What does your car’s air recirculation button actually do? | March 22, 2025

Hidden among the many controls on your dashboard is an often overlooked button: the air recirculation button, symbolized by a circular arrow in a car. Yet, its role is essential for your comfort, your health, and even for saving fuel. But when and how should you best use it? Here’s everything you need to know to optimize its use.

The function of the air recirculation button

When you activate this mode, the air already present in the passenger compartment is recycled instead of being replaced by outside air. This mechanism allows:

  • Rapid cooling:  Since the indoor air is already pre-cooled, the air conditioning system works less to maintain the desired temperature.
  • A barrier against pollutants  : Exhaust gases, allergens or unpleasant odors remain outside.
  • Energy saving  : The motor uses less energy to cool or heat the recirculated air, also extending the life of the air conditioning system.

The benefits of recycled air

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