Is it necessary to turn on the AC when using the car air conditioner in summer?
3 Answers
In summer, it is necessary to turn on the AC switch when using the car air conditioner. The AC button is the cooling switch of the car air conditioner. If the AC button is not pressed, the air conditioner will not cool. The working process of the compressor: 1. Press the AC button, and the compressor clutch engages; 2. The engine drives the compressor to operate; 3. The compressor continuously compresses the refrigerant and delivers it to the evaporator; 4. The refrigerant expands and absorbs heat in the evaporator, cooling the evaporator; 5. The cooled evaporator cools the air blown by the blower, so the air blown out from the air conditioner vents is cold. The refrigerant used in car air conditioners is R134a, which needs to be replaced regularly. If the refrigerant is not replaced for a long time, the cooling effect of the air conditioner will become worse and the speed will slow down.
In summer, you definitely need to turn on the AC button to activate the air conditioning. If you don't, the compressor won't work, and the fan will only blow room-temperature or warm air, providing no cooling at all. Driving all day in such conditions feels like sitting in a steamer. With over ten years of driving experience, I've learned that on hot days, turning on the AC for cooling is essential. For cars with automatic air conditioning, simply press the AUTO button and set the desired temperature, but the compressor still needs to be activated. Remember to alternate between recirculation and fresh air modes to avoid stale air from using recirculation mode continuously. Long-distance driving may consume slightly more fuel, but the impact isn't significant. During maintenance, check the refrigerant level to avoid costly repairs later. Also, don't frequently turn the AC on and off to save fuel; stable operation is actually more energy-efficient. High cabin temperatures can lead to driver fatigue, so safety should always come first.
In principle, the car's air conditioning cooling relies entirely on the compressor operation, which is the function of the AC button. Not turning it on in summer means only using the fan to blow natural air, which doesn't cool at all. I've forgotten to turn on the AC several times and suffered from the heat. Although automatic air conditioning intelligently adjusts the airflow and temperature, you need to manually or automatically start the compressor to truly cool. Also, avoid setting the temperature too low, as it wastes fuel and is uncomfortable. Use the internal and external circulation modes appropriately, such as switching to internal circulation in traffic jams to reduce pollution intake. Regularly clean the air conditioning filter to prevent mold and health issues. Remember, the cooling system's power consumption increases fuel consumption, but it's worth it—safe driving is more important.
