Can You Keep the External Air Circulation On While Driving on the Highway?
2 Answers
It is not advisable to keep the external air circulation on while driving on the highway. When the external air circulation is on, outside air enters the vehicle, keeping the interior fresh and ensuring smooth breathing for passengers. However, because outside air flows into the car, the air conditioning compressor needs to work continuously to maintain the temperature, which consumes more fuel. When driving on the highway under smooth traffic and good road conditions, you can keep the internal air circulation on for an extended period to maintain the temperature. However, it is essential to switch to external air circulation for 5 to 10 minutes within every hour to allow fresh air to enter and increase the oxygen level inside the car. Learning to use internal and external air circulation flexibly is key. For example, in situations like tunnels where air quality is poor, you can switch to internal air circulation to effectively prevent dirty outside air from entering the car. Using either internal or external air circulation for an extended period is incorrect. The right approach is to alternate between them flexibly based on actual conditions.
I always use the external air circulation on the highway, mainly for the fresh air. With fewer cars and less pollution on the highway, the external circulation brings fresh air into the car, which is much more comfortable than the internal circulation. However, it's not suitable for all situations. For example, during smoggy days or when passing through tunnels, I immediately switch to internal circulation. On long drives, it's important to pay attention to switching between internal and external circulation. Otherwise, in winter, the windows can easily fog up, affecting visibility, and in summer, the air conditioning cooling effect can be compromised. It's best to switch modes periodically to ensure air circulation without wasting energy.