Timed Air Recirculation?

Hey guys, I don't have a picture of it but every truck has one. It's the air recirculation button opposite the A/C button on the dash. Shows the vehicle outline with a circulating arrow inside the outline. It's to switch to air recirculation inside the cabin, you all know this.

Here's my question: Is this a timed process? I live in East TN, and just like most places in the south we have LOTS of skunks getting hit on back roads so some of the roads I drive I automatically hit that button to reduce the amount of smell sucked into the cabin. Now with my older truck and other vehicles they have never been controlled by buttons, but switches/levers. I've noticed on my 2010 Tacoma that after 3-4 minutes the air recirc button turns off. The light on the button just goes off by itself.

Is this normal? Does anyone else have this experience or should it stay on until I turn it off? Do I need to get it looked at? I don't switch or touch anything else on the A/C or heater dash because I know it switches off when changing from regular blowing to defrosting/window blowing and vice-verse. Just curious, thanks guys.

 

I would say it's probably normal, but somebody with a newer taco can chime in to see if theirs is the same.

Seems like lots of newer cars now have the recirc on a timer from like 5-15 mins.

 

Yes it's normal. It has been discussed on here before. I think if you hold it down it will override the timer but not sure.

 

press once, a/c may decide to auto switch back depending on outside temp

press and hold 2 sec, it stays on recirc

 

Glad I found this thread! I have noticed this happening a lot recently on my 2012 but never noticed it happen on my 2008... Interesting.