Does a car need fuel when idling with the AC on?
2 Answers
A car does need fuel when idling with the AC on. Here are some precautions regarding using car air conditioning: 1. Try to avoid smoking: Many people occasionally smoke to stay alert while using the car air conditioning. However, if you smoke with the AC on, the smoke cannot be promptly vented outside the car, which can harm your eyes and respiratory system. 2. Do not adjust the temperature randomly: To cool down quickly, many people set the car air conditioning to the lowest temperature. While this may feel comfortable, it directly affects the human endocrine system. Prolonged exposure to excessively low temperatures can lead to symptoms like leg soreness and overall chills. It's best to maintain a temperature difference of 5-6℃ from the outside.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I find this question very practical. Of course, idling with the air conditioning on consumes fuel since the engine needs to keep running to power the compressor—just like how people need to eat to have energy to get things done. I've personally experienced this: one summer while waiting for a friend by the roadside with the AC on and the engine idling, the fuel gauge noticeably dropped after just half an hour. Fuel consumption was at least 20% higher than during normal driving. I recommend regularly checking your car's systems, such as whether the AC belt is worn out. Routine maintenance can prevent unnecessary wear and tear. After all, fuel isn't cheap, so it's wise to conserve it in daily use. Prolonged idling with the AC on can also lead to engine overheating issues.
