Because the truck is now smarter than the driver

You probably don't need to babysit and micromanage this. Turn temp up or down to your comfort, done.

 

The OP concern is air pollution not temperature.

 

True. An typical occurrence for most people hopefully, an outlier if you will...and don't worry, those diesels and vehicles without regular inspections for intact emissions will be a thing of the past before you know it, especially with the coal rollers driving us ever faster towards the end of allowing passenger vehicles on the road in that condition

 

This is a Ford feature to control fog in the vehicle, called ENHANCED VEHICLE WINDOW ANTI-FOG STRATEGY. It uses a humidity sensor in the vehicle to turn recirc on and off. As of right now it cannot be disengaged, however Ford apparently is aware of how annoying it is and may be making changes to the system through a Fordpass update (according to a note the Ford tech saw on the system from Ford). I am betting that sensor could be easily bypassed though, just need to know where it is at. I should note this applies to anyone with DUAL Air control. My nephew has a bas model 2021 and does not have this issue.

 

While there are some good suggestions why... I can tell you that they default open to prevent the water in the air from getting trapped in the core and causing mildew.

 

I do not have dual air control and I have the issue as well in my 2021 XL

 

I forget until skunk fills the cabin. Then there's smoke and diesel exhaust. It's funny how it turns off just in time to catch the skunk funk.

 

I don't think you are going to keep skunk smell out anyway. If you want to try the best thing would be to quickly reach down and shut the system off. That would at least slow the fan down so not as much gets sucked in.

Funny story,,, I had a 1970 Ford Maverick once that was so rusted out I had to lay plywood on the floors to keep your feet from falling though. I hit a skunk with that car one time and HOLY MIGHTY did that smell bad. I turned on the dome light and looked around just to make sure that it hadn't gotten thrown up into the cab with me.

 

LMAO. That’s brilliant!

 

I just purchased a Bosch HEPA cabin air filter. It won't help with skunks, but it should work pretty well for wood smoke and diesel fumes. We shall see, and also if it restricts airflow too much.