Do You Need to Press AC When Turning on the Air Conditioner in Winter?
2 Answers
You do not need to press the AC button when turning on the air conditioner in winter. The AC button controls the car's air conditioning compressor, which is only necessary when cooling in the summer. Pressing the AC button activates the compressor to provide cooling. Warm air, on the other hand, utilizes the car's internal heat circulation principle and does not require the air conditioning compressor. The heating system uses the heat generated by the engine to warm the air. After the engine's cooling system dissipates heat, a fan directs this heat into the car's cabin to produce warm air. Even if the heating is not turned on, the heat generated by the engine's operation is expelled outside the car. Car heating is a form of waste heat recycling. Using the heating system in winter does not affect the car's performance or increase fuel consumption.
I'm a car air conditioning system enthusiast and often ponder about using the AC button in winter. The AC isn't just designed for cooling; it controls the compressor's switch, and its core function in winter is dehumidification and anti-fogging. Due to the significant temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car, moisture tends to condense on the windows, causing fogging. Pressing the AC while heating activates the compressor to dehumidify, quickly restoring visibility. I've noticed many car owners mistakenly believe that only hot air is needed in winter, but once fogging occurs, turning off the AC makes it harder to handle and can delay resolution. Long-term experience has taught me that developing the habit of pressing the AC before fogging occurs or when the automatic air conditioning activates can enhance driving safety and system longevity. I've also observed that modern cars' air conditioning logic has been optimized, with minimal impact on fuel consumption when the AC is on, making it reliable and worry-free to use.
