Does idling with the air conditioning on for 1 hour damage the car?
2 Answers
In theory, the biggest impact of idling with the air conditioning on is fuel consumption. When the car is moving, the power consumed by the air conditioning only accounts for a small portion of the engine's idle energy. However, when idling with the air conditioning on, the engine not only drives the air conditioning compressor but also maintains the normal operation of the power steering and brake booster pumps, which are completely unnecessary when the car is parked, thus wasting power. Here are some additional details: 1. Increased carbon deposits: The car's air conditioning compressor is driven by the engine. When the car is idling, the engine speed is relatively low, and the pressure on the engine increases as it drives the air conditioning compressor for a long time. When the car's computer detects excessive engine pressure, it automatically increases the fuel injection volume, leading to increased fuel consumption and a corresponding increase in engine carbon deposits. 2. Carbon monoxide: Keeping the air conditioning on continuously prevents air circulation inside the car. If carbon monoxide from the engine leaks into the car, it can gradually accumulate and increase in concentration, leading to poisoning.
As an average driver who enjoys tinkering with older cars, I often park and run the AC for a short while to rest during hot summers. An hour of idling doesn’t have a huge impact—mainly just burning a bit more fuel, roughly equivalent to the cost of a few cups of milk tea. However, prolonged idling leads to low engine combustion efficiency, causing carbon buildup in the cylinders, much like turning off a stove prematurely and leaving residue. Occasionally doing this isn’t a big deal, especially to prevent heatstroke in extreme heat, but making it a habit can lead to a louder engine and slower acceleration. I recommend using the AC only when necessary, ventilating by opening windows before shutting off the engine, and periodically cleaning carbon deposits to save trouble. Maintaining your car well can extend its lifespan—don’t let minor issues snowball into expensive repairs. This advice comes from years of car ownership and maintenance experience—just sharing some casual insights.
