Do You Need to Turn on the AC in a Car During Winter?
3 Answers
Winter car do not turn on the AC. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. The heating system only utilizes the internal heat circulation of the car and does not require the activation of the air conditioning compressor at all. Therefore, to turn on the heating, you only need to adjust the air conditioning button without turning on the AC switch. 2. The heating comes from the heat generated by the engine during operation: when the engine's cooling system dissipates heat from the engine, the dissipated heat is sent into the car through a fan, forming warm air; when the heating is not in use, the fan stops, and the heating vent closes, causing all the dissipated heat to be released into the atmosphere. Therefore, car heating is a form of waste reuse and does not consume fuel. However, if you press the AC button while turning on the heating, the compressor will work, increasing fuel consumption, which wastes some energy and leads to an increase in the car's fuel consumption and engine burden.
Turning on the AC in winter is indeed necessary, especially when dealing with foggy windows. I commute by car daily, and whenever it's cold outside, the warm breath from passengers quickly fogs up the windshield, making it dangerously difficult to see the road. The AC acts as a dehumidifier in such situations, swiftly removing moisture to clear the fog and significantly improving driving safety. I understand some people worry about fuel consumption, but the risk of accidents from poor visibility outweighs the cost. A practical approach is to run the AC for a few minutes to solve the issue before turning it off. Modern cars even have defogging modes that automatically activate the AC, which is incredibly convenient. Proper humidity control inside the car also ensures comfortable breathing without feeling stuffy. Regular maintenance of the AC system makes winter usage even more reliable.
As a seasoned driver with extensive experience, I know the tricks of using AC in winter. After starting the car, turn up the heater and press the AC button to help defog. Once the windshield is clear, turn it off immediately to save fuel. This method is both economical and ensures safety, working efficiently when fog is heavy. With more passengers in the car, breathing can easily cause fogging, making AC essential for drying the air. I've noticed that AC is particularly helpful in rainy or snowy weather due to high humidity. Checking the compressor during car maintenance can prevent winter surprises. Safety comes first when driving—don’t skip using AC just to save trouble.
