Should You Use Internal or External Air Circulation When Turning on the Heater in Winter?
2 Answers
When using the heater in winter, it is recommended to use internal circulation for short trips and external circulation for long trips. Below are detailed explanations of internal and external circulation: 1. Internal circulation system: The air exchange channel between the inside and outside of the car is closed. When the fan is off, the airflow inside the car does not circulate. When the fan is on, the incoming airflow is only drawn from inside the car, creating an internal airflow cycle. 2. External circulation system: External circulation mode uses the fan to draw air from outside the car into the cabin. The air blown by the fan comes from outside the car. Even if the fan is off, airflow is still drawn into the car while driving, replenishing fresh air inside the cabin.
As a commuter who frequently drives in the northern regions, I've experienced many winter driving situations. When using the heater in winter, the recirculation mode can quickly warm up the air inside the car, making you feel warm within three to five minutes. However, prolonged use of recirculation can make the air stuffy, increase carbon dioxide levels, raise the risk of window fogging, and make you drowsy after long drives. Therefore, I usually start with recirculation to warm up the car quickly, then switch to fresh air mode once the temperature stabilizes. This maintains warmth while preventing fogging and keeping you alert. Remember, for long drives, switching every 20 minutes is safest. Many modern cars now come with an auto recirculation mode, which balances these needs automatically, eliminating manual hassle. Adopting this habit makes winter driving much more comfortable.