Is It Harmful to Idle a Car with the Air Conditioning On?
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Idling a car with the air conditioning on is very damaging to the vehicle. Over time, it can lead to carbon buildup, and eventually, the car may start to shake during idle. Below is an introduction to the effects of idling with the air conditioning on: How Idling with the AC On Works: The power consumption of the air conditioning only accounts for a small portion of the engine's idle energy. However, when idling with the AC on, the engine not only drives the air conditioning compressor but also needs to maintain the normal operation of the power steering and brake booster pumps. The latter two functions are completely unnecessary when parked, making it a waste of power and fuel. Health Hazards: Running the air conditioning while parked is very dangerous. When the vehicle is idling or moving at low speeds, gasoline does not burn completely, producing carbon monoxide. If the air conditioning is set to the outside air circulation mode, it can draw carbon monoxide into the cabin, potentially causing carbon monoxide poisoning for the occupants. This is especially risky during traffic jams, as the air intake for the AC may be directly facing the exhaust pipe of the vehicle in front. Therefore, it is best to switch to the recirculation mode when stuck in traffic.