Will the car drip water when the air conditioning is on?
2 Answers
When the air conditioning is on, the car may drip water. It is normal for the vehicle's air conditioning system to drip water underneath the car during operation. This water is the condensate from the air conditioning system. Reason for formation: When the air conditioning is cooling, the temperature of the evaporator and the air ducts leading to the passenger compartment is very low, generally around 0-5 degrees Celsius. The water vapor in the outside air will condense and liquefy on the walls and casing of the air conditioning system at such low temperatures. If there is no way to drain this water, it can cause dampness around the air conditioning system and corrosion of components. Therefore, vehicles are designed with drainage pipes to collect and discharge the condensate. Location of the drainage pipe: Generally, the outlet leading outside the car is located directly below the center of the dashboard. When projected underneath the car, it is basically at the front of the transmission.
It's completely normal for water to drip! As a frequent driver, I often notice small water droplets under the car when the air conditioning is on during summer. This mainly happens because the AC system extracts moisture from the air during the cooling process, forming condensation that is then drained outside through the drainage pipe. If you see small puddles on the ground after parking, that's just the system doing its job. However, if water is dripping inside the car—like wet carpets or a musty smell—that's a problem, possibly due to clogged drainage pipes from dust or leaves. I recommend cleaning the drainage outlets annually during car washes; just flush them with a hose to prevent potential mold issues. In fact, this dripping is a good sign—it proves the AC is cooling efficiently, so don’t mistake it for a malfunction and turn it off. Remember, proper maintenance keeps your car fresh and comfortable.
