What A/C setting is "better" recycle or fresh air?

[hdsr5]

Hey guys. I was just wondering, in my 1995 Accord OR my 1991 NSX, which setting will get the inside of the car colder, faster? Recycle or Fresh Air? And what is the better setting for when I am on the freeway here in Las Vegas and the temperature is in the 90's or 100's? What would cool the car better? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN "PERFORMANCE" between the 2 settings in the first place? THis is one of those stupid irritating questions I always wondered about but always forgot to ask. Until now...

 

[pacacu]

in HK where the temp/humidity is hi, I use recirculate during the first 5/10 mins to cool down the car if it has been under the sun. then use auto/fresh. problem is when you are going thru the tunnels or behind buses/trailers, then you go off auto to kill the fume.

 

[nsxtasy]

Recirculate will cool the car down faster, because it gets to cool the already-cooled air from inside the car, rather than using all outside (HOT) air.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Good advise,

With that said, I recommend favoring the "fresh air" setting to minimize moisture is the system, so you don't get any mildew.


HTH,
LarryB

 

[nsxtasy]

Good advise,

With that said, I recommend favoring the "fresh air" setting to minimize moisture is the system, so you don't get any mildew.

Yes - I recommend using the recirculate setting when you first get into the car and want it to cool down quickly, then switching to fresh air (or auto mode) once it's down to the temperature you want it at.

BTW, moisture and mildew probably aren't a concern in Las Vegas.

 

[Animate]

IMO... To cool fastest use fresh air until your interior temperature is the same as ambient. From that point on use recirculate for the same reason nsxtasy mentioned.

From a comfort standpoint: we generate moisture by virtue of respiration & perspiration. It is arguably more comfortable to use fresh air, at least when the outside air is fresh!

 

[nsxtasy]

Okay, just in case the above sounds confusing...

When you first get in the car, if the temperature of the air inside the car is hotter than the outside air (such as if it's been sitting out in the sun), use the fresh air setting... or, open the windows and give the car a chance to air out.

Once the temperature inside the car is no longer hotter than the outside temperature, use the recirculate setting for fastest cooling.

Once the temperature has cooled down to where you like it, if you want fresh air, switch back to the fresh air setting at that time (unless it's 120 degrees out and it can't maintain the car cool enough for you that way, in which case you can leave it on recirculate).

 

[ChopsJazz]

Good advise,

With that said, I recommend favoring the "fresh air" setting to minimize moisture is the system, so you don't get any mildew.


HTH,
LarryB

Hi Larry,
Actually the best way to stop mildew formation is to turn the air conditioner off with the fan on full for the last few minutes of operation. This will blow fresh air over the condenser coils and dry them off before the car sits still and attracts mildew spores. I've done this for years now and have solved my mildew A/C problems.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Thanks Ken, Ken, and all

LarryB