Does Running the AC While Parked Damage the Car?
4 Answers
Running the AC while parked can damage the car. Here are specific details about how using the AC can harm the vehicle: 1. Turning on the AC immediately after ignition: Starting the AC right after the engine starts increases the engine load, which can damage the engine over time. Additionally, turning on the AC when the car interior is very hot makes it harder to cool down quickly. 2. Using the AC during traffic jams: If the AC is left on during prolonged idling, such as in heavy traffic or while waiting, the engine runs at idle speed for extended periods, placing a heavy burden on it. Moreover, incomplete fuel combustion at idle speed produces high concentrations of carbon monoxide. If the surrounding air circulation is poor, this carbon monoxide can enter the car, potentially poisoning the occupants. 3. Setting the temperature too low: Prolonged exposure to very cold AC air can lead to health issues like arthritis, frozen shoulder, or colds. For small-displacement cars (below 1.4L), it's also important to keep the AC at the lowest setting when starting the car, as a high AC setting can make it difficult for the car to accelerate. 4. Keeping the recirculation mode on continuously: Using the recirculation mode for too long can make the air inside the car increasingly stale, potentially causing dizziness or discomfort.
Parking with the air conditioning on does have some impact on the vehicle. When you turn on the AC while stationary, the engine must maintain idle speed to power the compressor. This low-speed operation is particularly prone to causing carbon buildup inside the engine, which over time can affect power output and fuel efficiency. The continuous operation of the compressor also causes additional wear on the engine mounts. Additionally, it puts significant strain on the battery since the AC fan and blower are entirely electrically powered. In older vehicles, the battery might drain quickly. Once I tested it—running the AC for two hours while parked in summer—and the battery voltage dropped significantly. So if you must use it, remember not to exceed 30 minutes continuously, and it's best to crack a window for ventilation.
I often have to wait for people in the car, and idling with the air conditioning on is a common occurrence. The most obvious impact on the car is the soaring fuel consumption—the engine running at idle consumes even more fuel than when driving, and the fuel gauge visibly drops. Another issue you might overlook is exhaust emissions—especially dangerous in enclosed garages, as carbon monoxide can seep into the car through gaps. Once, I took a nap with the air conditioning on in an underground parking lot and woke up feeling dizzy; I never dared to do it again. Additionally, with the car stationary, the air conditioning system's condensate doesn't drain properly, and when the external circulation is on, dust accumulates on the filter, requiring a new filter every half month.
The most damaging aspect of idling with AC on is long-term carbon buildup. At idle, the engine injects less fuel, leading to incomplete combustion, which gradually forms hard carbon deposits on intake valves and piston tops. These black crystals act like blood clots in veins, causing the engine to shake as if coughing. A friend's car once required major repairs due to this, costing thousands to clean the carbon deposits. The AC compressor belt is also prone to loosening—last year at the repair shop, I encountered a car whose AC failed due to a broken belt. If you must run the AC under scorching sun, switching to recirculation mode can reduce compressor load.
