Does Long-Term Idling with Air Conditioning On Affect the Car?
3 Answers
Long-term idling with the air conditioning on can lead to carbon buildup and also affects the battery. Effects of Long-Term Idling on the Car: Long-term idling with the air conditioning on can have certain impacts on the car. First, fuel consumption will be relatively high. When the air conditioning is on, the air blown by the blower is powered by the battery. During idling, the car charges the battery very little, while the blower consumes a significant amount of battery power, which may result in long-term battery depletion. Additionally, prolonged idling can easily lead to carbon buildup, which has the most significant negative effect on the car. Effects of Long-Term Idling on Occupants: When the car's engine is running, incomplete combustion of gasoline in the cylinders can produce high concentrations of carbon monoxide. While driving, the air flow generated by the air conditioning system creates convection, keeping the carbon monoxide concentration inside the car very low. However, once the car stops moving, the air convection deteriorates, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Speaking of long-term idling with the air conditioning on, I have deep personal experience and believe it's really not a good thing, mainly because it burns fuel too aggressively. Think about it—the car isn't moving, just sitting there, with the engine roaring but not going anywhere. The fuel consumption is already much higher than when driving. Turning on the air conditioning makes it even worse—the compressor needs the engine to drag it along, increasing the load, and fuel burns away rapidly, emptying the tank in no time. I did this with my car for a few months and ended up spending nearly an extra thousand bucks on gas, which was heartbreaking. What's worse, idling means no airflow for cooling, leading to poor heat dissipation and making the engine prone to overheating. My previous car even triggered a coolant temperature warning, and fixing it was both expensive and troublesome. It's best to start driving soon after ignition or turn off the AC and use the fan for ventilation when parked—saving fuel while protecting the car.
I've found that prolonged idling with the air conditioning on puts significant strain on the car's engine, accelerating wear and tear. When the engine runs at low speeds, combustion is already incomplete, and adding the compressor load from the AC increases cylinder pressure while reducing oil lubrication, leading to faster component wear. Over time, excessive carbon buildup can cause ignition issues – my old car once developed shaking and unusual noises from this, eventually requiring carbon cleaning and engine repairs. The AC system itself is also prone to damage, with compressor overheating being a common issue. If you must rest in the car, I recommend running the AC for just a few minutes or finding a well-ventilated spot to turn it off. Regularly check engine oil and coolant temperature to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.
