Mildew Dirty Socks smell from vents

No, it has to do with recirculating air being a default

 

I took mine to the dealer for this issue.
He sprayed Ozium into the air intake vents (under the hood with recirculate ON).
Let it circulate for a while.
I try to turn recirculate off when I am a mile or so from the house. Issue is mostly gone.

 

Thanks Mike, I'm going to bring this into the dealer with the growing list of other issues that have popped up

 

On my '10, if I want it to recirculate I have to press the button every time. When I turn the AC on it defaults to the outside air setting to prevent mildew and mold buildup, and if I change it to recirc it resets to the default after a while, or whenever I shut the truck off and start it again. Did they change it on the newer models?

 

It defaults to recirculate now on 2016s. On my old ranger it would only switch to recirculate when I put it on MAX AC.

 

Then I agree, it's a bad design.

 

I only shut the vent if it stinks outside and then open it back up asap. Never get that smell...

 

How often do you use A/C and do you have the climate control system (tech package)? I'm guessing more 3rd genners are going to experience this issue as they use their A/C in the warmer months ahead. We have a head start on most of the country, here in AZ. I've been using A/C now for a good portion of the 10k+ miles on my truck since taking delivery. The vents will default close when you turn on the Auto A/C function. Climate control system with tech package may have something to do with this too so 3rd gen drivers with more basic packages might not run into the problem.

 

The other thing I don't care for on this climate control system is that it defaults to A/C ON if you hit Auto rather than adjusting based on temperature. If it's 57 degrees outside at night, I turn the thermostat setting to 75 degrees, it shouldn't turn on the A/C in my mind. I want the heater to run without A/C. Never fails, you hit Auto, it turns on the A/C and closes the vents to recirculate causing moisture build up and mildew if you do not consciously pay attention to open the vents.

 

I'm in NorCal, so I've used it a bit already. I have the tech pkg and same deal. I hate that it closes the vents automatically and I click em open right away. I haven't been using the auto mode yet but I agree, it should only kick on AC when needed. Noticed it when playing around and was mildly annoyed. Not a big deal as long as you're paying attention...

 

Either let it blow for a few with AC off or it sound like you will drive around in a truck that smells like shit.

 

There are settings in Techstream (if you have it) or by the dealer if not for AC and vent vs. recirc. See first page:

 

The AC part of that is straight forward, I have the BT module, but I don't think the vent vs recirc will do anything for auto mode the way it reads.

 

I re-read the setting on fresh air and believe you are correct. So, the only somewhat useful setting is AC compressor on or off by default when pressing AUTO. in Texas, the default of ON is normally preferred .

 

Mine only defaults to recirculate when on Max AC..

 

I don't see a max AC

 

Cabin Air Filter is the Culprit. Mine was filled with dead small tree flowers from my truck parking in some tree shade. Took me 10 min. to take it out, rinse it with water, thing is weak, used the wife's blow drier, sprayed sum Fabreeze, installed. Now my truck smells like a fruity meadow. Kinda miss the sock smell.

 

Oh I don't have the dual climate. On mine, if you turn to cold all the way, there's one last "click" left, and it turns on AC and Recirc.

 

Another case of simple is probably better

 

It's not poor design. This is common in many car manufacturers as others have mentioned... if you use your A/C, before you get to your destination you have to remember to take it off of recirculation. It's true in BMW, Subaru, and Toyotas I've driven. Now it might be annoying that Toyota defaults to having it recirculate instead of using outside air. So either deal with the smell or open the vents...doesn't matter if you are cold or hot climate. If you use AC often, moisture will build up.

Also recirculate option by default is the manufacturer claiming their vehicles are more efficient. If you use hot outside air it's going to take more energy to cool the cabin than using recirculate that uses the air in the cabin to make it cooler.