Is it okay to park in neutral and turn on the air conditioner?
2 Answers
Parking in neutral and running the air conditioner can harm the vehicle. The explanations are as follows: 1. Reasons: Parking in neutral and running the air conditioner keeps the vehicle idling for a long time. The water temperature should be between 85-90°C for the engine to operate optimally. Otherwise, incomplete fuel combustion can lead to excessive carbon buildup. 2. Precautions for car air conditioning: After running the air conditioner for a while, observe the engine's water temperature. If the temperature rises abnormally, it could be due to a dirty condenser surface (e.g., covered with willow catkins, dust, etc.), a non-functioning electric fan, or a faulty pressure controller. If any of these issues occur while using the air conditioner, immediately stop the system and seek service at a maintenance station.
As a driver with over a decade of experience, idling in neutral with the AC on isn't a major issue but requires some precautions. The engine must be running to power the AC compressor, as the battery alone can't sustain it for more than half an hour. This practice is common at red lights, but try not to exceed 10 minutes since incomplete combustion during idling may allow carbon monoxide from exhaust to enter through AC vents. I once did this in an enclosed garage while waiting and ended up dizzy and nauseous, forcing me to open windows immediately. Moreover, prolonged idling harms both engine and transmission, increasing carbon deposits and fuel consumption. It's acceptable for brief city stops, but for waits exceeding 30 minutes, it's better to turn off the engine and ventilate with open windows.