Does Running the AC While Parked Damage the Car?
1 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.
