Does prolonged idling with the air conditioning on affect the engine?

[DeQuinn]

Keeping the air conditioning on while the car is idling does affect the engine. When the engine runs at low speeds for extended periods, it is prone to carbon buildup, which can lead to unstable idling and impact the engine's power performance. It can also affect the engine's lifespan. Here are several situations where you should be cautious about using the car's air conditioning: 1. Running the air conditioning with the windows tightly closed. When the engine is running, incomplete combustion of gasoline in the cylinders produces high concentrations of carbon monoxide. If the windows are tightly closed and carbon monoxide leaks into the car, it can accumulate and increase in concentration, leading to poisoning or even death. 2. Running the air conditioning at low settings to save fuel. When the air conditioning is in use, it draws in a lot of dust, which gradually condenses with moisture in the evaporator to form dirt. Most evaporators are located near the blower. Over time, this can lead to mold growth, and the toxic mold spores can then be dispersed into the car through the air conditioning, causing the musty smell often noticed in cars. 3. Turning on the air conditioning immediately after starting the car. This not only results in poor cooling performance but also increases the load on the engine during its initial operation, which over time can lead to premature engine wear.