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I have a 2020 xle hybrid and the recirculating air button turns on but clearly allows outside air in. I am wondering if anyone out there is experiencing the same issues on their new vehicle and what they have done to remedy?
Recirculating Air Button Not Working
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Its supposed to do that, by law actually. Recirc is 20% fresh air.
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I never heard that before. Do you have a reference please?
Read much?
Toyota used to have a button option for 100% recirc called "filter" or similar names that would operate for 3 min or so. But I haven't seen that for some years. It was a cute way to get around the regulations. Anyways, 20% was the last published Toyota number I've seen. There are a number of regulations involved, allowed CO2 and CO levels and so forth.
In the hybrids where ventilation of the battery components is a concern, some fresh air is desired for that reason as well.
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I do read a fair amount. If you can find them, I'd still appreciate reading the relevant regulations that apply to automakers and in-car air mixtures. Thank you.
It has to do that or you would die of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Okay...I got it now. There is a law somewhere (whereabouts known to only a select few) that requires 20% "fresh" air (even while stuck on an LA freeway) or we would all be dead. Thanks.
I have been looking for a bit and can't really find a law about it, just health organizations recommending to have 10-20% fresh air when recirculating is active. Seems the only reason for it is to reduce CO2 build up in the cabin
Simultaneously reducing CO2 and particulate exposures via fractional recirculation of vehicle cabin air
Prior studies demonstrate that air recirculation can reduce exposure to nanoparticles in vehicle cabins. However when people occupy confined spaces, air recirculation can lead to carbon dioxide (CO[2] ) accumulation which can potentially lead to deleterious ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Here is a document I read through a bit that goes pretty in depth on how much builds up at what recirculate percentage and other stuff.
Zuh? Carbon dioxide maybe?
No, carbon monoxide.The stuff that comes out of car exhaust.
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This doesn't pass my smell test.
More likely I'd want to get the carbon dioxide out than be worried about that
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And yes that is what the HHS report linked above confirms is the potential problem. But today, who believes science anyway?
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Unless you have an exhaust leak before the catalytic converter, this would be the only place where the CO levels would be high. Even if you were driving with the rear hatch open, the exhaust system should be only emitting CO2 and water. Now inside the vehicle, everyone is breathing out CO2 and depleting O2 so I can see where a car full of people and the car on recric for a lengthy period of time could elevate the CO2 levels to an unhealthy level.
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I can think of several reasons temporarily stopping outside air is good for your health. Brush fires, car fires, chemical spills, or just vehicles billowing out smoke. Maybe the feature could have a time limit to make it safer.
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Do you mean like Tesla's Bioweapon Defense Mode feature?
If you’d like to read a professional journal article on the buildup of vehicle cabin CO2 check out this link
A buildup of CO2 will cause decreased performance and drowsiness.
A buildup of CO2 will cause decreased performance and drowsiness.
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