Does the Car Refrigerator Continue to Cool After the Engine is Turned Off?

[StDaniela]

Car refrigerators cannot cool after the engine is turned off. Relevant information is as follows: 1. Car refrigerators operate by drawing power from the car's cigarette lighter socket. Once the engine is turned off, the refrigerator cannot receive power and thus cannot function. 2. Additionally, in some car models, the cigarette lighter socket may still provide power even when the engine is off, allowing the refrigerator to continue operating. In this case, the refrigerator uses the car battery's power. It is important to check whether your refrigerator is equipped with an intelligent battery protection module to avoid completely draining the battery. 3. If the car cannot supply power to the refrigerator under certain circumstances, a dedicated portable power supply for car refrigerators can be used. A 62400mAh power supply can keep the refrigerator running for over 6 hours. The multiple USB output ports included can also charge other digital devices, further reducing the dependency of other car electronics on the car battery.

[RicardoLynn]

I totally get the experience of a car fridge continuing to cool after the engine is turned off. I often go on long-distance camping trips, and the fridge works great while driving. It can indeed keep running after turning off the engine, powered by the car battery for a while. But it doesn’t last too long due to limited battery capacity. I’ve tested it myself—usually, the cooling effect weakens after about half an hour to an hour. If you forget to turn it off, the battery might drain completely, leaving you unable to start the car. I once got stuck in the countryside because of this and had to call a tow truck in a panic. My advice: it’s fine for short stops, but unplug or turn it off if parked for more than 30 minutes. Also, regularly check your battery’s health—older batteries won’t last long. When choosing a fridge, go for reputable brands with low-voltage protection, which automatically cuts power to avoid accidents.

[AaronAnn]

The car fridge can indeed continue cooling after the engine is turned off, but safety precautions are necessary. I learned a basic tip from driving school: once the alternator stops, it relies entirely on the battery, and running the fridge for too long can drain the battery. It's troublesome if the car won't start in winter or on a rainy night—I've seen a neighbor delay picking up their kids because of this. It's recommended to use the fridge only when the engine is running and turn it off when parked, with a maximum emergency runtime of 10 to 20 minutes. Keep jumper cables in the car just in case. The fridge model also matters—low-power ones are more energy-efficient, but the general rule is that battery capacity is key. Regularly check the battery voltage; when it's healthy, you can use it longer.

[DiNaomi]

The car fridge can continue cooling after the engine is turned off, and I've used it many times. It basically relies on battery power to maintain operation, but the duration is limited. The battery capacity determines how long it can last; a new battery might keep cooling for about half an hour to an hour. After that, the cooling effect disappears. I usually unplug it when parked to save money and electricity. It's useful for short stops during long trips, but don't rely on it too much. Battery maintenance is key—check it regularly to avoid sudden power loss. It's recommended to buy a fridge with protection features to reduce risks.