Until recently, air conditioning in a car was considered a luxury and was installed mainly on business and premium class cars. Nowadays, even budget cars have a climate system. Air conditioning is a very useful option, especially on hot, sultry days. The car gets very hot under the sun (even tinting doesn’t help). And driving with the windows open is not very comfortable. But as practice shows, turning on this system brings benefits not only in summer, but also in winter. Is it possible to turn on the air conditioner in a car in winter, and how to do it correctly without damaging the car? We will talk about this in our article today.
How it works?
This system consists of several elements:
- Compressor.
- Cabin radiator (evaporator).
- Drainage holes.
- Receiver-dryer.
- External radiator (condenser).
- Expansion valve.
- Connecting tubes and sealing elements.
The operating principle of a car air conditioner is no different from a household refrigerator. So, in both cases, the work is based on the transition of freon from a liquid to a gaseous state. Freon constantly circulates through the system, ensuring the absorption of large amounts of heat. The system can also give off heat. In this case, warm air will flow from the air conditioner. But, regardless of climate settings, the refrigerant on its way to the compressor should only be in a gaseous state. Even a small volume of liquid freon threatens to break the mechanism. In this regard, the system uses different sensors that control heating. Based on these readings, the system can force the compressor to shut down.
It is also recommended to monitor the level of freon in the system. Its volume during the winter period is reduced by approximately 5-10 percent. How to resume it? To do this, the machine is connected to a specialized stand, where the system is first checked for leaks, and then new refrigerant is pumped in. The cost of such a service at a service station is about one thousand rubles including diagnostics.
Why is downtime dangerous?
Many people use air conditioners without heating. Thus, the system is active only from May to September. The remaining months it is in a “frozen” state. This is very harmful to the system. The fact is that the air conditioner components are covered with an oil film. If not used for a long time, the oil flows to the lowest point of the system. Because of this, all air conditioner elements will run dry at first. And the more time the climate control has not been used, the less lubrication it will have.
Thus, production and dust are formed in the system, which then spreads throughout the entire system. This dust can linger on the walls even after washing and replacing the compressor.
The next point is tubes and seals. Do I need to turn on the air conditioner in winter? If you don't use it often, the tubes will dry out and crack. Condensation will also appear in the system. After a long period of inactivity, the air conditioner will blow an unpleasant odor. You will have to treat the evaporator with various antiseptics. But to get to the unit, you will have to disassemble the front panel of the car.
Vehicle air conditioning system
But first, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with how the air conditioner works as part of the car’s climate system.
Typical composition of AK:
- compressor, which is called the “heart” of the device. It is the most expensive air conditioner unit;
- a condenser designed to cool warm air. Works in tandem with a fan;
- a dehumidifier, whose tasks, together with the filtration system, include cleaning the refrigerant;
- piping system for circulating refrigerant in the system;
- a set of sensors that regulate the operation of the air conditioner in different modes;
- rubber gaskets and seals.
In addition to basic components, a car air conditioner can be equipped with additional functionality, for example, means of reporting the need to replace filters, refill refrigerant, or clean the condenser.
The air conditioning system requires periodic maintenance; the compressor, which ensures the functioning of all components, is most susceptible to breakdowns.
About frequency of use
When can you turn on the air conditioner? Experts say that the maximum duration of downtime is up to two weeks. Then processes that are destructive to the system begin.
They cause cracking of pipes, oil starvation and unpleasant odors due to accumulated condensation. Is it necessary to turn on the air conditioner for a long time in winter? When performing preventive maintenance, 10-15 minutes of system operation is enough. During this period, the oil level in it will resume and the accumulated condensate will disappear.
How to use it correctly?
When considering the question of whether it is possible to turn on the air conditioner in a car in winter, we will highlight several important points during preventive measures:
- The system must be started at a temperature not lower than -5 degrees Celsius. You need to turn on the air conditioning only when the engine is warm and in conjunction with the heater. Why is this so? The fact is that moisture settles on the evaporator. It does not have time to melt at too low temperatures. And starting the system on a cold engine risks getting ice crystals into the air conditioner components. This leads to its immediate breakdown.
