Turn Off the AC Before or After Turning Off the Engine?

[StZachary]

You should turn off the AC before shutting down the engine. Turning off the engine before the AC can harm the engine, as it will start with the AC load the next time the vehicle is ignited. Such a high load can damage the engine. Regardless of the vehicle model, if audio-visual equipment, AC, and other onboard devices are not turned off when shutting down the engine, these devices will automatically operate when the car is started again, increasing energy consumption. The best practice is to turn off the AC a few minutes before reaching your destination. The driver can switch to natural ventilation, allowing the temperature inside the AC ducts to rise and eliminate the temperature difference with the outside. This helps maintain relative dryness in the AC system and prevents mold growth. It's also important to wait two to three minutes after starting the vehicle, allowing the engine to be properly lubricated, before turning on the AC. Hazards of not turning off the AC before shutting down the engine: Starting the car with the AC running can, over time, increase load pressure and cause damage to the engine. After starting the vehicle, wait two minutes before turning on the AC and set the fan to maximum speed. This helps cool the interior quickly and reduces bacterial growth at the AC vents. The fan speed after turning on the AC has little impact on fuel consumption.