Should You Use Internal or External Air Circulation in Winter?
2 Answers
Whether to use internal or external air circulation in winter depends on different situations: When drivers are about to operate the vehicle, they should first turn on the internal circulation to allow the interior temperature to reach a comfortable level. After entering the vehicle, it's also advisable to appropriately activate the external circulation to ensure air flow inside the car. During winter, when the car is in a sealed state, prolonged use of internal circulation will degrade the air quality inside. For short trips, using internal circulation alone is sufficient as it heats up faster. For long-distance driving, consider starting with internal circulation and periodically switching to external circulation. If the external air quality is poor, be more cautious when using external circulation.
When driving in winter, I usually turn on the recirculation mode first to help quickly warm up the air inside the car. This way, the car becomes warm within a few minutes after starting, avoiding discomfort from the cold. However, keeping the recirculation mode on continuously can make the air stuffy, which may cause motion sickness or fogging on the windshield. So, I switch to the fresh air mode for a short while every 15 to 20 minutes to let outside air in. This works great for defogging and dehumidifying, while also refreshing the oxygen levels inside the car and preventing fatigue caused by carbon dioxide buildup. If it's snowing or sleeting, I use the fresh air mode more often to prevent frost on the windows, ensuring safer visibility. Remember, maintaining a balanced switch between modes is key—overusing recirculation can make breathing difficult and do more harm than good.
