Fan continues to run even at the 0 Setting (off position)?

[TheAnswer_03]

I just recently noticed that the car fan is running even with the switch at the 0 position. Is this normal? It's running very low but I can still feel the air when I place my hand near the vents regardless if the car is moving or idle.

I had the switch at the leftmost position (arrow pointing at the head picture). When I put the switch 1 click to the left of the 12 o'clock position (between leg and head + leg pic) it seems to stop.

[Booter22]

yes this is normal, the air circulates with the fan off very very low through the vent selected, why.. no idea. i know my old focus didnt do that but all of the 3s i have noticed do this more or less.

[terapr0]

I notice the same thing on my 2011 sport....theres always a bit of air coming out, even when set to 0. It's actually not even so much air coming out as I can feel the ambient hot / cold of whats selected. When its set to warm at "0" the vents are hot, and when its set to cold, they're cold as well.

havent experienced this on any other car I;ve driven....dunno if its just a mazda quirk.

[Cab0oze]

I've noticed this in every car I can remember driving. I always just assumed that it was forced air or pressure differentials, but I'm not really familiar with how the system works/if this is even possible.

Honestly I dunno where there air is even taken from. If somebody knows, i'd be interested in the explanation. Where does the air come from when you put it in recirc?

[Freakzaz]

I've noticed this happens in other cars too. Doesn't it just allow for some circulation of air throughout the cabin? And the reason for when you chose that mentioned setting and it seems to stop is because the air coming in is directed with a bias to the legs. You should still feel air coming out through the leg vents.

[silverstarmazda]

maybe its to keep people from suffocating inside... any chance the fan is still barley running even at 0?

[XTOTHEL]

I noticed that too, and thought it was normal. It seems to have to do with the speed you're driving at. Try doing 140 on the 401 with it set to 0, almost feels like it's at 1 or 2 lol.

[e_biz80]

Try opening a window or the sunroof. You'll feel even more air coming out through the vents.

[klspeed3]

it seems to be normal, for mazdas at least. if you turn everything off and turn on recirc, the flow of air through the vents will stop. I usually leave recirc on, and it will stay on even when you turn the fan/AC off.

[Cab0oze]

Try opening a window or the sunroof. You'll feel even more air coming out through the vents.

Ooh yea, thats what I forgot to mention (which led me to believe it was because of natural causes) - there isn't a shutoff valve, there is just no more fan movement which means that opening a window or the sunroof will increase the pressure differential and suck air through the vents.

[krimsalt]

It's because when the car is in motion, air pressure is still coming through the car and out through the vents, just without help from the ventilation.

[greaves82]

long story short....yes its normal

[cwp_sedan]

100% normal

[seek]

isn't thats the wind from outside of the car? i notice mine acts the same, i never really pay attention though