Is it okay to leave the car parked on the roadside with the air conditioning on?
2 Answers
It is not advisable to leave the car parked on the roadside with the air conditioning on. The impacts of idling with the air conditioning running are as follows: 1. Carbon buildup: Prolonged idling can lead to carbon buildup in the engine, which causes incomplete combustion of gasoline, resulting in engine shaking. Carbon deposits in the engine reduce engine power, causing uneven power output and gradual degradation. 2. Increased fuel consumption: This leads to higher fuel usage, increasing financial burden. 3. Difficulty starting: Cold starts become difficult, meaning the car may have trouble igniting and starting. 4. Safety hazards: Severe carbon buildup in the combustion chamber can cause cylinder knocking, produce noise during low-speed acceleration, damage pistons and crankshafts, and lead to engine overheating, significantly compromising vehicle safety.
I've been driving for over a decade and often see people parked by the roadside resting with the AC on. Honestly, this habit needs to change. First, it can quickly drain the battery, making it hard to start the car—especially problematic for older vehicles. Second, there's a safety risk: running the AC in enclosed spaces like garages can lead to carbon monoxide buildup, which is extremely dangerous. Once, while waiting for a friend with the AC on for half an hour, I returned to find the battery nearly dead. Thankfully, I didn’t suffer from poisoning. My advice is to only use the AC briefly in well-ventilated areas, like cracking the windows for airflow or using the recirculation mode to limit usage time. This protects the battery and avoids accidents. Remember to check your car’s condition regularly, maintaining the battery and AC system to ensure everything works properly. While resting with the AC on may be comfortable, safety always comes first.
