Should You Use Recirculated Air or Fresh Air for Car Heating in Winter?

[ColemanMarie]

Whether to use recirculated air or fresh air for car heating in winter depends on specific circumstances. If driving in urban areas, recirculated air can be used. For highway driving or long-distance travel, it is recommended to switch to fresh air mode. Avoid using fresh air mode when stuck in traffic. Note that you should not continuously use recirculated air just to raise the cabin temperature. As temperature increases, oxygen levels inside the vehicle will decrease, potentially causing driver drowsiness and compromising driving safety. Differences between recirculated air and fresh air modes: Different air circulation methods: Fresh air mode draws air from outside the vehicle, while recirculated air mode circulates existing cabin air. Different dashboard symbols: The fresh air symbol shows an arrow pointing inward from outside, whereas the recirculated air symbol displays an inward-pointing arrow. Different functions: Fresh air mode brings outside air into the cabin to maintain air quality, while recirculated air mode effectively blocks external dust and harmful gases from entering, improving both cooling and heating efficiency of the air conditioning system.