As the temperature drops during the autumn and winter months, you may be tempted to turn off the air conditioning in your car to save fuel and keep the cabin warmer. However, running the air conditioning system is actually beneficial for several reasons, and can help keep you comfortable and safe on the road. In this article, we will explain why you should consider switching on the air conditioning in your car during the colder months, and how it can help prevent issues such as foggy windows, musty odors, and reduced fuel efficiency. We will also provide you with practical tips on how to use your car’s air conditioning system effectively to stay comfortable and safe, no matter what the weather outside. So, if you’re wondering whether to switch on the air conditioning in your car this autumn and winter, read on to discover why it’s a smart move.
One of the main features of any air conditioning unit is the dehumidification of the air. During the cold season, condensation can build up inside the car on cold surfaces as a result of the temperature change due to the air being heated by the heater alone. As a result, the percentage of humidity in the passenger compartment increases, which is not conducive to a healthy microclimate. Add to this the moisture on the driver and passenger rubber mats. If only the cabin heater is switched on, this moisture will start to evaporate in some parts of the interior, dampening the air even further. Since the windows are almost always up in winter, this moisture doesn’t go anywhere and the water cycle inside the car continues until spring. This causes the windows to mist up and reduces visibility.
In order to dry air inside the car, it is necessary to switch on the air conditioner once a week for half an hour as a precaution. If you find frost on frosty mornings on some surfaces of the interior, get rid of it by switching on the air conditioner in the heating of the interior in the mode of closed circulation.
In regions with sharply continental climate, where summer is very hot and winter is rather cold, drivers intuitively do not switch on the air conditioner from November to March, because the climate control is actively used only during summer heat. However, with a long idle time, mechanisms of automobile conditioners can lose grease on mobile parts of the compressor, and rubber seals become dry and cracked. To avoid this happening and to ensure long life for your car’s air conditioner, we recommend running the system at least once a week for 30 minutes.
