Do you need to press the AC button when turning on the air conditioner in summer?
3 Answers
In summer, turning on the AC switch is necessary to activate the car's cooling system; otherwise, only the blower will be working, delivering air at normal temperature. More information about car air conditioning is as follows: 1. When the AC button is pressed, the temperature control should be adjusted to the blue position. For automatic air conditioning, you can set a temperature and then press the AUTO button, allowing the system to automatically adjust the interior temperature. 2. The car air conditioning AC is the compressor's switch. The car air conditioning system includes not only the compressor but also components such as the condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve. The compressor is one of the most critical components of the refrigeration system, responsible for compressing and transporting refrigerant vapor.
Whether to press the AC button when using air conditioning in summer depends on the car model. I own an older car with manual air conditioning. Every summer before heading out, I start the engine, turn on the fan to adjust the airflow speed, and then must press the AC button to activate the compressor and blow cold air for cooling. Without pressing it, the fan only blows natural or warm air, which can't cool the car at all—even rolling down the windows isn't enough on hot days. Later, when I switched to my wife's car with automatic air conditioning, I just press the AUTO button after starting and set a temperature, like 23°C. The system then monitors the cabin temperature and intelligently decides whether to activate the compressor, eliminating the need to manually press the AC button. Incorrect operation may cause the fan to malfunction, increase fuel consumption, or render cooling ineffective. Based on experience, manual air conditioning requires pressing the AC button for cooling, while automatic systems handle it via settings. Since summer air conditioning is used frequently, I clean the filter monthly to prevent odors and maintain health.
As someone who knows a bit about cars, let me explain the purpose of the AC button. It controls the activation of the compressor in the car's air conditioning system. The compressor is the core component for cooling, so in summer, turning on the AC is essential to lower the temperature. In manual systems, you must press the AC button to produce cold air. If you don't press it, the fan only blows warm air from the engine, causing the cabin temperature to rise rapidly without any cooling effect. Automatic air conditioning is different—once you set the AUTO mode or target temperature, the temperature sensor triggers the system to automatically activate the compressor and adjust the airflow. A common misconception is thinking that simply turning on the air conditioning switch is enough, but the fan and AC button functions are separate. If the AC button fails, it may cause the compressor to stop working, often due to a blown fuse or aging wiring. For maintenance, it's advisable to check the refrigerant level before summer to avoid discomfort on the road.
