Does turning on the air conditioning without starting the engine harm the car?
1 Answers
Turning on the air conditioning without starting the engine can harm the car. Without the engine running, the air conditioning lacks cooling functionality. After prolonged use, the car's battery may become depleted, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Reasons for battery depletion: When the air conditioning is turned on without the engine running, the air blown out is just natural air from the blower. This is because the air conditioning compressor is powered by the engine, so it won't operate when the engine is off. The blower, which circulates natural air, is powered by the battery. In mild cases, the car may fail to start; in severe cases, the battery could remain in a depleted state for an extended period. This applies to traditional fuel-powered vehicles; new energy vehicles do not face this issue. Effects of not turning off the air conditioning before shutting down the engine: Not turning off the air conditioning after shutting down the engine can have significant negative effects on the car. Modern vehicles are equipped with interlock mechanisms that automatically cut off most auxiliary circuits when the engine is off, including the air conditioning. Failing to turn off the air conditioning before shutting down the engine can easily damage it, as the air conditioning's load during the next startup may place excessive strain on the engine. Therefore, it is not advisable to keep the air conditioning on for extended periods while the engine is off. Additionally, running the air conditioning for too long while the car is idling can lead to engine carbon buildup.
