Does keeping the car AC switch on all the time have any impact?
2 Answers
You can keep the car air conditioning AC button on all the time, but it consumes more fuel. The A/C button in the car is the switch for the vehicle's air conditioning compressor, and its function is to control the on and off of the onboard compressor. The cold air for car air conditioning comes from the operation of the vehicle's air conditioning system, which requires the onboard compressor to work. In other words, when the A/C button is pressed, the air conditioning compressor will operate, and the air blown out by the blower will be cold. Below is an introduction to car air conditioning maintenance: 1. Do not adjust the air conditioning vent direction randomly: When using the air conditioning, not paying attention to adjusting the direction of the air blown by the air conditioning is not conducive to achieving the best effect of the air conditioning. According to the principle that cold air sinks and hot air rises, the correct approach should be to point the vents upward when cooling and downward when heating. 2. The air conditioning should be started periodically in winter: In some regions where winters are relatively warm, some car owners do not use the air conditioning throughout the entire winter. Not using the air conditioning for a long time can cause the rubber seals to age, and the lubricating oil on various internal components of the air conditioning will dry out. Starting the air conditioning periodically allows the components to be lubricated by the lubricating oil and maintain good condition. Therefore, it is best to start the air conditioning at least once a week in winter. 3. The duration of each air conditioning use should not be too long: Turning on the air conditioning as soon as you get in the car and using it for a long time can cause excessive pressure on the condenser, which will damage the cooling system. Therefore, the duration of each air conditioning use should not be too long. If the temperature inside the car has reached a comfortable level, you can turn off the air conditioning and turn it on again after a while. 4. In summer, ventilate and cool down before driving, then switch to internal circulation: In hot summers, many car owners are accustomed to turning on the internal circulation of the air conditioning as soon as they get in the car, thinking that this will cool down the interior temperature faster. Because the temperature inside the car is higher than the outside temperature, this approach actually has the opposite effect. When you first get in the car, you should open the windows for ventilation and turn on the external circulation to expel the hot air. After the temperature inside the car has dropped, you can then switch to internal circulation.
Having driven for over a decade, I do believe keeping the AC on constantly has noticeable impacts. The most direct effect is increased fuel consumption—the compressor's operation consumes engine power, especially noticeable during traffic jams. Additionally, the continuous operation of the compressor accelerates wear on bearings and the clutch. My previous car required two compressor replacements. During summer, I often noticed a musty smell when using the AC, which I later learned was due to bacteria growth from moisture on the condenser. Moreover, running the AC in winter adds extra load on the battery; while it helps defog, it feels somewhat wasteful. My advice is to turn it on only when necessary and to shut it off a few minutes before parking to let the airflow dry out the system, significantly extending the AC's lifespan.
