Is the Light On for Recirculation or Off?
4 Answers
Light on indicates recirculation mode. The operation method for recirculation is: press the recirculation button inside the vehicle. In recirculation mode, the air exchange passage between the inside and outside of the vehicle is closed. When the fan is off, the airflow inside the vehicle does not circulate. When the fan is on, the inhaled airflow comes from inside the vehicle, forming an internal airflow circulation. The function of vehicle recirculation is to block polluted air, prevent external gases from entering the vehicle, and ensure clean air inside the car. The functional buttons in the vehicle include: 1. Headlight washer button: controls the automatic headlight cleaning function; 2. Parking sensor button: manually controls the parking sensors when pressed; 3. Central lock button: the control button for the vehicle's central door locks.
After driving for almost ten years, I finally figured out the air recirculation indicator light. When you press the recirculation button and the light comes on, it means the system is circulating air inside the car—this is what you use to block outside exhaust during smoggy days or traffic jams. If the light is off, it's drawing in outside air, which is good for highway driving when the air quality is better. Last time I got my car washed, I specifically asked the mechanic about it. He said most cars have the recirculation mode activated when the light is on, but it's best to check if the airflow from the vents changes after pressing the button, especially in older cars where the button might have poor contact.
Last time I took my child out and discovered pollen allergies, I finally figured out the recirculation light. Pressing the button to light it up means activating the car's air recirculation mode, which keeps dust out when the windows are closed. When the light is off, it means the outside air mode is on. I prefer closing the windows and turning on the outside air mode when driving on the highway to avoid the noise from open windows. A little tip: to cool down quickly after the car has been baking in the summer sun, first turn on the outside air mode to dissipate the heat, then switch to recirculation for faster cooling. But be careful not to keep the recirculation mode on for too long, as it can cause the windows to fog up and make you drowsy.
Last time I went on a self-driving trip to the northwest, a fellow traveler in our team taught me this: the small car icon with an arrow button on the dashboard is the recirculation control button. When the light is on, it means the system is sealed to circulate the air inside the car; when the light is off, it represents fresh air mode. Remember to turn on recirculation on dusty roads to avoid sand getting in, but switch to fresh air mode after entering a tunnel. I once tried keeping recirculation on when there was smoke smell in the car, and it wouldn't go away, but after switching to fresh air mode, it was gone in five minutes.
