together?

[Billy]

Car AC and internal circulation should not be turned on together. Here is relevant information: External circulation: External circulation refers to drawing air from outside the vehicle, directing it to the air conditioning system for heating or cooling, and then blowing it out through the vents. External circulation can supplement fresh air and improve the air quality inside the vehicle. However, if the weather outside is extremely dry and hot, turning on external circulation will require the air conditioning compressor to work continuously to cool the hot air from outside, which will consume a certain amount of fuel. Internal circulation: Internal circulation refers to the circulation of air inside the vehicle. The air conditioning system draws in the air inside the car, cools it, and then recirculates it back into the cabin. When the interior temperature drops to the set value, the air conditioning compressor will stop working, reducing the engine load. Therefore, the faster the interior temperature drops to the set value, the sooner the engine load is reduced, leading to a decrease in fuel consumption.

[StReese]

During hot summer days, I often use both the AC and recirculation functions in my car to quickly lower the interior temperature. The operation is simple: start the vehicle, then press the AC button and the recirculation button. This way, the air conditioning cools the inside air without drawing in the external heat. It can also save some fuel since the AC doesn't have to process the high outside temperatures. However, keeping the recirculation on for too long can make the air stale and may cause dizziness, so I switch to fresh air mode after about 15 minutes. This combination is particularly effective in city traffic or when air quality is poor. Remember, at high speeds when air circulation is good, you can use recirculation less. Regular maintenance of the AC system is also crucial to prevent blockages that could affect efficiency. Overall, it's a safe and comfortable way to drive.

[Katelyn]

Using the car's AC and recirculation mode together is perfectly fine. From my personal experience, this combination is highly efficient for cooling. The AC is responsible for cooling the air, while the recirculation mode ensures the air circulates only inside the car, preventing outside pollutants or hot air from entering. This is especially useful in traffic jams or dusty weather, as it protects the air quality inside the car. However, it's important to note that keeping the recirculation mode on for too long can lead to CO2 buildup, which may affect respiratory health. I recommend briefly switching to fresh air mode every 20 minutes to let in fresh air. When operating, check the fan speed settings to ensure the air vents are working properly. This setup has little impact on fuel consumption and can even save energy. Regularly cleaning the AC filter can maintain good performance.

[SanCourtney]

In my daily driving, I often turn on both the AC and recirculation mode, especially on extremely hot or heavily polluted days. This allows the air conditioning to work quickly and cool the cabin faster; the recirculation mode blocks out external dirty air, avoiding exhaust fumes. After half an hour, I switch to fresh air mode to ventilate the cabin and prevent the air from becoming stale. This combination also benefits fuel economy by reducing the load on the AC. However, when driving on highways, I turn off recirculation to allow more fresh air to circulate. Remember not to keep recirculation on all the time, as it may cause window fogging or reduced comfort. During maintenance, ensure the AC system is functioning properly.