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The experts’ trick – this little button on the car reduces air conditioning consumption and hardly anyone uses it properly

by Rita Armenteros
July 2, 2025
The experts' trick - this little button on the car reduces air conditioning consumption and hardly anyone uses it properly

The experts' trick - this little button on the car reduces air conditioning consumption and hardly anyone uses it properly

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The car’s air conditioning is the most important thing when summer arrives. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the consumption in order to reach the perfect interior temperature. In order to have an optimal interior ventilation there are many tricks, but there is one that most drivers do not know. Here’s how, with just the push of a button, the climate control system will improve exponentially and you will save fuel. To enjoy an efficient and totally cool driving for the arrival of higher temperatures, do not hesitate to continue reading.

The arrival of summer and air conditioning: whar driver must get to know

With the arrival of the heat, the car’s air conditioning becomes an indispensable ally to make journeys more bearable. But did you know that if you don’t use it correctly you could be wasting more fuel and forcing the air conditioning system unnecessarily? Many drivers activate the air conditioning without thinking about the most efficient setting, which can result in higher fuel consumption and slower cooling. Even drivers who have been behind the wheel for the longest time are unaware of this great trick.

Fortunately, there is a small button that often goes unnoticed but makes a big difference. It’s on almost every vehicle and, if you use it before turning on the air conditioning, you can cool the car faster, spend less and take care of the system in the long run. Below we explain in detail which button is the key to efficient cooling of your vehicle.

The button you must activate before turning on the air conditioning

That button that we often ignore has a symbol of a car with an arrow that rotates inside it. This is the air recirculation button, and its function is to prevent the air conditioning system from taking air from outside. Instead, it reuses the air already present inside the car, which is usually cooler than the air outside, especially if we have already driven for a few minutes with the windows open.

Activating this button before turning on the air conditioning allows the system to work with less hot air, so it cools the interior much faster. This not only increases air efficiency, but also reduces fuel consumption and prevents the system from being overloaded, something that can happen if it constantly has to cool air at very high outside temperatures.

Why this button saves money and cools faster

When the air conditioning system has to draw hot air from outside (above 35 °C on many summer days), it needs more energy to cool it down. That means more effort for the air-conditioning compressor and, in combustion cars, also higher fuel or diesel consumption. Today, in many cases, drivers are paying attention to gasoline consumption because its price is sometimes out of line with standard prices.

When using the air recirculation mode, the vehicle takes advantage of the already cooled air and continues to recycle it, allowing the passenger compartment to reach the desired temperature in less time. This method is also useful for reducing the entry of odors or pollutants from outside, especially in areas with heavy traffic.

When to activate it and when not to use it

This button is ideal for use at the start of the journey or when the car has been exposed to the sun. To maximize its effect, it is recommended to open the windows for a few seconds at start-up to expel very hot air from the interior, then close them, activate recirculation and turn on the air conditioning.

However, it is not advisable to use it permanently during long journeys, as it can generate a build-up of humidity and fog the windows. In addition, once the car has reached a comfortable temperature, it can be deactivated to allow more natural ventilation and avoid the sensation of stale air.

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