03/03/2025
Most vehicles have a recirculation button as part of their AC controls, but many of us aren’t sure when to use it. The simple rule of thumb is to use it in the summer and turn it off in the winter.
The recirculation button works by taking the air inside your car and recirculating it within the cabin, rather than pulling in fresh air from outside. On extremely hot days, if you don't use the recirculation feature, your AC system has to cool the hot air from outside, which can be less efficient. By recirculating the cooler air inside the car, you can cool your vehicle more quickly and reduce the strain on your AC system.
Side note: If your car has been sitting in the sun, it’s better to roll the windows down and turn off recirculation for the first minute or so. This allows the superheated air inside to escape before you turn the recirculation on.
Additionally, anytime you’re stuck in traffic—whether it’s summer or winter—be sure to use the recirculation feature. If you’re pulling air from outside, you’re also pulling in pollutants and carbon monoxide from the traffic around you. Studies show that using the recirculation feature can reduce the amount of pollutants entering your vehicle by 20% when you’re stuck in traffic.
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