Does idling with the air conditioning on affect the car?
2 Answers
Idling with the air conditioning on does affect the car. If the air conditioning is left on after parking, the engine only operates at idle speed, which can lead to incomplete combustion of gasoline. Unburned gasoline produces toxic substances such as carbon monoxide. In such cases, if the car windows and doors are tightly closed for a prolonged period, exhaust gases can enter the enclosed cabin. Hazards of idling: When starting from idle, the fuel cannot fully combust, leading to the production of more harmful gases. It can also cause some gasoline to form gums under high temperature and oxygen, adhering to the internal parts of the engine, and eventually forming carbon deposits under high temperatures.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I can tell you that idling with the AC on does have a significant impact on your car. When the engine runs at idle and also drives the air conditioning compressor, the load increases, leading to noticeably higher fuel consumption; waiting in the car for half an hour in the summer with the AC on can make the fuel gauge drop quickly, which is painful to watch. Prolonged idling like this can cause carbon buildup in the engine due to incomplete combustion, increasing component wear, and the battery will drain faster while the fan works excessively. In terms of emissions, carbon monoxide buildup in enclosed spaces can be dangerous—I remember one close call. It's best to minimize or limit idling with the AC, crack the windows for ventilation, or use the external air circulation mode to protect your car and stay safe. Adding some fuel system cleaner during regular maintenance can help reduce carbon buildup issues.
