Should the AC in the car be turned on in winter?
3 Answers
In winter, the AC in the car should not be turned on. The AC is the air conditioning cooling switch, and the principles of warm air and cold air are different. Warm air only requires adjusting the air conditioning button and is generated by the heat dissipation from the engine. There is a small fan in the engine compartment that blows the heat collected by the cooling system into the car. If it rains or snows and the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car is significant, the front windshield is prone to fogging up. At this time, do not turn on the AC button; simply adjust the warm air outlet direction to the setting that blows air onto the front windshield, and the fog can be easily removed in a few minutes. The car air conditioning is used to adjust and control the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and air flow inside the car cabin to the optimal state, providing a comfortable riding environment for passengers and reducing travel fatigue. It also creates good working conditions for the driver and plays an important role in ensuring safe driving as a ventilation device. It generally includes a cooling device, a heating device, and a ventilation device.
I have a lot to say about using the AC in winter. Actually, the AC button isn't just for cold air—it controls the entire air conditioning compressor. After 15 years of driving, I've found that turning on the AC in winter is great for dehumidifying and preventing window fogging—just imagine how dangerous it is when your windshield gets fogged up. Although running the compressor consumes a bit more fuel, safety comes first. Especially on rainy or snowy days when windows tend to fog up easily, turning on the AC with warm air blowing on the glass clears it up in just two minutes. My advice is to start by turning on the AC to defog the windows when you get in the car. Once the interior warms up, you can turn it off, but with automatic climate control, you don't need to worry—it adjusts itself.
As a mom who drives kids every day, I've done my research. In winter, you don't need to turn on AC for heating, but using AC for dehumidification is particularly useful. Last week when the temperature dropped, I tried it - with AC on, the windows didn't fog up, but within ten minutes of turning it off, they were completely white. Just be careful not to use the foot mode with outside air circulation, as that actually introduces moisture. Newer cars are smart these days - automatic climate control will activate AC for dehumidification in winter. If you're doing it manually, just turn it off once the cabin is dry to save some fuel costs.
