Does Car Air Conditioning Drip Water?
2 Answers
It is normal for a car to drip water when the air conditioning is on. Reasons: The car's air conditioning system has a component called an evaporator installed inside the dashboard. When the air conditioning is turned on, the surface temperature of the evaporator becomes very low. The moisture in the hot air inside the car condenses on the heat-absorbing fins of the evaporator. The water droplets are collected by the plastic housing of the evaporator and discharged outside the car through a pipe, which is why water drips. Precautions: If the air conditioning is too cold, moisture in the air may condense on the outside of the vents, creating a phenomenon where white mist appears. Moisture in the air may also condense on the plastic housing of the evaporator or the surface of the plastic pipes that deliver cold air, resulting in dripping water. Additionally, this can happen if the air humidity inside the car is too high.
When it comes to car air conditioning dripping, I've been driving for over ten years and often encounter similar situations. As soon as summer arrives, especially after running the AC for half an hour, water starts dripping under the car—it sounds quite annoying, but it's actually completely normal. This happens because the air conditioner draws moisture from inside the car and expels it outside through a small tube, much like how a refrigerator drips water at the bottom. When parked in the sun, this water usually dries up quickly, so it's no big deal. However, if the dripping is excessive or there's no water flow at all, it might indicate a clogged tube or a faulty component, and you should have it checked at a repair shop. In general, dripping means the air conditioner is working properly—no need to worry. Just keep up with regular maintenance to prevent issues, since keeping the cabin air dry and comfortable is quite pleasant.
