Can the air conditioning be turned on when the car is powered on?
2 Answers
The compressor of the air conditioning system relies on the engine to operate and produce cooling effects. When the car is not started, the air conditioning cannot be used. Below are the relevant details: 1. Car Air Conditioning: The operation of the car air conditioning's cooling compressor depends on the engine's operation, and the energy for heating (hot water) is generated only when the engine is warm. If you turn on the air conditioning when the car is only powered on but not started, it will not produce cooling or heating effects. Instead, it will rapidly drain the car's battery, ultimately harming the battery. 2. Optimal State: Car air conditioning is designed to adjust and control the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow inside the car cabin to the optimal state, providing a comfortable environment for passengers and reducing travel fatigue. It also creates good working conditions for the driver, playing a crucial role in ensuring safe driving. Generally, it includes a cooling device, heating device, and ventilation device. This integrated system makes full use of the limited space inside the car, featuring a simple structure and easy operation, making it a popular modern car air conditioning system internationally.
I've driven for many years and often encountered this situation. When the car is powered on, you can turn on the air conditioning fan, but it only blows air, not actual cold air. This is because the air conditioning cooling requires the compressor to work, and the compressor is driven by the engine. When the car is powered on but not started, there's no power to drive the compressor, so the air is just at room temperature or warm. If you frequently operate it this way, the battery will drain quickly. For example, I once waited for someone in the car with the fan on for 20 minutes and almost couldn't start the engine afterward. Of course, in electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, the air conditioning can directly use the battery for cooling, which is quite convenient. In summary, I recommend only turning on the fan when necessary while the car is powered on, and turning on the air conditioning after starting the engine for better efficiency. This also helps avoid safety hazards caused by a drained battery. Regularly checking the air conditioning filter during maintenance is also crucial.
