What the Air Recirculation Button Does in Your Car

The air recirculation button — usually shown as a car with a circular arrow — controls where your vehicle’s ventilation system gets air from. When it’s off, your car pulls fresh air from outside, filters it, and then heats or cools it before it enters the cabin. When you press the recirculation button, it closes the outside air intake and instead reuses the air already inside the car, creating a closed loop.

This function is especially useful in hot weather or heavy traffic. It helps your air conditioner cool the cabin faster because it’s chilling air that’s already been cooled once, rather than constantly cooling hot outside air. It also reduces the amount of pollutants, exhaust fumes, pollen, and unpleasant odors that enter the vehicle.

However, it’s best not to use it all the time. In cold or rainy conditions, recirculating air can trap humidity inside, fogging up windows and making the cabin feel stuffy. Switching back to fresh air in those situations keeps windows clear and improves comfort.