Does idling with the air conditioning on consume fuel?
2 Answers
Idling with the air conditioning on does consume fuel, typically around 2L/h. Below is relevant information about idling: Generates a large amount of carbon monoxide: When the car is idling, incomplete combustion of fuel produces a significant amount of carbon monoxide. The longer the idling time, the higher the concentration of carbon monoxide around the vehicle. Prolonged idling in one place can lead to extremely high levels of carbon monoxide inside the car, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and death if someone is inside, leading to safety incidents. Causes engine carbon buildup: Due to incomplete fuel combustion during idling, it can lead to carbon buildup in the engine. Severe carbon buildup in the engine can affect the car's normal startup, reduce engine power, increase fuel consumption, and result in excessive exhaust emissions, among other issues.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, let me share some firsthand knowledge: Leaving the engine running with AC on while parked definitely consumes more fuel, even more than normal driving. The reason is simple - although the engine runs at low RPM during idling, it still needs to keep operating to power the AC compressor, which burns extra gasoline. I've calculated that during hot summer days, running AC while parked for one hour can consume about 0.5 to 1 liter of fuel, equivalent to an extra 10 yuan in fuel costs. Prolonged idling also tends to cause engine carbon buildup and increases wear. My suggestion is to turn off the AC and open windows when waiting for more than five minutes, or use the auto start-stop function. By the way, regular fuel system cleaning can also help reduce such issues. In short, saving fuel and peace of mind starts with me! Remember to follow my account for more practical car tips.
