Does Running the Air Conditioner While Idling in Winter Damage the Car?
1 Answers
Keeping the air conditioner running while the car is idling in winter can cause certain harms to the vehicle. Running the air conditioner while parked in winter is not only harmful to the car but also poses risks to human health, for the following reasons: 1. Although the air conditioning compressor is driven by the engine, the blower fan is powered by the battery. When the car is idling, it does not charge the battery. Excessive power consumption by the blower fan may lead to battery drain. 2. Continuously running the air conditioner while parked in winter is not only harmful to the car but also dangerous for passengers. Since the car is not moving but the air conditioner remains on, and all windows are closed, the air inside the car cannot circulate. This allows carbon monoxide from the engine exhaust to enter the cabin, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or even death if someone remains inside the vehicle.