Does Running the AC While Parked Damage the Car?
1 Answers
Running the AC while parked does not damage the car. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Compressor: Turning on the AC can mean using either the heater or the cooler. When the cooler is activated, the air conditioning system's compressor needs to work. Typically, the compressor is driven by the engine, except in hybrid or fully electric vehicles where it is electrically powered (this discussion excludes purely electric compressors). When the engine is idling, it runs regardless of whether the AC is on or off. However, when the AC is turned on, the engine speed may increase by about 250 RPM. If the vehicle has a variable displacement AC compressor, the change in engine speed might be barely noticeable. Therefore, since the engine runs at idle whether the AC is on or off, using the AC does not harm the car. 2. Air Circulation: Although running the AC does not damage the car, it is important to activate the external air circulation mode and open the windows when idling with the AC on, especially in poorly ventilated areas like underground parking lots. This prevents poor air circulation inside the car, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or suffocation. If the AC is set to heater mode, the compressor is not involved because the heater uses the heat from the engine's coolant, which flows into the heater core. The blower then blows air over the heater core to produce warm air, eliminating the need for the compressor to work. Thus, when using the heater, there is no concern about engine idling damaging the car, as the engine is the only component in operation.
