Does Using Recirculated Air or Fresh Air Mode Save More Fuel?
2 Answers
Using recirculated air mode is slightly more fuel-efficient than fresh air mode, but the difference in actual usage is minimal. The fuel consumption in fresh air mode is approximately 0.1 liters higher per 100 kilometers compared to recirculated air mode, which is negligible. Here are the relevant details: 1. Fresh Air Mode: Fresh air mode draws air from outside the vehicle, directs it to the air conditioning system for heating or cooling, and then blows it out through the vents. This mode replenishes fresh air and improves the air quality inside the vehicle. However, if the outside weather is extremely dry and hot, the air conditioning compressor has to work continuously to cool the hot air from outside, which consumes a certain amount of fuel. 2. Recirculated Air Mode: Recirculated air mode circulates the air inside the vehicle. The air conditioning system draws in the cabin air, cools it, and then recirculates it back into the cabin. Once the cabin temperature drops to the set value, the air conditioning compressor disengages, reducing the engine load. Therefore, the faster the cabin temperature reaches the set value, the sooner the engine load is reduced, leading to lower fuel consumption.
I think using the recirculation mode is more fuel-efficient, especially when running the AC in summer. My driving habit is to turn on recirculation first, so the cool air inside the car can be recycled without constantly cooling the hot outside air. This way, the AC compressor doesn't have to work as hard, reducing the engine load and naturally saving some fuel. However, keeping the windows closed and recirculation on for too long can make the air inside stuffier, increasing CO2 concentration and making you drowsy. So I usually switch to fresh air mode for 3 minutes after 20 minutes of recirculation to balance fuel efficiency and air quality. In city traffic jams, I also insist on using recirculation to avoid inhaling exhaust fumes.
