Does idling with the air conditioning on consume fuel?
2 Answers
Idling with the air conditioning on does consume fuel. Below are relevant details about idling with the AC on: 1. High fuel consumption: Idling with the air conditioning on results in relatively high fuel consumption, typically around 2L per hour. Therefore, prolonged idling with the AC on will burn a significant amount of fuel. If the vehicle is low on fuel, it may continue burning until the engine stalls. 2. Safety hazards: During idling, incomplete fuel combustion produces large amounts of carbon monoxide. The longer the idling duration, the higher the concentration of carbon monoxide around the vehicle. Extended idling can lead to dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide inside the car, potentially causing carbon monoxide poisoning or even death if occupants are present, thereby creating safety risks. 3. Environmental pollution: Incomplete fuel combustion during idling can cause engine carbon buildup. Severe carbon buildup affects normal engine startup, reduces engine power, increases fuel consumption, and leads to excessive exhaust emissions. Prolonged idling emits large quantities of exhaust gases, exceeding PM2.5 standards, polluting the air and causing significant environmental damage.
Keeping the engine running with the air conditioning on while parked does indeed consume more fuel, something I've deeply experienced after driving for over a decade. When the engine is idling, turning on the air conditioning adds extra load to the system. The air conditioning requires the engine to power the compressor, which burns more fuel. When waiting by the roadside with the AC on, the fuel gauge drops noticeably faster—it can burn about 0.5 liters more per hour, costing a few extra dollars. Doing this long-term not only wastes money but may also cause carbon buildup, leading to engine issues. My advice is to turn off the engine and open the windows for short stops—it saves fuel and extends the vehicle's lifespan.
