Air conditioning - why is recirculate not default? | Ask Honest John

Air conditioning - why is recirculate not default?

I have hired two different cars recently and now have a new Skoda, and all three default to air circulation off when the a/c button is pressed. I would expect recirculate to be the more logical default, because otherwise more air is having to be cooled. What is the thinking behind this arrangement?

Asked on 19 December 2015 by Peter Thomas

Answered by Honest John

The reason is that if people get into a hot car and switch on the a/c with re-circulate, noxious fumes from the hot plastics are recirculated and inhaled. Switching to admit outside air while the car initially cools down is safer for the occupants.

Tags: air con

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