Should You Use Internal or External Air Circulation for Car Heating in Cold Weather?
2 Answers
Whether to use internal or external air circulation for car heating in winter depends on the actual situation. More information about using internal and external air circulation is as follows: 1. If you want to quickly heat up the car in winter, you can start the engine and drive normally for a while to warm it up. When the temperature gauge pointer reaches the middle position, turn on the internal air circulation for heating. When passing through areas with sand, dust, or industrial zones, internal circulation can block out dust and polluted air, keeping the interior unaffected by the external environment. When driving in the city and encountering congested roads, using internal circulation can also prevent exhaust fumes from surrounding vehicles from entering the car. 2. When driving at high speeds, it is advisable to switch the air conditioning to external circulation mode periodically to keep the air inside the car fresh. Although continuous internal circulation keeps the car warm, the interior becomes a relatively sealed environment, which can lead to oxygen deprivation over time. Therefore, it is best to switch to external circulation every hour to draw in fresh air from outside.
As someone with over a decade of driving experience, I have my own habits for using the heater in winter: I recommend using the external air circulation more often. When I first get in the car and it's freezing cold inside, I press the internal circulation button to let the hot air blow in quickly to warm up, so I don't have to shiver uncomfortably. But after a few minutes, I notice the windows start fogging up, making it hard to see, especially in humid weather—it's been so bad I've nearly had minor accidents. So, I immediately switch to external air circulation to bring in fresh air, which helps prevent fogging and keeps things safer. At the same time, I turn on the air conditioning's defogging function to assist, keeping the air inside fresh and less stuffy. Actually, the dry, cold outside air helps maintain the heater's effectiveness better, unlike internal circulation, which over time can lead to a buildup of carbon dioxide and make you feel dizzy. Lastly, don't forget to regularly check the air filter to ensure the system runs smoothly, making the heater more reliable and practical to use.
