Is the Light On for External or Internal Air Circulation?
2 Answers
When the light is on, it indicates internal air circulation; when the light is off, it indicates external air circulation. The vehicle's air conditioning system is divided into internal and external circulation modes. The internal circulation function allows air to circulate within the vehicle, cutting off the inflow of outside air. The external circulation function uses the blower to draw in outside air and blow it into the vehicle, keeping the interior air fresh. A good practice for using the car's air conditioning is to alternate between internal and external circulation. Use internal circulation more often in traffic jams, as it blocks outside air and prevents polluted air from entering the vehicle. Use external circulation more often during long drives to breathe in fresh air from outside. Internal circulation only recirculates air within the vehicle, which saves fuel and cools or heats up quickly since no outside air is involved. However, it has the disadvantage of not refreshing the interior air. External circulation draws in outside air through the blower, which helps maintain fresh air inside the vehicle but consumes more fuel and slows down cooling or heating.
I remember when I first started driving, I didn’t quite understand the meaning of this light either. After some trial and error, I figured out that when the small light on the air conditioning panel is on, it usually means the recirculation mode is activated—this means the air inside the car is circulating internally, rather than drawing fresh air from outside. This mode is especially useful in the summer, as it cools the car down much faster, or when stuck in traffic to avoid inhaling exhaust fumes from other vehicles. The opposite is the fresh air (or external circulation) mode, where the light is off or another button is lit, allowing fresh air to enter from outside. The icon typically shows a car with an arrow circling inside, making it easy to recognize. It’s important not to keep the recirculation mode on all the time, as the air inside the car can become stale. Switching to fresh air mode occasionally on highways or in clean environments is better for healthy breathing. Get into the habit of checking the light to know the current mode—it’s quite convenient.
