Does Long-Term Idling with Air Conditioning On Affect the Car?
1 Answers
Long-term idling with the air conditioning on can cause wear and tear on car components and is harmful. In principle, it is not allowed to keep the air conditioning on for extended periods while idling. Moreover, it poses risks to human health. When the engine operates only at idle speed, gasoline combustion becomes incomplete, producing toxic substances such as carbon monoxide. If the car doors and windows remain tightly closed for a long time under these conditions, exhaust fumes can enter the sealed cabin. Accumulation of these fumes to a certain level can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Below is some relevant knowledge about idling with air conditioning on: 1. Fuel Consumption Issue: Theoretically, idling with air conditioning on is not a problem, but the biggest issue is undoubtedly fuel consumption, followed by wastage. When driving with air conditioning on, the power consumed by the air conditioning only accounts for a small portion of the engine's idle energy output. However, when idling with air conditioning on, the engine not only drives the air conditioning compressor but also needs to maintain the normal operation of the power steering and brake booster pumps. The latter two functions are completely unnecessary when the car is parked, so keeping them running is a waste of power. 2. Hazards to Humans: It is important to note that even if fuel cost is not a concern, one should not keep the air conditioning on continuously. This is because the air inside the car cannot circulate, and if carbon monoxide from the engine leaks into the cabin, it will gradually accumulate and increase in concentration, leading to poisoning. There have been many cases where people fell asleep and never woke up again. Therefore, it is recommended that car owners, if they really need to rest or wait in the car for a long time, should turn off the car's internal air circulation to ensure a flow of fresh air.
