Do You Need to Press AC When Turning on the Car Heater?
3 Answers
You don't need to press AC when turning on the car heater. AC is for activating the air conditioning compressor, meaning that only when this button is pressed will the compressor work, and the air blown out by the blower will be cold. If you turn on the heater and also press AC, it will increase the vehicle's fuel consumption. AUTO is a unique function of automatic car air conditioning, which automatically selects between cold and hot air based on the set interior temperature. However, the AC button exists independently and won't automatically activate when cooling isn't needed. The purpose is to keep the compressor from working when cooling is unnecessary to save fuel.
When using the heater in winter, you generally don't need to press the AC button because the warm air is heated using waste heat from the engine. As an experienced driver who often takes long trips, I mainly use the AC button for cooling in summer. To get warm air, just turn the temperature knob to the high setting, and once the engine warms up, you'll get hot air. However, if the windows fog up or it feels humid inside, briefly turning on the AC can help dehumidify and defrost, improving visibility. But using the AC does slightly increase fuel consumption, so I usually avoid it to save fuel and be more eco-friendly. Safety comes first when driving, so maintaining good ventilation inside the car is key. Setting the heater too hot might make you drowsy, so it's best to keep it at a comfortable temperature to stay focused while driving.
As a new driver who just got my license, it took me some time to figure this out. Turning on the car heater is actually simple - just don't press the AC button, as AC is specifically designed for cooling. The heater directly draws warm air from the engine, and all you need to do is turn the temperature control knob. You might need to use AC for dehumidification sometimes, like when windows get foggy on rainy days - turning it on will clear things up. But most of the time there's no need to press it, as using AC consumes more fuel and affects your wallet. My suggestion is to adjust the temperature first after getting in the car, then turn on some fresh air circulation to avoid stuffiness. Take time to familiarize yourself with your car's manual - while each model has different designs, the principles remain the same. Don't overcomplicate it.
