Automatic Recirculation Control: Does anyone use this?

[r_pil]

Curious to know how many use the Auto recirculation control. I understand that when the left light is on then the "sniffer" senses bad air and engages the recirculation mode. Wondering how useful this feature is as mine does not seem to work and I do not want to spend more on getting it fixed. My left light on the button does not light up and I have replaced the AUC sensor and cleared the fault code. Should I get this fixed or don't bother?

[JCL]

I have always used this setting, never had a problem.

[realchef]

Originally Posted by JCL

I have always used this setting, never had a problem.

leave it on permanently when the windows are up, works well

[chusteveb]

How does the "sniffer" work? bad air quality? Bad smell or odor? Who says what smells bad?

[realchef]

Originally Posted by chusteveb

How does the "sniffer" work? bad air quality? Bad smell or odor? Who says what smells bad?

it detects particulates, really handy behind a diesel bus....there should be a button on the steering wheel which will either turn it on/off or switch from auto mode to manual mode.

[StanF18]

OK, this is an interesting discussion. Does it actually "detect" particulates?

My personal experience is that it does NOT eliminate all odors. In fact if I'm right behind an older bus, I can definitely smell the diesel exhaust. And when I'm on the NJ Turnpike between say Interchange 13 and Interchange 16, the "Turnpike" smell is quite strong and breaks through the "A" function. Those of you from NJ know what I mean when I say "Turnpike smell" . So there are certain situations when the "A" function appears insufficient, and I'm forced to go to "Full-time recirculate". Would be interesting to see if others have seen the same....

[realchef]

For me, it does a pretty good job, but I don't live in Joisey. There is of course a certain amount of 'bleed' but it is a clear improvement.
Hope this helps.

[chusteveb]

Ok, now I need some clarification. I thought that like everything else I've driven, the climate control can either draw fresh air or recirculate the cabins air and that the only added function of the "A" is to automaticly select one of the 2 depending on what the "sniffer" senses. I wouldn't think there was a partial setting allowing a "bleed." So either the sniffers idea of when it should be on recirculate or fresh is different from mine, which could be since I don't even know how it decides, or mine isn't working as it should. The only difference the "A" function may not do vs. the full-time recirculate that I could think of is on a manual selected "Full-time recirculate" that it stops even fresh air from coming in the center dash vents. The ones that have the added temperature control by the roll dial between the vents, which is a little wierd in itself but that's a whole other topic.

I tend to stay away from recirculate except for when I'm trying to cool the cabin quickly or avoid an odor which usually by the time I smell it, is too late. Leaving it on full time recirculate after having my a/c on and shutting off the vehicle usually results in a bad smelling a/c scent the next time I start up the car. I've had the same results from using the "A" too. Leaving it on the fresh setting I don't smell my a/c.

[realchef]

Originally Posted by chusteveb

Ok, now I need some clarification. I thought that like everything else I've driven, the climate control can either draw fresh air or recirculate the cabins air and that the only added function of the "A" is to automaticly select one of the 2 depending on what the "sniffer" senses. I wouldn't think there was a partial setting allowing a "bleed." So either the sniffers idea of when it should be on recirculate or fresh is different from mine, which could be since I don't even know how it decides, or mine isn't working as it should. The only difference the "A" function may not do vs. the full-time recirculate that I could think of is on a manual selected "Full-time recirculate" that it stops even fresh air from coming in the center dash vents. The ones that have the added temperature control by the roll dial between the vents, which is a little wierd in itself but that's a whole other topic.

I tend to stay away from recirculate except for when I'm trying to cool the cabin quickly or avoid an odor which usually by the time I smell it, is too late. Leaving it on full time recirculate after having my a/c on and shutting off the vehicle usually results in a bad smelling a/c scent the next time I start up the car. I've had the same results from using the "A" too. Leaving it on the fresh setting I don't smell my a/c.

Sorry to confuse, there is no partial setting. By bleed, I meant some odors are going to get through in a small amount as the Auto detects them.

Oh, the Dealer has a duct spray they can use to help with a musty type oder in the system. I had it done and it worked ok. Now it smells like the spray instead of my dog's @ss.

[captx5]

I'm curious, I drive with the A/C on and windows up all the time, it's quite dusty here. I use the 'A' setting permanently. System seemed to work fine, occasionally I'd get a very slight whiff of an odor which would quickly disappear, but recently I notice the odors get much stronger, as if not being filtered out. I resorted to manually switching to re-circulate whenever I'm driving up behind a smoky diesel truck or anything of the sort.

Question is, does the sensor go bad, a filter need changing or is the system just bust and need fixing? Thanks, in advance, for any tips.