Does running the air conditioner without driving the car have any impact?
3 Answers
Starting the air conditioner after the engine is running without driving the car has almost no impact on the vehicle. However, keeping the engine idling for a long time can lead to increased carbon deposits inside the engine and higher fuel consumption. Carbon deposits are caused by incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture inside the engine, and they can be quite harmful to the engine. Relevant information is as follows: Starting the air conditioner while idling will increase fuel consumption and also lead to more carbon deposits in the engine, which is most harmful to humans. In a stationary state, the air inside the car cannot circulate properly. If the windows are closed, it may cause people to fall asleep comfortably, unknowingly leading to oxygen deprivation and poisoning.
I've been driving for years and often turn on the air conditioning while waiting by the roadside. When the car isn't moving, the AC relies on the engine, increasing its load. The low RPM leads to insufficient battery charging, easily draining it completely. This is especially dangerous in summer when the fan works hard to dissipate heat. If the cooling system is aging, the engine may overheat and get damaged. Last time I waited in a parking lot with the AC on for an hour, the car wouldn't start—the battery was completely dead, costing over 200 yuan to fix. Fuel consumption also skyrockets since idling burns fuel inefficiently, wasting money. I recommend not running the AC for more than ten minutes or using the auto start-stop feature to turn it off automatically. Doing this long-term can easily damage the compressor, leading to expensive repairs. It's better to park somewhere ventilated or crack the windows—it protects the car and saves money.
Having repaired cars for many years, I've seen many owners encounter issues from idling with the AC on. Adding the AC load while the engine is idling causes the compressor to overwork, accelerating wear and tear. The battery suffers particularly, as the alternator runs at low speed, charging slowly, and can be drained completely in one go. Without the ventilation system aiding in cooling, engine temperatures rise, potentially burning out components. Older cars with weaker fans face even greater risks. Common problems include a dramatic increase in fuel consumption and a 30% rise in compressor failure rates. I recommend checking if the fan operates properly and maintaining the AC filter regularly. It's fine to use the AC briefly, but for prolonged periods, it's better to turn off the AC and just use the fan for ventilation or switch to external air circulation. This helps avoid unexpected breakdowns, saves costs, and significantly extends the vehicle's lifespan.
