Is it okay to leave the AC on when the car is turned off?
1 Answers
It is possible to leave the AC on when the car is turned off. If the air conditioning is not turned off before shutting down the engine, the AC will automatically turn on the next time the engine is started, which unnecessarily increases the engine's load. However, it is important to note that the external circulation should be turned on either before or after turning off the engine. This is because the evaporator, which has been continuously cooling, will accumulate many small water droplets on its surface after parking. If left unattended, bacteria can grow inside the evaporator over time, leading to a musty odor. Below are some tips for using the car's air conditioning: 1. Ventilate before turning on the AC: After the car has been exposed to prolonged sunlight, open all four doors and the sunroof to allow air to circulate inside the car for 3 minutes. This quickly reduces the interior temperature, making the AC more effective when turned on. 2. Use the internal circulation wisely: The internal circulation blocks hot air from outside, creating a sealed space inside the car. This allows the air inside to circulate quickly under the AC's effect, achieving rapid cooling. Once the interior temperature has dropped, it is recommended to switch to external circulation every 30 minutes to purify the air inside the car, then switch back to internal circulation after 5 minutes. 3. Turn off the AC in time: Turn off the air conditioning 5 minutes before parking to protect the engine and save fuel.