Recirculate vs. Fresh Air
05-13-12, 04:26 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Recirculate vs. Fresh Air
Can anyone explain why sometimes when I start my car it defaults to recirculate and other times fresh air?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
05-13-12, 05:48 PM
#2
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Can anyone explain why sometimes when I start my car it defaults to recirculate and other times fresh air?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
05-13-12, 05:49 PM
#3
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Can anyone explain why sometimes when I start my car it defaults to recirculate and other times fresh air?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
05-13-12, 06:13 PM
#4
Because the system is very unique. You probably have it set on 'Auto'. In that mode sensors test the incoming air and if there are particulates in it (smoke, high pollen count, etc) then it will switch to re-circulate and back to fresh when the air is clean enough. If you have the NAV system you can control the sensitivity in the settings. You may need your manual to find it. I have mine set on maximum sensitivity and it works well. Also the filter will last longer that way with less mold and dirt and pollen buildup.
I hope this is what you're looking for.
I hope this is what you're looking for.
Can anyone explain why sometimes when I start my car it defaults to recirculate and other times fresh air?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
I almost always leave it on fresh air but when I start the car it's often on recirculate. AC is off when this happens.
Same thing happens on my wife's Highlander but in no other car have I had this problem.
Any ideas?
05-14-12, 04:13 AM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
We do not use the 'Auto' setting on either car, so that's not it.
I used to think if you had the sunroom open or cracked that was what drove it but that's not the answer either.
I used to think if you had the sunroom open or cracked that was what drove it but that's not the answer either.
05-14-12, 10:37 AM
#7
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05-14-12, 11:16 AM
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05-14-12, 11:47 AM
#9
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05-14-12, 12:11 PM
#10
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it depends what temperature you have the car set to. If you turn on the AC and set it to a temperature like 80, and then turn off the AC and Fan, it still thinks you want 80. That is why when you star the car, it will go into fresh air mode so that air coming in will =80.
05-14-12, 06:25 PM
#11
Driver
Thread Starter
I have had the AC off since I got the car a couple weeks ago.
AC doesn't seem to matter; without it on its still sometime recirculates and other times it doesn't.
I suppose it could have something to do with the temp but I usually have it set @ 68 no AC and honestly it doesn't seem contingent on the outside temp but I could be wrong.
AC doesn't seem to matter; without it on its still sometime recirculates and other times it doesn't.
I suppose it could have something to do with the temp but I usually have it set @ 68 no AC and honestly it doesn't seem contingent on the outside temp but I could be wrong.
05-14-12, 07:49 PM
#12
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yeah it is whatever you set the temperature to, even with AC and fan speed off, and how it compares with the temperature inside the cabin. If the two are spot on, then it will be on recirculate. If your AC temp is set higher or lower than the ambient temperature in the car, it will be on fresh air
05-15-12, 05:03 AM
#14
05-15-12, 06:11 AM
#15
Most cars when you switch it to defrost mode will start the air conditioner compressor so that you get cool dry air blowing on the windshield. On my old GM's even in the winter at full heat it would cycle the compressor to dry out the air going to the windshield. Make for much more effective defrosting.