Does Starting the Car and Turning on the AC Damage the Vehicle?
3 Answers
Starting the car and turning on the AC does not cause significant harm to the vehicle. However, it poses certain risks to people. When the car is in motion, the carbon monoxide produced dissipates or disappears due to rapid air convection. But in idle conditions, even outdoors, if there is no wind, carbon monoxide can accumulate around the car, increasing in concentration over time. At this point, if the car is set to external air circulation, a large amount of carbon monoxide from outside could be drawn into the vehicle, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Additional Information: Common Misconceptions About Car AC Usage: 1. High AC Settings Consume More Fuel; Many car owners believe that setting the AC to maximum consumes more fuel, so they keep it low. While saving fuel is good, the car AC can accumulate dust over time, forming grime that may mold. If the AC is kept at low settings for too long, it becomes difficult to blow out the dust and grime from the air ducts, which can then affect the health of passengers. The correct approach is to occasionally set the AC to maximum for a few minutes to blow out the dust. Additionally, regularly clean the AC ducts and replace the air filter. 2. Smoking in the Car with AC On: Many smokers enjoy smoking in the car with the AC on, thinking it quickly disperses the smoke. However, this is equivalent to continuously inhaling secondhand smoke. If smoking in the car is unavoidable, always open the windows or set the AC to external circulation for ventilation. 3. Setting the AC Too Low: In hot summer weather, many car owners prefer to set the AC very low upon entering the car. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can cause various discomforts, such as leg pain, general fatigue, chills, headaches, sore throat, abdominal pain, backache, and nerve pain in the limbs. 4. Random AC Airflow Direction: Adjusting the AC airflow direction randomly can affect the car's interior temperature. If the cold air is directed toward high-temperature components that don't need cooling, it counteracts the cooling effect, making it ineffective. 5. Keeping Internal Circulation On for Too Long: To save energy, many car owners keep the AC in internal circulation mode, which reduces compressor usage and fuel consumption. However, prolonged use can lead to stale air, reduced oxygen levels, and symptoms like dizziness or even hypoxia among passengers. 6. Avoid Running the AC While Parked: Running the AC while parked is dangerous because, during idling or low speeds, gasoline does not burn completely, producing carbon monoxide. If the AC is in external circulation mode, it can draw this carbon monoxide into the car, risking poisoning. This is especially hazardous in traffic jams, where the AC intake may align with the exhaust of the vehicle ahead. Therefore, it's best to switch to internal circulation mode during traffic jams.
From my practical driving experience, turning on the air conditioning immediately after starting the car does indeed impose extra load. The moment the engine starts, the entire system is under full load, and activating the AC at this point causes the compressor to engage suddenly, increasing stress on both the battery and alternator. Especially during cold starts when engine oil hasn't fully circulated, this additional load may accelerate internal wear. I've seen some older models frequently operated this way develop battery drainage issues, leading to hard starts or even failure to ignite. Modern vehicles have protection mechanisms that prevent immediate problems, but making this a long-term habit can shorten component lifespan and affect overall reliability. I recommend waiting a minute or two after startup to let the engine stabilize before activating the AC. During summer use, opening windows for ventilation before turning on the AC can also save energy and reduce strain. Regular checks of battery voltage and engine condition help prevent these minor issues from snowballing into major troubles.
After years of driving, I've learned this lesson the hard way: turning on the AC immediately after starting the car isn't wise. Right after ignition, the battery is powering the engine startup, and activating the AC compressor creates a sudden surge in electrical demand, potentially overloading the system. One winter morning when I was in a hurry, I cranked up the heater immediately and nearly couldn't restart the car due to a voltage drop - a battery check later revealed it needed replacement. This practice is particularly harsh on older vehicles, potentially causing engine knocking or accelerated part wear. While occasional use won't cause major issues, developing the habit of waiting until the engine warms up before using AC is ideal. It's actually more fuel-efficient too, as you're not wasting extra energy during the initial phase. Maintaining this routine in my daily driving has proven more reliable and helped avoid unnecessary repair costs.
