Drivers are forgetting to turn off ‘hidden' button in car that ‘could make you drowsy' while sat in traffic
AUTO KNOW Drivers are forgetting to turn off 'hidden' button in car that 'could make you drowsy' while sat in traffic
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DRIVERS risk their health as they forget to turn off an overlooked button in their car.
The hidden button can make you drowsy which could lead to accidents.
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The hidden button can only be turned on for a short period of time
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With temperatures rising outside, you might be blasting your car's air con.
However, watch out for one air con setting which could cause sleepiness on the road.
Look for a button marked with a little arrow pointing back on itself, often accompanied by a car symbol.
Recirculate air
This "recirculate air" button is designed to cool down your vehicle's interior even when the air con is off.
Rather than drawing in hot air from outside, this button recirculates the air already inside the car.
The button can be useful if you're stuck in traffic behind a car spewing out fumes.
Since it doesn't draw air from outside, you can avoid unpleasant smells, dust and other pollutants.
You also won't overwork your AC to continuously cool down hot air from outside which could save you money.
Health risks
However, the "recirculate air" button is not meant to be used for longer than 20 minutes, according to one study.
Although it helps to save on fuel and cools down your motor faster, it could also cause drowsiness, fatigue and headaches.
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When left turned on for an extended period, the "recirculate air" will increase carbon dioxide levels in your vehicle.
As CO2 from your breath builds up in your car, there will be less oxygen for the air con to circulate.
This could make drivers lose concentration and impair their reaction times.
To maintain CO2 concentrations below 2500 ppm for longer commutes or when driving with several passengers, RC ventilation should be periodically turned off.
Dr Christabel Akinola has warned drivers about the dangers of the button on her Instagram account.
In a post, she wrote: "This is one of the reasons drivers fall asleep and don't know why or how, leading to accidents.
"Please, before you ride in any car and during the trip, make sure you check the dashboard to ensure it's turned off, especially if you have kids."
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