recycle air turning off automaticaly

mcouldrey · 06-03-2012, 03:45 PM

hi guys, this may be a stupid question which perhaps my manual will answer but...

Is it normal for the recycle air to turn itself off after a short time? I pressed the button to recycle the air, 10 mins later its off and blowing outside air in.. Whether the air con/fan is off or on, its turning the recycle off..

Hmmm..

wombat66 · 06-03-2012, 04:08 PM

We had a conversation about this on another thread. Most people said it happened to them although the time it took to happen seemed to differ. It's probably so you don't get sleepy in a stuffy car. I would prefer it to be about 30 minutes but it's no big drama just pushing the button again.

mcouldrey · 06-03-2012, 04:18 PM

Well, the way i see it, is i spent over $20k on this car meaning, i own the car, i tell the car what to do, not have a car tell me what to do. If i want it off, i want it off!

Stupid thing! Lol

josem · 06-03-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcouldrey

i own the car, i tell the car what to do, not have a car tell me what to do. If i want it off, i want it off!

Bring back the manual air recirculation lever !!!! At least with the lever, you can adjust the amount of fresh air percentage. With the button, it is either open or shut !!!

rand0mn00b · 06-03-2012, 06:44 PM

it is normal
it is annoying

as wombat66 said, the intervals seem to vary

that doesn't seem normal
but it is certainly annoying

blatchie · 06-03-2012, 06:47 PM

Its there for your safety. There has been studies done that show when the car is on re-circ the carbon dioxide levels increase to dangerous levels. How much effort does it take to push the button again.

josem · 06-03-2012, 06:57 PM

I cannot figure out when it opens. It is definitely variable based probably on the temperature and other settings. I cannot imagine that there is an oxygen or carbon dioxide sensor inside the car because these are expensive.

poppa smurf · 06-03-2012, 06:58 PM

^^^ yep! all part of the climate control......what if you slow the fan speed down thus throwing the system into partial auto climate control does it still do it then?

josem · 06-03-2012, 06:59 PM

On my normal 30 minute drive to work, sometimes it opens once sometimes it opens 3 times. I like keeping it shut because I have sensitivity to pollens and it greatly helps if the air recirc is shut closed.

marg99 · 06-03-2012, 07:27 PM

I thought the focus had pollen filters these days on the air intake. Is this only on some models?

pera · 08-03-2012, 01:54 PM

I started the previous thread about this.

As most of you indicated, the time varies. Sometimes I have long runs and most of the time it's just 5 minutes. Haven't a clue as to why it does that but sure is annoying.

I don't want to be breathing carbon polluted air from the vehicle in front of me if I'm stuck in a traffic jam. Luckily we live in country and that doesn't happen often.

May be we should request a software update?

josem · 08-03-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marg99

I thought the focus had pollen filters these days on the air intake. Is this only on some models?

It does. Even the 1.6 Ambiente has one. I asked the service guy to show it to me. It is at the back of the centre console down near the floor. Access is via the left passenger side.

josem · 08-03-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pera

I don't want to be breathing carbon polluted air from the vehicle in front of me if I'm stuck in a traffic jam.

I agree. The cabin filter cannot help with a smoke belching vehicle in front of you. Usually following a ute or a courier van will have some smoke.

More importantly, It also disturbs your driving concentration when you have to glance down to check the light is still on (vent closed) once in a while.

topdec · 14-03-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pera

I started the previous thread about this.

As most of you indicated, the time varies. Sometimes I have long runs and most of the time it's just 5 minutes. Haven't a clue as to why it does that but sure is annoying.

I don't want to be breathing carbon polluted air from the vehicle in front of me if I'm stuck in a traffic jam. Luckily we live in country and that doesn't happen often.

May be we should request a software update?

According to the car manual the only time the switch turns on and off is when/if you have climate control fitted. On the manual version A/C the car manual states that you can toggle/switch between recycled air. It does not say anything about switching itself off at any length of time.
I feel it stupid that it keeps switching off every 5 mins. or so. I have just bought a new Focus Trend and have asked the dealer for some explanation. All Ford has said that this is natural and there is nothing wrong with the switch.(no why's or therefore's)
Lets get practical if there is warm air coming into the car the A/C has to work that much harder so you do not get the full benefit of the A/C and the bottom line is more fuel consumption.
Ford will have to come up with a better explanation other than the ones I have read here in this forum.