Is it okay to keep the air conditioning on without starting the car?
1 Answers
It is possible to turn on the air conditioning without starting the car, but it can cause damage to the vehicle. Below are the potential consequences and reasons: 1. If the air conditioning is left on for an extended period without starting the car, the car battery will be drained. In mild cases, the car may fail to start, while in severe cases, the battery may remain in a chronically undercharged state. This is because, without the engine running, the air conditioning compressor does not work, and the blower fan (which circulates natural air) is powered by the battery. (This applies only to traditional fuel-powered vehicles; electric vehicles do not experience this issue.) 2. Failing to turn off the air conditioning after shutting off the engine can easily damage the engine. The impact on the car is significant because modern vehicles have interlock mechanisms that automatically cut off most auxiliary circuits when the engine is off, including the air conditioning. As a result, when the car is started again, the sudden load from the air conditioning can place excessive strain on the engine. 3. It is not recommended to keep the air conditioning on for long periods while the car is idle. Running the air conditioning for too long while the engine is idling can lead to carbon buildup in the engine and damage the vehicle.