What gear should be engaged when idling with the air conditioning on in a car?
1 Answers
When the car is idling in park and you do not intend to drive in the short term, it is more appropriate to use the P (Park) gear. The P gear itself is the parking gear. While the transmission stops operating, the internal locking mechanism of the transmission locks the output shaft, preventing the wheels from turning. However, this locking mechanism cannot withstand excessive force, so it is still necessary to use the parking brake system. Below is relevant information about idling with the air conditioning on in a car: 1. Whether the air conditioning is on or off has no relation to which gear is engaged when parked. The air conditioning is powered by the engine; as long as the engine is running, the air conditioning operates. The choice of gear follows basic common sense—neutral (N) when waiting at a red light and P (Park) when stopping for an extended period. 2. Avoid idling with the air conditioning on for prolonged periods. If the air conditioning is left on for a long time with the air circulation set to internal recirculation, the air inside the car will gradually become polluted, deteriorate, and harmful gases (such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides) will increase, posing risks to health and even life safety.