Are you one of those people who turn on the car's AC but keep the windows open? It sounds like a simple and easy action. But who would have thought that just because of this trivial action, the consequences could be very bad for the car.
Opening the window while the car is turning on the AC is not a good idea, even though it is very comfortable. Otomodify will discuss in detail why this habit can have a bad impact on the car.
Wasteful fuel
The habit of turning on the car's AC while opening the windows actually causes increased fuel consumption. This is because turning on the car's AC requires power from the engine. And then this power comes from fuel. When you turn on the AC and then open the window, the cold air from the car will be quickly replaced by hot air from outside. That way the AC has to work harder to cool the room or car cabin.
The AC compressor load increases and automatically requires more power so that fuel consumption is much higher. So the longer you leave the car windows open, the harder the AC in the car works, the more wasteful the fuel.
AC performance decreases
AC is designed to cool the car cabin. When the window is opened, cold air will immediately come out of the car. This makes the temperature in the cabin unstable. Finally, even though the AC is on, you will still feel hot and uncomfortable. This is the same as wasting energy.
Increased engine load
The AC in the car is directly connected to the engine through a drive belt system. When the AC works harder because the cabin temperature does not cool down due to the open window, the engine's workload also increases.
The impact is that the car can feel heavier when driven, especially on uphill roads or in traffic jams. In addition, vehicle performance can decrease because most of the engine power is sucked up to support the performance of the AC which is working extra hard.
Pollution risk
In addition to being used to cool the room, the AC in the car also functions to filter air from outside so that the air in the cabin remains clean and fresh. And when you open the window, dirty air and pollution can enter the car. This is made worse if you go through a congested and dusty road. As a result, the air in the car becomes dirty, smells bad and this is certainly very unhealthy, especially for children or those with respiratory problems.
Reduces the lifespan of the AC
When you open the car window while you are using the AC, it means that you are forcing the AC to work harder and not properly. The longer you press the AC, the faster the components in the AC will be damaged. Especially in the compressor section. The compressor is a vital part that has the task of pumping and circulating freon throughout the cooling system.
The compressor can wear out because it works harder, especially if it is done every day. The price of a car AC compressor is not cheap. Not to mention the cost of replacing it. So, the trivial habit of opening the car window can result in spending quite a lot of money.
Impact on the environment
It turns out that something as simple as opening the car window when turning on the AC can also have an impact on the environment. How come? We know that AC that works harder than usual requires more power and wastes fuel. This means that gas emissions also increase. Maybe if only one person does it, the impact will not be visible. However, if everyone does it, of course this can be a serious problem for the environment.
As we know, motor vehicle emissions are one of the main contributors to air pollution. So if you still do this action that you think is trivial, it means you are a selfish person.
Security issues
Opening the windows while driving, with or without AC, is very dangerous. It often happens in big cities that are prone to crime and can trigger theft or mugging, especially if you stop at a red light.
So besides having an impact on vehicle efficiency, this habit can also increase the risk of street crime.
Opening the windows when the AC is on means waste?
The short answer is yes. From the points above, we can see that cars with the AC on but the windows open are more wasteful of energy and then become wasteful of fuel. Not only is it a fuel problem, damage from opening the windows when the AC is on will also cost a lot of money.
Conclusion
Turning on the car's AC while opening the window may sound trivial, but the effects are quite numerous and cannot be underestimated. Starting from wasting fuel, decreasing AC performance, increasing engine load, entering pollution, to the risk of component damage—all of which can happen just because of one small habit.
If you want to drive comfortably, efficiently, and safely, make it a habit to close all windows before turning on the AC. That way, you can enjoy the cool air without having to pay more for gasoline or vehicle servicing.
Remember, car maintenance is not just about changing the oil and routine servicing. Small habits while driving can also have a big impact if done continuously. So, let's change this trivial habit for the sake of mutual comfort and safety!