Does keeping the car running with the AC on have any impact?
2 Answers
Short periods of idling with the air conditioning on will not cause damage to the car. However, prolonged idling with the AC running can lead to increased carbon buildup in the engine, posing potential risks. Below are detailed explanations: 1. Fuel consumption: The fuel consumption when idling with the AC on: Under normal circumstances, if a car's fuel consumption is 10L, turning on the AC will increase fuel consumption by approximately 2L. Fuel consumption is significantly affected by whether the AC is on, and the impact varies with different fan speeds. 2. Precautions: During idling, incomplete fuel combustion produces a large amount of carbon monoxide. The longer the idling time, the higher the concentration of carbon monoxide around the vehicle. Prolonged idling can result in extremely high levels of carbon monoxide inside the car, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or even death if passengers are present, thereby causing safety hazards.
I've noticed that keeping the car running with the AC on does have some impacts. Firstly, fuel consumption increases significantly. The engine burns fuel while idling, wasting several dollars worth of gas per hour. Prolonged idling can also accelerate wear and tear on internal engine components, especially pistons and bearings, potentially leading to increased noise or reduced performance. Additionally, continuous operation of the AC compressor puts excessive strain on it, shortening its lifespan. I've also read reports that this leads to higher exhaust emissions, which isn't great for the environment. Overall, I recommend turning off the engine when parked and waiting, or finding a shaded spot to turn off the engine and open windows for ventilation—it's both cost-effective and eco-friendly. Using the AC occasionally is fine, but avoid running it for hours on end.
