Does Running the Air Conditioner While Parked Harm the Car?

[EdenRose]

Running the air conditioner while parked can harm the car. Below is an introduction to the potential damages caused by using the air conditioner while the car is parked: Battery Drain: When the air conditioner is turned on while the car is parked, the power required by the blower generally comes from the battery. However, the battery is usually recharged only when the car is running. Engine Damage: When the engine is idling, the RPM is relatively low, which results in lower oil pump pressure. If the oil pump pressure is too low, the lubrication effect on the friction-prone parts of the engine will be insufficient, leading to increased wear between components. Increased Carbon Buildup: During idle, the car may not necessarily charge the battery. Excessive power consumption by the blower can lead to long-term battery drain. Running the air conditioner while parked for extended periods, which involves operating the air conditioner in idle mode, can increase fuel consumption and also lead to increased carbon buildup in the engine.

[DelDamian]

My friend once idled with the air conditioning on for two hours at a highway rest stop, and afterward, the engine noise became noticeably louder. During the subsequent maintenance check, the mechanic explained that idling with the AC running increases fuel consumption, leads to carbon buildup, and over time, can affect the engine's lifespan. With the AC compressor constantly running, the engine is under heavier load and runs hotter, which can cause issues—especially in older cars where the battery might even drain and cause the engine to stall. So now, whenever I stop, I limit running the AC to just ten minutes to cool down before moving on, or I simply get out and take a short walk instead of staying in the car. Short periods are fine, but prolonged idling with the AC on can really harm the car. It's best to avoid idling with the AC running unnecessarily.

[DelaneyRose]

I think idling with the AC on is quite unsafe, especially in enclosed spaces like underground parking garages, where carbon monoxide could seep into the vehicle, posing health risks. Moreover, prolonged idling not only increases fuel consumption but also accelerates wear and tear on the AC system components, such as the compressor and fan, which might fail prematurely. I've seen many cars stranded on the roadside because their batteries were drained from leaving the AC on for too long. For a safer cooling option, I recommend rolling down the windows for ventilation. If using the AC is necessary, set a timer to limit usage to no more than half an hour—after all, taking care of your car can also save you some fuel costs.

[McJack]

Keeping the engine idling with the air conditioning on while parked is harmful to the environment, as it results in higher fuel consumption and increased emissions that pollute the air. I once tried idling for half an hour, and the fuel consumption displayed on the dashboard surged significantly, worsening carbon buildup issues as well. There's nothing wrong with the air conditioning itself, but when the car is stationary with only the compressor running, the engine's load increases over time, potentially leading to overheating or component fatigue. Therefore, I usually opt for opening the windows or using the air conditioning briefly to avoid unnecessary damage.