What does the AC button in a car air conditioner mean?
2 Answers
The AC button in a car air conditioner is the switch for the cooling function. When cooling is needed, press the AC button and adjust the temperature selector to the blue section, then turn on the fan switch to allow cold air to blow out. For automatic air conditioners, you can also press the AUTO button simultaneously, and the system will automatically adjust the cabin temperature. A car air conditioning system consists of more than just the compressor; it also includes components like the condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve. The compressor is one of the main components of the refrigeration system, responsible for compressing and transporting refrigerant vapor. The installation rate of air conditioning in domestic passenger cars has reached nearly 100%, and it is also increasing year by year in other vehicle types. Car air conditioning has become an essential functional component in automobiles.
The AC button in a car's air conditioning system is essentially the compressor's switch. Turning it on activates the entire cooling system. I rely on this feature during highway drives—once pressed, cold air blows powerfully, making the car feel like a fridge despite the 30+°C heat outside. The principle involves the compressor compressing refrigerant into a high-temperature gas, which then dissipates heat through the condenser, turning into a liquid. It passes through the expansion valve into the evaporator, absorbing cabin heat, and this cycle continuously lowers the interior temperature. However, avoid setting it to the lowest temperature for prolonged periods to prevent 'air conditioning sickness'; I find 22°C most comfortable. In winter, heating doesn’t require AC—engine heat suffices—but for defogging on rainy days, auto AC activation works exceptionally well.
