What happens if the car air conditioning AC is not turned on?
3 Answers
The AC button in the car is the air conditioning switch. It does not need to be turned on when using the heater, only when cooling is required. Below are relevant details: 1. Zone introduction: The blue zone is for cold air, and the red zone is for warm air. Make sure to select the correct zone. In summer, press the AC switch to activate cooling. 2. Additional information: Do not rush to turn on the air conditioning. Start the car first and wait a while before turning on the AC. Turning on the AC immediately after starting the car increases engine load and may cause damage. Cold air sinks while warm air rises, so adjusting the vents to blow upwards can maximize the air conditioning's efficiency.
I usually drive to and from work, and when I don't turn on the AC, the car feels like a steamer, especially during the hot summer months. I've tried just using the fan, but the air blowing in is hot with no cooling effect at all—it's so uncomfortable that I end up sweating profusely. The upside is that it saves some fuel since the AC compressor isn't running, reducing the engine's load, which can save about 10% in fuel consumption. When not using the AC, I tend to crack the windows for ventilation, but during traffic jams or on highways, the wind noise becomes unbearable. Sometimes, even on rainy days, I have to use the fan mode, but without dehumidification, the air stays humid, and the windows fog up. Overall, skipping the AC means trading comfort for savings—it’s manageable in cooler weather, but during extreme heat, I can’t stand it and have to turn on the AC immediately to cool down.
I've been driving for many years, and the main reason I don't use the AC is to save fuel, because the compressor consumes engine power and increases fuel consumption. When I don't use the AC, I can only rely on the fan mode for airflow. In winter, the warm air is quite comfortable as it heats the air using the engine's heat, but in summer it's unbearable as the temperature doesn't drop at all, and I just have to endure the stuffiness. In the long run, this does reduce wear and tear, lower maintenance costs, and improve fuel efficiency. Of course, it depends on the situation—opening windows on highways actually increases drag and doesn't save fuel, so I usually avoid using AC at low speeds in the city. The key is to maintain ventilation by using the external air circulation to prevent odors inside the car. This method works well when the weather is nice. While not using the AC saves some money, it sacrifices comfort, so I think balancing its use is best.
