Should You Turn Off the External Air Circulation When Parking?

[DeDante]

It mainly depends on the external air environment. If the air quality is good, you don't need to turn it off. However, if you are parking in places with poor air quality, such as a garage, it is better to turn off the external air circulation to prevent the car from being filled with low-quality air, which affects the riding environment. Below is other relevant information: 1. Benefits of turning off external air circulation: When you turn off the external air circulation, it can prevent poor-quality air from outside from entering the car and also help maintain the internal temperature of the car. After turning on the internal air circulation, in areas like underground garages, traffic jams, or sandy and dusty roads, it prevents exhaust fumes, polluted air from garages, and dust from entering the car. 2. The role of external air circulation: External air circulation ventilates the car, allowing stale, oxygen-depleted air inside to be expelled and fresh air to flow in. If you are using the air conditioning in the car, it is recommended to turn on the internal air circulation mode, which can speed up the cooling or heating effect of the air conditioning.

[ErinRose]

I've been driving for over a decade, and I always turn off the fresh air mode when parking. Why? Because if you park on an outer ring road or in an underground garage where exhaust fumes are heavy, leaving the fresh air mode on allows those pollutants to easily enter the car, deteriorating the air quality inside. Once, I parked next to a bus stop and forgot to turn off the fresh air mode, ending up inhaling a noseful of exhaust fumes, which made me feel a bit nauseous. Since then, I've made it a habit: as soon as I park, I switch to recirculation mode to avoid such risks. Additionally, prolonged exposure to highly polluted environments can affect respiratory health, especially for families with children. This small action can protect the whole family's safety. I've also noticed that turning off the fresh air mode makes the air conditioning work more efficiently, which is particularly noticeable in summer—the car cools down faster without consuming too much fuel. Overall, this is a simple safety measure, and I highly recommend everyone give it a try.

[StCarlos]

As an environmental enthusiast, I recommend turning off the external air circulation when parking, as it helps the vehicle save energy. When you park outdoors, keeping the external air circulation on continuously exchanges hot or cold air from outside, forcing the air conditioning to work harder to maintain the temperature, which consumes more gasoline or electricity. I've personally tested this; switching to internal circulation significantly improves air conditioning efficiency, noticeably reduces fuel consumption, and cuts down on carbon emissions—contributing to environmental protection. Additionally, parking in polluted areas or during peak hours with internal circulation prevents exhaust fumes from entering, keeping the cabin air fresh. Of course, if the parking time is very short, like waiting at a traffic light, it doesn't matter. But for long-term parking, making this switch is worth promoting—it's simple and effective.

[DiKendra]

Should I turn off the external air circulation when parking? My daily commuting experience tells me to handle it flexibly. For short stops, like waiting at traffic lights or quickly picking up items, it's fine to leave it on for easy access. But for long stops, such as parking lots or chatting by the roadside, turning off the external circulation can prevent stuffiness or odors inside the car. I always do this, especially in hot weather when quickly switching to internal circulation immediately freshens the air. The key is to consider the surrounding environment: turn it off if pollution is high; open it a bit for ventilation if the air is good. This little trick enhances comfort and safety.

[AvaAnn]

From a maintenance perspective, turning off the external air circulation when parking is a good habit. During car repairs, I noticed that the air conditioning system is prone to accumulating dust and impurities, especially when contaminants are blown in by the wind during engine cooling. Turning off the external circulation prevents these contaminants from entering, protecting the internal filters and components, and extending the lifespan of the air conditioning system. I immediately switch to internal circulation after each parking to avoid the buildup of dirt that could lead to malfunctions. This also saves money by reducing the frequency of part replacements. Additionally, in polluted areas, this practice benefits health. After trying it a few times, it becomes second nature—simple and risk-free.