Can You Keep the Air Conditioning On While Driving?

[VanSadie]

It is not advisable to keep the air conditioning on continuously while driving. Prolonged use of the car's air conditioning can have several negative effects, including reduced vehicle power, increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning for passengers, higher chances of catching a cold in summer, increased fuel consumption, and more frequent mechanical issues. Here are the details: 1. Reduced Vehicle Power: Since the car's air conditioning system is powered by the engine, prolonged use can drain some of the engine's power, leading to sluggish acceleration or abnormal vibrations while driving. 2. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: If the car's air conditioning is set to recirculate air for an extended period while driving, the oxygen level inside the car can drop, causing symptoms like dizziness and nausea in passengers. In severe cases, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. 3. Increased Fuel Consumption: The air conditioning system consumes part of the engine's power, and prolonged use can also cause the vehicle's electrical system to operate under excessive load, thereby increasing fuel consumption to some extent.