I purchased a 2005 Hundai Accent with a built-in air conditioner. This is the first time in my life that I ever drove a car with an air conditioner. My question is this: Suppose my car has been parked for five hours. If I turn on my air-conditioner one minute after starting my car, will I get effective air conditioning to the same extent as though I let the motor run for ten minutes before I turned on the air conditioner? I know that in winter time every car I drove I had to let the motor run for ten minutes in order to get heat from my heater? Thank you for your response.
air conditioning
Jun 08, 2005
4 Replies
nope, makes no difference. I like to turn the A/C off when shutting the car off just so the starter motor doesn't have to spin over the compressor, but as soon as the engine is idling OK go ahead and switch it on, no need to roast yourself.
The difference between the two is, the heater just basically takes waste heat from the engine's cooling system to heat the cabin, therefore if the engine isn't up to operating temp there's not much heat to be had. The A/C is basically a heat pump, and it's a belt driven accessory, it does not need the engine to be warm to work. If anything running it will help the engine warm up quicker.
nate
The compressor clutch, evaporator and condenser fans aren't energized (on any car's I know of) while the key is in the 'Start' position anyway. They're powered through the 'accessory' side of the switch, and aren't activated until the key is released to 'run' position. Some even have computer controlled 'delay' features. In reality, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you leave the A/C on or not when you shut down/start up...
Erik
On some older cars, the accessories don't drop out when you start the car. Old habits dies hard I guess.
nate
Yeah but not many people are still driving 50's Studebakers with hang on a/c.
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