What is the External Circulation Symbol?
4 Answers
The external circulation symbol is an unenclosed car with an external air arrow pointing into the vehicle, indicating the flow of outside air into the car. One of the main facilities for regulating air circulation and temperature inside the car is the internal and external circulation. The characteristic of the car air conditioner's external circulation is that it can maintain the freshness of the air inside the car, but its cooling effect is not obvious. Internal circulation allows the air inside the car to circulate when it is closed, and its icon is a closed car with a circular arrow inside. Use internal circulation in traffic jams and external circulation on highways. The use of internal and external circulation should be combined with the air conditioner and heater.
I remember when I first encountered a car's air conditioning system, I noticed the distinctive symbol for the external air circulation mode—it's a small arrow pointing from the window into the car's interior, usually clearly visible on the control panel, mostly in blue or white. I love using this mode most when driving on highways, letting fresh air flush through the car, especially on sunny days, instantly making the interior feel much fresher. Occasionally, I'd share this tip with friends, advising them to check the vehicle's manual to confirm the icon details, to avoid mistaking it for the internal circulation mode and bringing in stale air, which could affect the comfort of the journey. The design of the symbol is actually quite intuitive—its meaning is clear at a simple glance, and once you get used to it, your driving experience improves significantly, no longer needing to fumble around.
When driving, I often find myself glancing at the AC controls. The recirculation button is easy to spot with its distinctive inward-curving arrow symbol, usually located on the center console or near the steering wheel, with a glossy finish indicating its status. Back when I first started driving, I was pretty clueless - once during rainy weather I forgot to turn it on, and the windshield got all fogged up. Later I learned to use the recirculation mode to refresh air during highway driving or switch back to internal circulation in city traffic to avoid exhaust fumes. Though small, this button plays a big role in maintaining cabin air quality. I'd recommend new drivers practice using it - getting familiar with it will save you lots of trouble later.
Discussing the external circulation symbol, it's essentially an icon of an arrow entering the car, reminding us to introduce fresh air. I always prioritize this while driving, turning it on for ventilation during good weather, especially on long trips, keeping the car from feeling stuffy. The difference from the internal circulation icon, which has an arrow circling inside, is intuitive when switching—don't confuse them to avoid affecting respiratory health. Using external circulation more often can reduce window fogging, a handy little tip.
