I suspect this might be a feature, not a bug, but I can't find mention of it elsewhere (manual or the forums - I have tried). There appears to be some inconsistency with the climate controls for the external/internal recirculation ventilation in my 2009 HHR. It will not allow me to use the Inside (recirculation) position when the Air delivery control is in any position other than Face or Face/floor. Is this normal behaviour? Now the temperature has dropped below freezing, in particular I'd like to use the floor heating only with recirculation. It makes sense that the window defrost options force "outside air" as colder external air will defog faster, but it doesn't make sense that the floor heat only wont.

Hope this makes sense.

 

I agree, that doesn't make sense. I rarely use recirc, so I had to go check to see on my vehicle. I got the same results. A possible workaround would be to select face/floor and shut the face vents.

 

Normal, recirculate is only when the air conditioning is on.

 

It is in the Owners Manual!. And discussed here by every new owner that did not get an Owners Manual.

 

I run mine in recirculating but it only works in face and foot or face level vents, it works nicely.
When I use the air it also works great

 

In my defense, I did check the owners manual. But I missed it. Here it is - Page 3-23 , second column.
"Recirculation is not available in floor, defog and defrost
modes. If the recirculation button is pressed, the indicator
light flashes five times and outside air will be delivered."
(2009 manual)

I assume its operation is hidden in a piece of firmware "somewhere".

 

Also be aware that the A/C light does NOT light up when you turn to defrost or switch to recirc, BUT A/C is automatically turned on. This is the reason that you get worse MPG in the winter.

 

Its a very common set up in many cars.

 

I use recirc when it comes out the dash vents to move more heat in the car. It blows out stronger then in vent position and it feels much hotter for the same heat selection.
In my manual for a 2010, pages 4-18,19 and 20, it shows the re-circulation position on the dial but doesn't say anything about it in the text other than when the AC is being used.
Defog and defrost say that the AC is turned on with these functions.
I'm going to look and see if the AC compressor is on when using it in heat mode.

 

I was typing without thinking when I indicated that the A/C would come on in recirc. That is incorrect.