Does Long-Term Idling with Air Conditioning On Affect the Engine?
3 Answers
Long-term idling with air conditioning on does affect the engine. Keeping the car idling for extended periods with the air conditioning running can cause wear and tear on car components and is harmful. In principle, prolonged idling with air conditioning on is not recommended. The low idle speed of the engine results in poor cooling performance, failing to meet usage requirements. It also tends to cause incomplete combustion of fuel (gas), producing a large amount of exhaust gases, which can easily lead to poisoning and suffocation. Idling in place is an operational condition where the engine runs without load, only overcoming the frictional resistance of internal components without delivering external power. It maintains the engine at a lower stable speed. The idle speed can be adjusted by modifying the throttle opening and the idle fuel supply. Adjusting the idle operation must be performed under normal conditions, including proper engine temperature, appropriate valve clearance, normal ignition system, good sealing of all pipes, fully open choke valve, and tightly closed throttle valve. During adjustment, first, unscrew the throttle opening adjustment screw to achieve the lowest stable engine speed.
I've been driving a van myself for over twenty years and found that long-term idling with the AC on is really not good for the engine. At idle, the engine runs at low RPM, and when the compressor kicks in, it increases the load, leading to more incomplete combustion. The result is a rapid buildup of carbon deposits and a significant spike in fuel consumption. One summer, I waited in the car for over an hour with the AC on, and afterward, the engine started shaking badly. When I took it in for repairs, I found the piston rings were completely clogged with black carbon—cleaning them was both troublesome and expensive. Now, I’d recommend turning off the engine during long waits or just rolling down the windows for ventilation instead of risking damage to the engine’s core for a bit of cool air. Regularly cleaning the intake tract and spark plugs can also help prevent carbon buildup and extend the car’s lifespan. In short, ignoring this issue could lead to premature engine failure, and the repairs would be both costly and labor-intensive.
As an environmental volunteer, I'm more concerned about the impact of prolonged idling with the AC on. This significantly increases fuel consumption—just think about it, the engine is running in place and the compressor is also operating, how could the energy consumption not be high? I've measured my own car's fuel consumption; idling for one hour uses twice as much fuel as driving for one hour, and emits more exhaust. In the long run, this not only wastes money but also exacerbates air pollution and greenhouse gas issues. Especially when parked in urban areas or crowded places, the noise and fumes draw complaints from neighbors. I recommend everyone switch to using charging station rest areas or running the engine for short periods, or choose models with auto start-stop. Developing good habits can reduce your carbon footprint while protecting environmental health.
