When air recirculation is turned off, your vehicle’s ventilation system pulls fresh air from outside, filters it, then heats or cools it before distributing it throughout the cabin. When recirculation is turned on, an internal flap closes, blocking outside air and allowing the system to reuse the air already inside the car. This creates a closed-loop system that helps the climate control operate more efficiently in certain situations.

One of the main benefits of using recirculation is faster cooling in warm weather.