These are the different A/C settings to use for every car drive you do all year round and there's some you're sleeping on

Most people turn their A/C on or off but don’t really fiddle with the settings, but this may change your mind.

There are so many things we can do to make the A/C work better.

Including one that makes a huge difference in traffic.

Recirculation vs fresh air

Most drivers leave the same A/C settings on year-round, probably because it’s just easier and faster.

But there are a few things we can do to improve the air quality and regulate the temperature in the cabin.

For example, switching between ‘fresh air’ and ‘recirculation’ can make your cabin cooler, clearer, and more comfortable depending on the situation.

‘Recirculation’ mode reuses the air already inside your car, which means the A/C will cool the cabin faster and reduce outside exhaust and odors.

However, reusing the same air that’s already in the cabin means sooner or later it’ll become stale, which is why using ‘fresh air’ mode can help, because it’ll pull air from outside, which has two main benefits.

First, it prevents foggy windows; and second, it keeps the cabin from feeling stale.

A simple rule to follow

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution as it all depends on different factors.

In general, a simple rule is to use ‘recirculation’ on hot days, in heavy traffic, or when outside air smells bad.

This’ll generally work, at least for a while, and it’ll take time for the air to become stale.

Especially if the car is new.

When the air is cleaner, switching to ‘fresh air’ will improve the air quality in the cabin.

Also, switching to ‘fresh air’ in cooler weather, during highway driving with no traffic, or whenever your windows begin to fog, will help.

If your car has been sitting in the sun, it’d be a great idea to start with ‘fresh air’ for a minute to push the trapped heat out, then switch to ‘recirculation’ again.

Just a few small tweaks to your A/C settings could make every journey more comfortable, whatever the season.