How to Turn on the Car Air Conditioner in Winter?
2 Answers
When turning on the car air conditioner in winter, adjust it to the external circulation mode. Below is a relevant introduction to car air conditioning: 1. Air Conditioning Layout: Different types of air conditioning systems have varying layout methods. Currently, most cars widely adopt the integrated heating and cooling air conditioning system. Its layout involves assembling components such as the evaporator, heater core, centrifugal blower, and control mechanism into one unit, referred to as the air conditioning assembly. 2. Air Conditioning Components: Modern air conditioning systems consist of a refrigeration system, heating system, ventilation and air purification devices, and a control system. Generally, a car air conditioner mainly includes components such as the compressor, electronically controlled clutch, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, receiver-drier, piping, condenser fan, vacuum solenoid valve, idle speed controller, and control system. The car air conditioning system is divided into high-pressure and low-pressure lines. The high-pressure side includes the compressor output side, high-pressure lines, condenser, receiver-drier, and liquid lines; the low-pressure side includes the evaporator, accumulator, suction line, compressor input side, and compressor oil sump.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I have my own routine for using the air conditioning in winter. Upon entering the car, I don’t rush to turn on the AC right away because the engine is still cold from startup. I usually wait a few minutes for it to warm up before pressing the AUTO button, which lets the system adjust automatically. Then, I rotate the temperature knob to set it around 22 degrees—comfortable yet fuel-efficient. I don’t worry about the fan speed as it regulates itself. Fogging up is a major issue in winter, so I always check if the windshield defogger is on; otherwise, the fog can blur visibility, which is quite dangerous. I also pay attention to cabin air quality by switching to external circulation for a while to avoid CO2 buildup. During regular maintenance, I make sure the AC filter is clean to prevent dust from blowing out. In short, warming up the car gradually before using the AC ensures both safety and peace of mind.
