Does running the car air conditioner without driving affect the vehicle?
2 Answers
Starting the engine and turning on the air conditioner without driving has almost no impact on the vehicle. Below is an introduction to the car air conditioning system: Introduction to car air conditioning: The car air conditioning system consists of a compressor, condenser, throttle element, evaporator, fan, and necessary control components, designed to regulate the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle, providing a comfortable environment for the driver. Working principle: When the compressor is operating, it draws in low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator. After compression, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant increase, and it is sent to the condenser. Inside the condenser, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant transfers heat to the outside air passing through the condenser and liquefies into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant then flows through the throttle device, where its temperature and pressure decrease before entering the evaporator. In the evaporator, the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the inside air passing through the evaporator and evaporates into a gas. The gas is then drawn back into the compressor to start the next cycle.
I've been driving for twenty years and have seen all kinds of situations. Running the AC while the car is stationary does have negative effects. The engine needs to drive the compressor at idle speed, which significantly increases fuel consumption – your wallet will protest. Prolonged idling can also drain the battery, as the alternator operates inefficiently when stationary, struggling to power both the AC and other electrical systems. I once had a neighbor who forgot to turn it off while parked roadside; within half an hour the battery was dead, requiring emergency assistance. Additionally, prolonged idling causes excessive engine workload, raising overheating risks and accelerating carbon buildup, which over time damages components like piston rings. My advice: short AC use while parked (under 10 minutes) is fine, but beyond that, turn off the engine and open windows for ventilation. Alternatively, precool the car briefly before driving to protect your vehicle.
