Does running the air conditioning when the car is not moving have any impact?

[CarterDella]

Running the air conditioning while the car is idling for extended periods can increase fuel consumption, accelerate the buildup and retention of carbon deposits in the engine. Especially when using the cooling function in summer, it can lead to elevated engine water temperatures, placing a significant load on the engine's cooling system. In the most severe cases, it can even cause carbon monoxide poisoning for passengers inside the vehicle. Below is an introduction to car air conditioning: 1. Car Air Conditioning: Designed to regulate and control the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow within the car cabin to optimal conditions, providing a comfortable environment for passengers and reducing travel fatigue. It also creates favorable working conditions for the driver, playing a crucial role in ensuring safe driving. Generally, it includes cooling, heating, and ventilation systems. This integrated system makes efficient use of the limited space inside the vehicle, featuring a simple structure and ease of operation, making it a popular modern car air conditioning system internationally. 2. Classification by Performance: Single-function type (where the cooling, heating, and ventilation systems are installed separately and operated independently without interference, commonly used in large buses and trucks) and integrated heating-cooling type (where cooling, heating, and ventilation share a blower and air ducts, controlled via the same panel. Operation can be divided into combined mode, where heating and cooling work separately, and mixed temperature control mode, where heating and cooling can work simultaneously. Passenger cars often use the mixed temperature control mode). 3. Classification by Control Method: Manual type (adjusting temperature, fan speed, and airflow direction by toggling function keys on the control panel) and electronically controlled pneumatic regulation (using a vacuum control mechanism, where selecting the air conditioning function key automatically controls temperature and airflow within preset ranges).

[VonRowan]

I often encounter customers asking about this in the workshop. Running the air conditioner without starting the engine causes the most damage to the battery. Typically, the battery can't last more than 20 minutes before being drained, and in severe cases, the car won't start at all, requiring a rescue call. The air conditioning compressor is driven by the engine belt, so it won't work if the engine isn't running. In this case, the air blown is just natural air drawn in by the blower. The most dangerous scenario is running the air conditioner in a gasoline car in an enclosed space, as the carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaust can become lethal. Last year, news reported a father and son who fell asleep in a garage under such conditions and never woke up. If you really need to use the air conditioner temporarily while waiting, it's advisable to limit each session to no more than ten minutes and leave a window slightly open for ventilation to stay safe.

[Brady]

As someone who studies car operating costs daily, I can tell you that idling with the AC on is particularly expensive. Tests on a 1.6L car showed that idling with the AC for one hour consumes 1.5 liters of fuel, equivalent to driving the car for five kilometers. When the engine idles, combustion is incomplete, making it especially prone to carbon buildup, and repairing carbon deposits costs at least four to five hundred yuan. The biggest loss is battery wear—a regular battery is basically ruined after three deep discharges, and replacing a new one costs over five hundred yuan. If it's really hot in summer, it's recommended to use a mobile app to remotely start the car, then turn it off once the interior has cooled down, which is much more cost-effective than leaving it running continuously.

[Ella]

Over the years of repairing cars, I've witnessed numerous incidents caused by idling with the AC on. For fuel-powered vehicles, the greatest danger is exhaust gas backflow, especially when parked in underground garages—carbon monoxide levels can exceed safety standards by threefold within just five minutes. Although hybrid vehicles don't frequently start their engines, prolonged high-load AC operation can lead to overheating of the high-voltage battery. Last year, a car triggered its protection mechanism after three hours of idling with the AC on, causing the battery temperature to soar to 60°C. My advice: when waiting with the AC running, always shift to Park, engage the handbrake, and lower windows by 5cm for ventilation. If the wait exceeds half an hour, it's safer to turn off the engine and find a shaded spot instead.