Should You Use Internal or External Air Circulation When Smoking in the Car?
4 Answers
When smoking in the car, it is recommended to use the external air circulation mode. This allows outside air to flow into the car and helps remove the smoke from the interior. Relevant information is as follows: Internal Circulation Mode: If smoking inside the car, it is advisable to open the windows to allow the smoke to dissipate quickly with the airflow. The internal circulation mode helps maintain warmth in winter and keeps the car cool with air conditioning in summer. Using the internal air circulation mode can quickly lower the interior temperature and prevent outside air and odors from entering the car. Consequences of Prolonged Use of Internal Circulation Mode: Extended use of the internal circulation mode may cause the windows to fog up. If window fogging occurs, you can activate the defogging mode on the air conditioning system. When defogging is enabled, the dehumidification function works, and the fan speed increases. Setting the air circulation mode to external circulation, increasing airflow, and raising the temperature can help defog the windshield and front side windows more quickly.
Smoking in the car requires turning on the external air circulation—I speak from experience. Using internal circulation just traps the air inside, letting cigarette smoke linger in the car. Over time, the interior absorbs the smell, and yellow stains appear on the seats. My habit is to roll down the window about two fingers' width and set the external air circulation to the highest setting—the strong airflow blows the smoke right out. If it's too cold in winter, you can use external circulation with the heater on, which is still better than enduring eye irritation from the smoke. After smoking, don’t rush to close the window—keep the external air circulation running for a few more minutes, or the car will smell like an ashtray the next day. Honestly, it’s best not to smoke in the car at all—it’s bad for your health and increases the risk of fire.
As a long-time driver, I can tell you definitively that you should only use the external air circulation when smoking. Internal circulation is like sealing yourself in a can—the tar and particulate matter from the smoke will keep recirculating inside the car, turning it into a secondhand smoke chamber. When using external circulation, remember to point the air vents toward the windows to speed up smoke extraction. The first few puffs are the most intense, so I usually switch to external circulation mode 10 seconds in advance. Don't turn off the AC immediately after finishing—let the system run a while longer for complete air exchange. Also, check your cabin air filter monthly—filters clog faster if you smoke frequently, and replacements can get expensive.
Just turn on the external air circulation when smoking! I tried smoking with internal circulation once, and the smell lingered for three days—my wife refused to sit in the passenger seat. External circulation draws fresh air from outside, and cracking the windows helps even more. Remember to crank up the fan speed—the defroster vents blow hard and clear smoke faster. The same goes for vaping—those lingering clouds are no joke. If you're on the highway and can't roll down the windows, external circulation with max fan speed is your only option. For long-term smokers, it's best to clean the AC ducts every quarter—otherwise, condensed water mixed with tobacco residue creates a nasty smell.
