Does Idling with Air Conditioning On Damage the Car?
2 Answers
Idling with the air conditioning on does not damage the car. Here are the details: 1. Idling with air conditioning on: The main concern is the water temperature, especially for older cars with mechanical fans. Mechanical fans are driven by the engine crankshaft. At idle, the crankshaft rotates slower, causing the cooling fan to spin slower as well. Prolonged idling can lead to insufficient engine cooling, resulting in overheating. 2. Impact of idling with air conditioning on: Increased fuel consumption: The engine already consumes fuel while idling, and running the air conditioning requires the engine to power the compressor, which further increases fuel consumption; Battery life: The blower motor is powered by the battery. At idle, the battery's charging efficiency is relatively low. Running the blower motor may cause the battery to discharge, and over time, this can shorten the battery's lifespan.
As a car owner with over a decade of driving experience, I do believe that idling with the air conditioning on can cause some damage to the vehicle. When the engine is idling, the RPM is low, leading to incomplete combustion which easily causes carbon buildup. Over time, this can clog the fuel injectors and intake system. I remember one summer when I was waiting for someone in the car with the AC on for over half an hour, and later I noticed a significant loss of acceleration and increased fuel consumption. Frequent occurrences like this can cause the engine to overheat and wear out, while also putting extra strain on the catalytic converter, affecting exhaust performance. Nowadays, I try to minimize idling time. If it's too hot and I can't wait, I either roll down the windows for ventilation or park in the shade to avoid harming the car. It's best not to exceed 10 to 15 minutes, otherwise, problems can accumulate and increase repair costs. I recommend checking the engine for carbon buildup during regular maintenance to reduce risks.
