Is it okay to sleep in the car with the air conditioner on and the engine running?
1 Answers
No, it is very dangerous. Prolonged idling can easily produce toxic gases, which are highly likely to enter the car through the air conditioning system, leading to potential poisoning over time. This is especially true in poorly ventilated areas such as underground parking lots or garages. Below is additional information: Turn off the air conditioner before shutting down the engine: You should turn off the air conditioner before shutting down the engine. If the air conditioner is not turned off before shutting down, it will automatically restart the next time the engine is turned on, which unnecessarily increases the engine load. However, it is important to note that you should switch to the external circulation mode either before or after shutting down the engine. This is because the evaporator, which has been cooling continuously, will accumulate small water droplets on its surface after the car is parked. If left unattended, bacteria can grow inside the evaporator over time, leading to a musty odor. Avoid staying in the car for too long while idling: When idling, you should not stay in the car for too long. The exact duration depends on the environmental conditions and climate. If there is wind, staying for about 15 minutes is generally safe, but if there is no wind, do not exceed 5 minutes. Car exhaust contains a large amount of toxic gases, especially carbon monoxide, which is present in higher concentrations during idling. Since carbon monoxide is denser, the exhaust emitted from the tailpipe can create a high-concentration zone of carbon monoxide around the car, which can enter the cabin through the air vents and accumulate inside. Therefore, when the car is stationary—whether with the air conditioner on, the heater on, or simply idling—it is dangerous to stay inside for extended periods.
