Does running the air conditioner without driving affect the car?
2 Answers
Turning on the air conditioner after starting the engine without driving has almost no impact on the car. However, keeping the engine in an idle state for a long time can lead to increased carbon deposits in the engine and higher fuel consumption. Carbon deposits occur because the combustible mixture in the engine cannot burn completely, and they can cause significant harm to the engine. Here are more related details: Precautions: 1. It is true that the air conditioning compressor is driven by the engine, but the air blown by the blower is powered by the battery. The car may not charge the battery during idle, and excessive power consumption by the blower could result in long-term battery depletion. Taking the car for a high-speed drive occasionally helps recharge the battery and maintain its health. 2. The direct airflow without air conditioning utilizes the engine's waste heat, which is the principle behind the car's warm air in winter, and does not involve the air conditioning refrigerant. A handy tip: If the car's coolant temperature is too high and doesn't drop, it indicates insufficient cooling by the front radiator fan. In an emergency, turning on the warm air from the air conditioner can provide an additional cooling channel. 3. Prolonged idling with the air conditioner on will certainly have negative effects. It increases fuel consumption and engine carbon deposits, with the greatest harm being to humans. In a stationary state, the air inside the car doesn't circulate properly. Closing the windows can make people feel comfortable enough to fall asleep, leading to unconscious carbon monoxide poisoning and oxygen deprivation.
I often struggle with this issue when resting in the car. Leaving the air conditioning on for long periods while parked does have an impact, mainly increasing fuel consumption and financial burden. Running the AC while the engine is idling can consume an extra one to two liters of fuel per hour on average, which is equivalent to burning money for nothing. In hot summer weather, many people are accustomed to keeping the windows closed and turning on the AC for cooling, but the battery still needs to power the fan. If the engine is off, the battery will deplete faster, and once the battery dies, it will cost a lot to replace it. To avoid this, try to park in shaded areas, crack the windows slightly when taking short breaks or waiting for someone, and set a shorter timer if the AC must be turned on. Regularly checking the vehicle's health can effectively save money.
