The Difference Between Air Recirculation and Fresh Air Mode

[McGabriella]

The differences between air recirculation and fresh air mode are as follows: 1. Air recirculation works by closing the airflow passage between the inside and outside of the vehicle: When the air conditioning is turned on, only the air inside the vehicle circulates. When the fan is not turned on, there is no gas circulation inside the vehicle. 2. Fresh air mode works by using the fan to exchange air between the inside and outside of the vehicle: It brings outside air into the vehicle and expels the inside air to the outside. Even when the fan is not turned on, the vehicle can still allow airflow to enter and refresh the air inside. 3. Whether to use air recirculation or fresh air mode depends on the driving scenario: If driving on the highway for a long time, the air inside the vehicle can become stale, and opening the windows can create significant wind noise. In this case, turning on the fresh air mode can help replace the air inside the vehicle, and it also filters out poor-quality air. If driving in the city during rainy, snowy, or poor air quality conditions, closing the windows and turning on the air recirculation mode of the air conditioning is a good choice.

[SanEloise]

I've been driving for over a decade and often encounter the issue of air recirculation vs fresh air mode. Simply put, fresh air mode draws outside air into the car, similar to opening windows for ventilation. It's suitable when air quality is good, like on country roads where it keeps the cabin air fresh. Recirculation mode only circulates the existing air inside the car without drawing outside air. This is better when outside air quality is poor - during traffic jams or smog - as it reduces pollutants entering the cabin and helps the AC cool or maintain temperature faster. Many drivers confuse these settings, often using recirculation on highways. Actually, this causes CO2 buildup which can cause drowsiness - fresh air mode is safer and more comfortable for long drives. Some drivers use recirculation in rainy weather to prevent window fogging. The key is switching modes according to conditions - the button is usually on the AC panel near the airflow direction icons.