Can I drive in summer without turning on the AC in the car?
4 Answers
Driving in summer without turning on the AC in the car is not advisable. The cooling function of the car air conditioning will not activate unless the AC button is pressed. Working Principle: When the AC button is pressed for cooling, the compressor clutch engages, and the engine drives the compressor to operate. The compressor then continuously compresses the refrigerant and delivers it to the evaporator. Purpose of Air Conditioning: Car air conditioning is used to regulate and control the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow inside the vehicle cabin to a comfortable level. It provides a pleasant environment for passengers, reduces travel fatigue, creates favorable working conditions for the driver, and plays a crucial role in ensuring safe driving.
In summer, driving with the AC off provides very limited cooling effect. I always turn on the AC when using the air conditioning because the AC button controls the compressor switch. Only when it's turned on does the refrigerant circulate, allowing the air to cool down. If you only turn on the fan without the AC, it blows natural air or hot air from outside, which not only fails to cool but also makes the cabin feel stuffier and hotter. Especially on extremely hot days, the temperature inside the car rises quickly, and the humidity is high. Without the compressor running, dehumidification is impossible, making passengers prone to sweating and dizziness. I’ve tried driving without the AC and just opening the windows during traffic jams, but hot air rushed into the car, making it even more uncomfortable. Therefore, I strongly recommend turning on the AC when it's hot, combined with the recirculation mode, to effectively cool down the interior.
I've been driving for over a decade, and every summer during long-distance drives, I must turn on the AC. Simply running the fan without engaging the compressor can't lower the temperature at all, especially on highways where not using the AC means blowing in scorching hot air. Summer humidity is high, causing the car interior to fog up easily. Only when the AC is activated can it effectively dehumidify and improve visibility. Occasionally, when the AC breaks down, I have to endure the heat with the windows down, sweating profusely after just a short while. Remember to check the compressor's working condition during maintenance to ensure it can cool promptly. Don't skip using the AC just to save a bit of fuel—comfort is more important than fuel economy.
As a parent who often drives to pick up kids, not using the AC in summer is simply not an option. The car can heat up to 40-50 degrees Celsius after just a few minutes parked in the sun, with hot air rushing out when you open the door. If you only use the fan without AC, the car cools down slowly and ineffectively, leaving kids in the back seat sweating profusely and extremely uncomfortable. Not using the compressor means no cooling and makes the air damp and stuffy, increasing the likelihood of motion sickness. I once tried not using AC on a short trip and arrived at my destination with completely soaked clothes. I recommend setting the temperature not too low, around 23 degrees is comfortable and doesn't consume too much electricity.
