Should the Air Conditioning Be Turned Off Before Shutting Down a BMW 5 Series?
2 Answers
It is necessary to turn off the air conditioning before shutting down a BMW 5 Series. Devices that need to be turned off before shutdown: All electrical devices inside the car must be turned off before shutdown, including the air conditioning, audio system, and lights. Hazards of not turning off the air conditioning before shutdown: During the next ignition, the starter motor will use a large current to start the engine, creating an extremely high instantaneous current. If the car's electrical devices are not turned off in time, it can cause short circuits in the electrical system or insufficient instantaneous power supply, affecting their lifespan. In severe cases, it may even blow the fuse box and damage the electrical devices. Leaving electronic devices on while jump-starting the car is harmful to the battery, leading to battery depletion and overuse, which can shorten its lifespan.
I've been driving a BMW 5 Series for about seven or eight years, and turning off the AC before shutting down the engine is something you really can't take lightly. Every time before parking, I make it a habit to turn off the AC—not just to save a bit on fuel costs, but more importantly, to protect the vehicle. Think about it: when the engine first starts, it's already under strain. If the AC kicks in at the same time, the compressor's load and the sudden high current can really damage the battery. My mechanic friend told me that doing this long-term can cut the battery's lifespan by at least half. This is especially true in summer when the AC is running at full blast—the compressor's power is at its peak, and the damage is even more noticeable. Nowadays, I start turning off the AC about thirty seconds before shutting down the engine, along with the seat ventilation, to give the system some buffer time. Those few seconds really don’t inconvenience me, and after making it a habit, my battery replacement cycle has extended from two years to four—totally worth it.
