The recirculated air button is always off when the car is started ( I can't remember if it should stay in the same position as it is (on/off) when the ignition is turned off). After turning the recirculated air back on when the car is started, it turns itself off again after a period of time, 1min to 5mins or more. Air-con is working fine in fresh/recirculated and heat/cooling modes. Any suggestions as to why it is happening and a possible solution would be appreciated. Tink

 

See handbook I think.

Short press - short recirc. Long press (2 beeps) - recirc stays on.

 

Cheers for that, I will re-read the handbook tomorrow.

 

The "Safety Default" is generally to Fresh Air/Defrost/Hot. So when you turn the car off, thus securing power to the HVAC, the Fresh/Recirc door will move to fresh, distribution flaps to "Defrost" and Temperature mixing flaps to full-hot. The DCCV unpowered state is also to "Hot."

Another general rule is to limit Recirc flap setting to a particular amount of time to limit the amount of humidity in the cabin. I know...seems outdated in an era of nearly 100% a/c fitment...but there is also the "stale air" thing....put a collection of 2-3 humans in a closed space and you soon get "stale air" particularly after a lunch of "Beans-n-brew!"

As JagV8 opined, I believe there are measures you can take to extend the recirc time; you can also punch the button again every time the recirc light extinguishes.
Or...you could fix the oil leak...

 

Your car is working as designed. The time is recirc. mode is limited to avoid condensation build up.

Why would you want to defeat/override this?

 

Permanent recirc seems not to cause issues. I use it all the time and have for 7 years... (helps avoid the horrible diesel pollution over here)

No condensation problems.

 

We have problems here with windows fogging over but that's in temps well below zero.

 

A couple of responses to the latest posts, I am usually the only person in my 'toy' so stale air/condensation is not an issue. Recirculated is best for cooling efficiency here in Western Australia as the summer days can be very hot. Thanks guys.

 

The recirc system will automatically stay on until the car cools to a reasonable temp, then turn itself on and off as required. I've noticed very little efficiency improvement by overriding it during our increasingly frequent spells of 35* temps in the summer.

 

Thankyou guys, problem solved. JagV8 hint of a longer push on the button to get two beeps has solved this for me. Maybe I'll have to re-read the manual again one day!! :-)