Is it necessary to start the engine to turn on the air conditioning?
2 Answers
Turning on the air conditioning requires starting the engine, and idling will consume fuel, which is not lower than when driving at a constant speed. Consequences of idling operation: Prolonged idling operation of the engine can easily cause carbon buildup in the engine. Over time, this can lead to black smoke emissions and increased fuel consumption. If the engine idles for an extended period, the carbon monoxide produced by the engine can accumulate and enter the vehicle, potentially causing carbon monoxide poisoning to the occupants. Precautions for using the air conditioning: Therefore, maintenance professionals suggest that if you are waiting for someone for less than 5 minutes, you can stay in the car. However, if the wait exceeds 5 minutes, it is better to drive the car to an underground parking lot or a shaded area, turn off the engine, and wait outside. In the afternoon, some car owners may be tempted to take a nap in the car with the air conditioning on, but this is very dangerous. Every summer and winter in China, there are multiple cases of carbon monoxide poisoning or suffocation deaths in vehicles with the air conditioning running.
Turning on the air conditioning indeed requires starting the engine to function properly, which is related to how the air conditioning compressor operates. Last time I tried only powering on without starting the engine while waiting in the car, only the fan was blowing natural air without any cooling effect. The air conditioning compressor is driven by the engine's crankshaft belt, so it won't work if the engine isn't running. However, pure electric and hybrid vehicles are exceptions, as their air conditioning systems are directly powered by the battery to drive the motor, allowing for cool air even while charging or camping. But for traditional fuel-powered vehicles, if you want to stay cool, you really need to start the engine to get it running—even idling is better than just powering on without starting.
