New LE: 2 questions

[esto70]

I just traded my 2010 sr5 for a brand new 2013 silver LE. While driving home from the dealer this evening, I was playing with all the knobs and gadgets to make sure that everything is in working order.

I have 2 possible issues that I'm hoping someone here can help me with:

1. The climate control recirculate light was constantly lit up the entire drive home (about 45 minutes). It was roughly 75 degrees outside (and VERY humid) here in Ohio. I had the auto temp set at 72 degrees. The AC system seemed to be really rocking, but recirculate stayed on the entire time. Yes, I am sure I was in auto mode. I even tried turning the auto temp up to 78-80 degrees to see if recirculate would go off. Nope. It stayed on unless I manually switched it off. Is this normal? A problem?

2. I turned the heated seats on (both driver side and passenger). Neither seat seemed to get very warm, if at all. Is there something I'm missing? A safety feature that keeps the heated seats off if the outside temp is above a certain level?

Otherwise, I love the new LE. She's a beauty!

Thanks!

 

[Newf4R]

1. In an SR5, not an LE, but all my most recent vehicles turn on recirculate when I flick on the A/C as far as I can remember. I think on my SR5 I have to turn the temp all the way left to Max A/C before the recirculate turns on by itself. Makes sense that you would get better A/C if you recirculate the cool air inside rather than keep bringing in the hot air.

2. My heated seats go on no matter how hot it is outside.... I learned the hard way after sweating through my shirt before looking down at that little orange light turned on.

 

[h1p]

1. I believe that's normal, I've noticed it in my 2011 LE as well. When in auto mode it will toggle between recirculate and fresh air depending on the outside humidity. Part of "air conditioning" is to remove humidity. I suspect the auto mode has a preset humidity level and it adjusts between recirculate and fresh air depending on the relative humidity inside the vehicle. This would serve two purposes: a comfortable relative humidity level is 40-60%; you could have it set to 65 degrees but if it's humid you'll still feel uncomfortable. Secondly, it's easier for the air conditioner to work if it's on recirculate, particularly on very hot and/or humid days.

2. My seat heaters come on regardless of temperature. If it's already warm out, chances are you won't notice the seat heaters unless they're cranked up all the way. I've driven with them on during hot days and didn't notice, but I know they work on cold days. They're also not very linear in terms of temperature. The lowest temp setting is almost imperceptible, and the highest setting is scorching.