Honda Automatic climate control

I just purchased a 2023 Honda Odyssey EX-L with automatic climate control. When I push the "Auto" button, the Recirculation button also comes on. If I push the recirculation button to use fresh air, the "Auto" turns off. It I turn the Recirculation button back on, the "Auto" button turns on. I have had a number of automobiles, including a 2016 Odyssey, and these two buttons have always functioned independently.. The 2023 owner's manual on page 252 says to "Keep the system in the fresh air mode in normal situations." This implies that the Auto and Recirculation systems should be independent. I have not received a clear response from the dealership yet. One technician indicated that he hadn't seen that before, but he did not know. Others say that is what is supposed to happen. Can you clarify for me?

 

Nope. That's the Japanese lawyers ingenuity. It's pretty much forcing you to stay in defogging mode. Same goes for Toyota. Auto works only in ONE mode, period. I had several cars like this. Holy Denso way.

 

A different system from a different time period, but I've seen similar on other vehicles. My 2012 Honda Crosstour will, when in Auto mode, run in recirculate when the temp in the cabin matches or exceeds the outside temp. When the temp drops down (and you can tell because the fan also slows down), the recirculate light on the button eventually goes away.

I suspect when you press the recirculate button and it kicks out of Auto, it is still sort of in Auto, just not in full Auto (where the climate control has full control including the recirculate feature).