I have a 2011 Q7 and the biggest pain in my **** is the recirculate button resets every time the car is turned off. The "automatic" setting apparently doesn't care about pollution so it is worthless to me. If I turn it on I want it to stay on even if I turn the car off and back on. Every car I have ever driven works this way. All the "advanced" gadgetry the MMI has and it can't do this simple thing? Someone please tell me this is fixed for 2012 or 2013.

I'm about ready for an A5, but I don't think I can do it if this is still not fixed. Also, i would like a firmware update to fix it in my Q7. Thanks.

I know this sounds like a small thing, but if you had to endure the arguments over this that I have then you would never own another Audi.

 

All Audi's do this. They do not want constant recirculating air in the vehicle, as during long drives, the cabin air will have less oxygen and cause drowsiness. Second, the HVAC box needs to vent. If it's kept closed with constant moisture, one, it can develop odors, and two, when the car is turn off and back on in a short period of time, heat from the heater core and moisture in the HVAC box will usually create humid air and will fog your windows.

 

And when it fogs up I can run it off. Almost every vehicle works like this for decades. I figured Audi had some "reason" that they thought they were doin something better than everyone else. But it isnt better. Thanks but no thanks. I'll get a CTS-V instead.

 

I think you bought the wrong car.

 

It's mostly done for safety reasons. All Euro cars I've had in recent history have the RECIRC button on a timer or switch back to fresh air intake when the car is switched off. You are not intended to keep that engaged 24/7 for several reasons (nicely outlined by ezdub).

My S-I-L has an Asian car that doesn't switch back to fresh air automatically (weak design) and her car stinks inside, smells like a dirty locker room

 

Huh, how do you not know this. Its not like you can even leave it on recirc. The max time is 5 minutes and it auto switches back!
So either you have been driving around with it off and didnt know it or you have been switching it every 5 mins.
Why not get a new or better grade of cabin filter, its not like you are getting direct air anyway you set it.
If all your other cars do allow it stay on then its probably just heat recirculating but still bringing in outside air as well ... or maybe they just wouldnt exactly float.

 

I agree. Plus, I've never been anywhere where's that much pollution that I need to have recirc on all the time. If that was the case, I would be relocating somewhere else......

 

I could blow holes in all those "reasons" and counter all these other posts. But it'd be a waste of time, and hey if u live in the country and it doesn't get too hot in the summer then Good for you. I appreciate the info about why Audi does it. That is all. Bye.

 

Be my guest and blow holes in all those "reasons". If your looking to rally a sympathy march on your recirc rant, your barking up the wrong tree with a simple "I don't like it, it should be this way" approach.

 

So I googled teh Caddy system... Neat! Does teh Q7 go recirc automatically if you are stuck behind a smelly bus or an older Caddy? Actually yes if you leave it in Auto er or is that if you have Auto.

FROM AUDI.com

Automatic air conditioning

Climate control, optimum air quality and a pleasant temperature in the interior.


With automatic air conditioning, regulation of the interior temperature takes into account the position of the sun. The advantage: the temperature in the vehicle interior always remains at the desired level, especially as the airflow is suitably distributed and adjusted. Other benefits:
•Clean air at all times: an additional air quality sensor detects whether there is a high concentration of pollutants in the outside air. Harmful substances and pollen are also detected. The automatic air conditioning then switches to air recirculation mode and also filters the air.
•Indirect ventilation makes for a pleasant all-round climate.
•Sun sensor control adjusts the climate inside the vehicle according to the solar radiation entering the interior, thus ensuring the right temperature.

Looks like one up for the Audi with its pollen detector it has Auto anti sneeze! hehe.
I presume the "position of teh Sun" system only works in conjunction with the auto dim as it has the compass
OOh ooh, it also recirculats for five seconds every time you hit the washers.
Pretty sure I have had to hit the ricirc button a few times behind polluters including people smoking in the car in front.