recirc defaults to outside air

[cbreze]

I recall when I first got my 4R that the air system would default back to outside flow from recirc after a few minutes. I figured this was Toyota's way of keeping the air from getting stale. I thought this to be annoying so I checked my manual for knowledge and found no mention of any option. I searched this forum and learned that by holding down the recirc button for five seconds it would stay on and not default back. I further noticed that it would stay set to recirc even when I shut the vehicle down and restarted. Great I thought, problem solved as it worked this way for several months. Now suddenly it no longer stays set when I shut the truck off. Am I missing something? Could I have done something to make this stop working by maybe adjusting something else differently? I'm lost for an explanation. I've tried holding the recirc button down longer but nothing. Its amazing how seemingly something so simple can be annoying. I can push and hold for the 5 required seconds, I just always forget and usually what reminds me is the smell of diesel fumes entering the cab from some truck going by. Anyone know anything about this issue? TIA

 

[Socco]

I never really noticed. I know Mercedes defaults to outside air as a way to help keep the driver awake. I'm afraid with new vehicles without manual climate controls, this will be a common situation.

 

[buchaja]

Interesting. I noticed in my runner that the recycle setting stays on. I don't do anything special, i.e. holding the button down.

In my 2003 Avalon, it does reset to outside air and I always found it annoying. I assumed the 4runner was designed differently because off-roading can be in dusty environments.

2012 TE for reference.

 

[Vtwinracersp2]

other threads about this but it turns on when it's 50F and below.

if you press for like 3 seconds, it stays closed (but resets when you restart)

wish there was a way to permanently to turn it off.

 

[cbreze]

That's weird that yours doesn't do this. I should mention that my air system is not the auto type. Perhaps the automatic air systems are different in that regard, I don't know. Ive owned Toyotas since 1974 and this is the first one I've noticed that operates this way. As I said tho, I don't mind it, just wish the option to disabled it was still there.
Now that I think of it, I did have the dealer kill the seat belt chime using the tech stream. I wonder if this happened at that time. Maybe connected somehow.

other threads about this but it turns on when it's 50F and below.

if you press for like 3 seconds, it stays closed (but resets when you restart)

wish there was a way to permanently to turn it off.

This is the way mine used to work for months. Permanently off once pressed for the 5 sec.