This Camry has an automatic climate control system which I never use. Yet, the recirculate on/off switch seems to be controlled automatically even though Auto on/off setting is off. Is this normal? Is there a setting to change this? About the only time I switch to recirculate is temporarily when I encounter, for example, a vehicle spewing out smoke.
There's a good chance you want to recirculate when the AC is on. If you do not recirc with AC, then you are always putting max cool on hot air from outside, but if you recirc, then your car only has to cool air that it has cooled already. In theory, this would shorten the duty cycle of the compressor, or shorten the ON Time, which should translate into lower fuel costs. You do not want recirc when the system is set to the Vent Mode where the goal is to draw in 100% fresh air. You might do this on a day when the temps are moderate to cool, and you are not wanting to either heat or cool the air that comes in.
In my cars (none have an Auto Mode), I like to set the vents (dash air) during our moderate winters to fresh air, and I put a window down somewhere that causes the air to leave the car as easily as it gets in, and I set the fan speed to low so there is always air moving, and usually fresh air. In summer, then I set the AC to Max, which is the recirc setting, and when the system finally blows cold, then I close the windows so the cool air stays inside.
There's a good chance you want to recirculate when the AC is on. If you do not recirc with AC, then you are always putting max cool on hot air from outside, but if you recirc, then your car only has to cool air that it has cooled already. In theory, this would shorten the duty cycle of the compressor, or shorten the ON Time, which should translate into lower fuel costs. You do not want recirc when the system is set to the Vent Mode where the goal is to draw in 100% fresh air. You might do this on a day when the temps are moderate to cool, and you are not wanting to either heat or cool the air that comes in.
In my cars (none have an Auto Mode), I like to set the vents (dash air) during our moderate winters to fresh air, and I put a window down somewhere that causes the air to leave the car as easily as it gets in, and I set the fan speed to low so there is always air moving, and usually fresh air. In summer, then I set the AC to Max, which is the recirc setting, and when the system finally blows cold, then I close the windows so the cool air stays inside. ____________________________________
Thanks for replying. Maybe I phrased the question poorly. What I'm trying to find out is whether my system has a defect or whether it is designed to function this way. My experience in other cars is nothing happens with the recirculation function until you manually turn it on or off, unless you are in the AUTO mode. In the AUTO mode, the recirculation function (as well as fan speed, etc.) adjusts automatically depending in the inside and outside temperature.
Without regard to any AUTO function, as that seems to be what you are /not/ asking about.
I've seen: 1.cars where the recirc indicator comes on every time you turn-on the AC manually, 2. cars where the recirc indicator does not come on every time you turn-on the AC manually, so I then press recirc.
If it does the same thing every time, it's normal.
IME, of course GW
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