Does Air Conditioner Water Dripping on a Car Cause Damage?

[Helen]

Air conditioner water dripping on a car does not cause damage. The water from air conditioner drips is mainly condensed water vapor from the air, also known as condensate. Its chemical properties, such as pH level, are the same as the ambient air and are not corrosive, so it will not harm the car's body or interior. The temperature of the outdoor unit's heat exchanger in an air conditioner is generally below 0 degrees Celsius, causing water vapor in the air to condense on the heat exchanger. Over time, this can lead to the formation of ice on the heat exchanger, prompting the air conditioner to automatically activate its defrost function, which melts the ice into dripping water. If a car is parked directly beneath an air conditioner's outdoor unit, it may be exposed to dripping water. While this water does not cause damage to the car, prolonged exposure can leave stains once the water dries. In such cases, the stains can be cleaned by wiping with a wet towel and toothpaste. Normally, air conditioners not only produce water leakage from the outdoor unit during heating but also generate condensate from the indoor unit's evaporator during cooling. This condensate flows out through a drainage pipe and, similar to the condensate from the outdoor unit, does not harm the car's glass or paint.