Does keeping the air conditioning on for a long time without turning off the engine affect the car?
2 Answers
Keeping the air conditioning on without turning off the engine while parked does affect the car. Here is an introduction about keeping the air conditioning on without turning off the engine: 1. Impact: When the car is idling, the engine speed is relatively low. Turning on the air conditioning can cause incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine, which can easily lead to carbon deposits in the engine cylinders and on the throttle valve. Additionally, keeping the air conditioning on without turning off the engine will increase the car's fuel consumption. 2. Recommendation: In seasons when the air conditioning is used frequently, it is advisable to clean and disinfect the air conditioning ducts more often to improve the cooling effect. Develop a good habit of turning off the air conditioning before shutting down the engine.
Having driven a taxi for over a decade, I know all too well the experience of running the AC without shutting off the engine in summer. With the AC compressor constantly running, the engine has to work extra hard, not only guzzling fuel but also accelerating carbon buildup—cleaning the throttle body weekly became routine. The incessant buzzing of the cooling fan wears out the motor bearings faster, necessitating replacements every two to three years. Not to mention, poor heat dissipation at idle has triggered the engine temperature warning light multiple times, forcing me to pull over in a panic. On long trips, I prefer to roll down the windows for ventilation, setting the AC no lower than 25°C, otherwise repair costs would double, eating up all my earnings.
