Does leaving the car running with the AC on consume more fuel?
2 Answers
Leaving the car running with the AC on does consume more fuel. Here are the specific impacts of running the AC without turning off the engine: 1. Engine: The engine drives the compressor to work, and regardless of the vehicle's performance, turning on the AC will increase fuel consumption. Idling for more than 5 minutes can burn the equivalent fuel of driving one kilometer. 2. Carbon deposits: If the car idles with the AC on for 3 hours, the main effect is increased fuel consumption, and prolonged idling can also lead to significant carbon buildup in the engine. 3. Carbon monoxide poisoning: Whether in winter or summer, do not keep the car windows tightly closed when the AC is on. When the car is idling, carbon monoxide produced by fuel combustion can enter the car, and prolonged exposure can lead to poisoning.
Hey, I get asked this question a lot, and honestly, leaving the car running with the AC on does consume more fuel. This is because the AC compressor relies on the engine's power to operate. When idling, the engine is already working inefficiently, and with the compressor turned on, the engine's load increases significantly, forcing it to burn more gasoline to maintain operation. For example, if you're parked waiting for someone for ten minutes with the AC on, it might consume fuel equivalent to driving a kilometer. Especially in the summer heat, when the compressor cycles more frequently for cooling, the demand for fuel is even greater. Overall, this habit not only wastes fuel but can also accelerate engine wear. I recommend turning off the AC and the engine when waiting to save the most. My old car showed a 20% spike in fuel consumption on the dashboard after idling with the AC on for a full hour. Now, I've made it a habit to turn off the engine—peace of mind and savings.
