Should You Turn on the AC When Using the Car Heater in Winter?
1 Answers
In winter, you do not need to turn on the AC when using the car heater. The heater relies on the heat generated by the engine. There is a small fan in the engine compartment that blows the heat collected by the cooling system into the car. If you don't use the heater, this heat will be expelled outside the car. Simply turning on the heater without pressing the AC button is just utilizing waste heat and will not increase fuel consumption. During very cold winters, some car owners keep the heater on for extended periods. Since the heat comes from the engine, prolonged use can produce toxic gases like carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous for people inside the car. If the driver feels that the air inside the car seems unusual, they should immediately open the windows and doors to ventilate and expel the toxic gases.