Do You Need AC for Car Air Conditioning in Winter?
4 Answers
You don't need to turn on the AC for car air conditioning in winter because what you need is warm air, or heated air. More information about cars is as follows: 1. The warm air is generated by converting the heat from the engine's antifreeze; 2. AC is the air conditioning cooling button. Pressing this button will start the air conditioning compressor, and on some models, the indicator light on the button will illuminate, while others may display a prompt on the central control screen. If you turn off this switch, the car air conditioning can only blow natural air or warm air. During the use of air conditioning in winter, because most vehicles now use automatic air conditioning, you may find that the AC function is automatically turned on after starting the air conditioning. The reason for this situation is: if the driver sets the air outlet direction to the front windshield, the defrosting function will be activated, and the automatic air conditioning system will automatically turn on the AC switch. This is normal because the design is intended to use cold air for the fastest defogging effect.
In winter, many drivers wonder whether to use the AC button in their car. As a seasoned commuter driver, I believe that in most cases, there's no need to touch the AC button when using the heater in winter, because the warmth comes directly from the engine's heat. Turning on the AC would just waste fuel unnecessarily. However, when the windows fog up, it becomes a serious issue: the fog can obstruct your view and lead to accidents. That's when the AC comes in handy—it quickly dehumidifies the air, clearing the fog within minutes. Once, on a rainy highway, I forgot to turn it on and almost rear-ended another car, which scared me badly. Now, I always turn on the AC when it's foggy. My advice is to switch to AUTO mode after starting the car; the system will automatically decide whether to use the AC. Alternatively, manually press the defrost button, which usually activates the compressor. When there's no fog, turn it off to save fuel and be more eco-friendly.
As a fuel-conscious regular car owner, I rarely turn on the AC button in winter since it increases engine fuel consumption, essentially burning money for nothing. However, sometimes the windows fog up severely, creating dangerous visibility issues, making it unavoidable to use the AC. In such cases, turning on the AC quickly dehumidifies and clears the fog, saving you the hassle of manual wiping. Here's a practical approach: set the temperature higher, turn up the heater, and only use the AC briefly when the fog is heavy—turning it off once the fog clears. This balances safety and cost savings. Additionally, regularly check the cabin air filter to prevent system blockages that reduce efficiency and increase fuel consumption. After forming these habits, I’ve significantly reduced winter fuel expenses without compromising driving comfort.
When it comes to using car air conditioning in winter, I often discuss this topic with friends. Pressing the AC button is actually quite useful, especially for defogging: when fog appears, turning it on makes the air feel drier, and the fog clears up quickly. However, there's usually no need to turn on the AC when using the heater, unless you find the air too humid and uncomfortable. I've noticed that many people don't understand the function of the AC and mistakenly think it can't be used in winter. In reality, the compressor is just an auxiliary tool for dehumidification. Once you get used to it, it's effortless—just press a button when the fog is heavy, and the problem is solved.
