Do You Need to Ignite the Engine to Turn on the Air Conditioning?
2 Answers
You need to ignite the engine to turn on the air conditioning. Principle of Car Air Conditioning: The air conditioning relies on the rotation of the compressor to cool, and the compressor's rotation is driven by the engine. Therefore, cold air is only produced when the engine is running after ignition. The vehicle air conditioning system, abbreviated as vehicle AC, is used to regulate and adjust the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow inside the vehicle cabin to optimal conditions, providing passengers with a comfortable riding environment and reducing travel fatigue. Air Conditioning Maintenance: Before driving in summer, ventilate to cool down the car first, then switch to the internal circulation. Avoid using the internal circulation for extended periods. Develop a good habit of turning off the air conditioning before shutting off the engine when parking.
I've noticed that turning on the air conditioning while driving usually requires starting the engine, as the AC compressor is powered by the engine. From my years of driving experience, if you don't start the engine and only press the fan button, you'll get airflow but no cool air; to get cooling, the engine needs to be running to drive the compressor. In summer, I usually start the engine and wait a few minutes for it to warm up before turning on the AC, which cools the car faster and is more fuel-efficient. Some people think they can use the AC in the ACCESSORY position, but that only powers the fan—the cooling system won't activate. Doing this long-term can drain the battery, making it hard to start the car, so be careful. Newer models like hybrids might work slightly differently, but traditional gasoline-powered cars generally follow this principle. Safe driving habits are important.
