Does idling a car with the AC on consume fuel?
2 Answers
Idling a car with the AC on does consume fuel because the car's air conditioning system is powered by the engine. As long as the engine is running, it will consume fuel. Prolonged idling can lead to increased carbon buildup in the engine, which reduces engine performance and may make the car feel sluggish when driving. Tips for proper AC usage: Turn off the AC when driving at low speeds; avoid smoking inside the car when the AC is on; turn off the engine before switching off the AC. Parking precautions: Before parking, always use the turn signal when transitioning from driving to parking to alert vehicles behind you and reduce the chance of accidents. Leave enough space for vehicles to exit. Park compactly but ensure there is sufficient space in front and behind for other cars to maneuver out of their parking spots. If you are unfamiliar with the terrain, do not act blindly. Instead, stop first and assess the situation to avoid accidents.
I often drive for travel, and it's true from experience that running the air conditioning while parked and waiting does increase fuel consumption. The engine cannot shut off while idling; it needs to keep running to power the air conditioning compressor, which consumes extra fuel. Based on my rough estimate, an average car can burn an additional 0.5 to 1.5 liters of gasoline per hour when idling with the AC on, depending on external temperatures and AC settings—the compressor works harder in extreme summer heat, leading to higher fuel consumption. Consistently doing this not only quietly drains your fuel budget but may also accelerate engine wear or carbon buildup. I recommend drivers avoid prolonged idling with the AC on whenever possible—parking in the shade or occasionally moving the car for ventilation is a more economical and worry-free approach.
