Is It Harmful to Run the Car Air Conditioner for Two Hours While Idling?
3 Answers
It can cause some damage to the car, but the impact is not too severe. The car won't break down, but there may be some engine wear, potentially requiring earlier oil changes and maintenance. Here are the relevant details: 1. Car Air Conditioning: The car air conditioning system is designed to regulate and control the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow inside the vehicle to optimal levels, providing a comfortable environment for passengers and reducing travel fatigue. It also creates better working conditions for the driver, playing a crucial role in ensuring safe driving. 2. Precautions: This consumes a significant amount of fuel. It is not recommended to run the air conditioning while idling for extended periods. Prolonged use of the air conditioning in recirculation mode can lead to deteriorating air quality inside the car, with increasing levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which can pose health risks and even endanger lives.
I think it depends on the specific situation. My old Bora once taught me a painful lesson - last summer while waiting for two hours with the AC on at the airport, the engine warning light came on. The 4S shop mechanic said prolonged idling with AC causes incomplete fuel combustion, leaving the engine full of black carbon deposits that could potentially clog the catalytic converter. Especially for turbocharged cars, the turbo doesn't get a chance to cool down, and the temperature gauge becomes scary to watch. The battery also takes a beating - my friend's car battery died from napping with AC on roadside, leaving the windows stuck down. Honestly suggest avoiding this practice. If you must wait, it's best to start the car and drive around for a few minutes every half hour.
Running the AC for two hours definitely consumes fuel! My CR-V once burned 1.5 liters of gas in just one hour. A mechanic told me that idling with the AC on is particularly harmful to piston rings. The engine doesn't reach optimal temperature, allowing gasoline to leak into the engine oil—when you pull out the dipstick, it reeks of gasoline. Even scarier is the risk of exhaust gas backflow. I remember a news report about a driver who got poisoned doing this in a garage. Nowadays, I bring a folding chair and wait in the shade. If I really need to use the AC, I crack the windows slightly. Oh, and older cars need extra caution—their alternators can't keep up, and two hours of AC use can drain the battery completely.
