What Impact Does Idling with Air Conditioning Have on the Engine?
2 Answers
Idling with air conditioning can cause certain wear and tear on the engine, potentially shortening the maintenance cycle. Below is an introduction related to the engine: 1. Introduction: An engine is a machine capable of converting non-mechanical energy into mechanical energy. 2. Classification: Includes internal combustion engines (reciprocating piston engines), external combustion engines (such as Stirling engines, steam engines, etc.), jet engines, electric motors, and more. 3. External Combustion Engine: An external combustion engine means the fuel burns outside the engine. 4. Internal Combustion Engine: An internal combustion engine, or reciprocating piston engine, differs most from an external combustion engine in that the fuel burns inside it. There are many types of internal combustion engines, with common gasoline and diesel engines being typical examples.
I'm quite qualified to speak on this matter, as I often take naps with the AC on during long-distance drives at service areas. When the engine idles to power the air conditioning compressor, incomplete fuel combustion easily leads to carbon buildup. Two months ago, I opened up my engine and saw black sludge accumulated behind the throttle valve. Moreover, modern cars' auto start-stop systems won't engage when the AC is running, causing rapid battery drain. Last time I forgot to turn off the AC for two hours, it completely killed my battery. My advice is not to run the AC for more than half an hour in summer - otherwise, the repair costs could equal half a year's fuel expenses. For extended parking with cooling needs, ride-hailing drivers like us have switched to using car-mounted mini fans, which are far more worry-free than AC systems.
