Does idling with the AC on in summer damage the car?
2 Answers
Idling with the AC on in summer can damage the car. When the car's engine is running, if the gasoline in the cylinders does not burn completely, it can produce high concentrations of carbon monoxide. While driving, the air creates convection through the AC system, keeping the carbon monoxide concentration inside the car very low. The hazards of idling with the AC on are as follows: Introduction 1: Idling with the AC on can cause some damage to the car and wear on the engine, potentially requiring shorter maintenance intervals. If the engine speed is too low to power the AC, incomplete combustion can easily lead to carbon deposits. Introduction 2: Idling with the AC on while parked can cause poor system cooling, which may lead to overheating of the engine coolant. Overheating can easily damage the engine.
Let me share some thoughts on running the AC while idling in summer. As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I think short durations are fine, but prolonged periods can cause serious trouble. The engine already runs inefficiently at idle, and turning on the AC compressor puts extra strain on it, making overheating likely. Last summer, I waited half an hour for my kid after school with the AC on – the car got cool, but the coolant temperature warning light came on. The battery also drains quickly, especially in older cars, which might not start the next day. I’d recommend keeping it under 10 minutes. If it’s unbearably hot, turning off the engine and opening windows for ventilation is safer. Regularly checking coolant levels and the cooling fan is also crucial to prevent engine damage.