- Along with the air conditioner, it is worth turning on the recirculation mode. This is done when there are no passengers in the cabin (otherwise recirculation will produce a greenhouse effect). This is a mandatory measure. In this case, the air for the air conditioner will be taken not from the street, but from the interior, where it is warmer. This will help the system warm up faster.
Interesting observations
Creating a favorable and comfortable microclimate means maintaining a certain temperature and humidity level. Moreover, this applies not only to premises (residential, work, industrial) - some of us spend most of our time in the car due to the specifics of our work.
In essence, this is not about achieving the required level of comfort. Back in the distant 50s, some observations were noticed. Thus, at a temperature of +30 °C and above, a person’s reaction rate decreases. And this is especially important for the driver, since situations on the road require increased attention and quick reaction.
Exceeding +25 °C results in increased fatigue. And at +10 °C the body may become hypothermic. Few of us can withstand the effects of temperature, especially its fluctuations. A car air conditioner provides the driver with the necessary level of comfort that allows him to always be in a good mood.
What to do if the air temperature is below -5 degrees?
As we said earlier, liquid freon entering the compressor is undesirable. Is it possible to turn on the air conditioning in the car in winter in this case? Absolutely not. But what about those whose winter lasts 5-6 months?
The only way out is prevention in a heated garage. Only in such a room can the safe operation of the system be guaranteed. If the car is relatively new, then the system will not start at all in severe frost - the electronics will prevent a fatal step for the system and turn off the power to the compressor.
Modern climate control - different cars with different features
Every self-respecting manufacturer today is developing one or another climate control system to provide maximum comfort and a minimum number of settings for the car owner. These are very technological devices that are becoming more widespread and more modern technologies every year. But there are certain specifics of operating the climate control system that must be taken into account when using this installation. The specifics depend on the characteristics of the system itself:
- climate control with one sensor (which is usually located near the ceiling) does not immediately respond to maintaining the declared temperature, because the climate at the feet of passengers and at the ceiling is always different, such a setting must be adjusted gradually, without sudden changes;
- many sensors in different places allow the driver to relax more and set just the desired temperature, most of these settings work efficiently and offer quite soft default modes;
- modern technological climate controls from leading manufacturers have received a lot of new technologies that allow them to gently and efficiently comply with the established climate limits without changes and too sharp air flows;
- An air conditioner in a car can have various modifications and methods of operation, so it’s worth finding out exactly how this system functions in your car - this will help you operate the device smoothly without harm to it and your health.
It is always worth remembering that high-tech devices protect themselves. For example, modern climate control in a Volkswagen or Lexus will not turn on in the mode required by the driver if we are talking about extreme operating conditions. In this case, the car will warn of a danger to the equipment and begin to gradually increase the required temperature, gently passing all important barriers. Also, modern cars often have a self-diagnosis system, which allows you to quickly identify possible problems and turn off the equipment. Older cars or less expensive cars do not have such systems; this task is transferred directly to the driver. We invite you to watch a short video about the operation of the air conditioner and its maintenance:
Air conditioning and consumption
Many people do not want to turn on this system, citing increased fuel consumption. Moreover, even in summer such motorists drive with their windows open, not to mention in winter.
Yes, the air conditioner takes some energy from the engine. But this system consumes no more than 0.5-1.5 liters of fuel per hour. We also note that when driving with the windows open, fuel consumption increases by 1-2 liters due to worsening aerodynamics. Therefore, the savings are highly questionable. But frequent downtime of the system can ruin its important components. And this is already a serious problem. Air conditioner repair will cost from $200. Therefore, once a week we make sure to turn it on for at least 10-15 minutes.
Drawing conclusions
Is it possible to turn on the air conditioning in the car in winter? It is possible and even necessary. This is a necessary preventative measure for the climate system. But you should know how to do it correctly. You cannot start the system in severe frost. It is also forbidden to turn it on when the engine is not warmed up. Otherwise, you will only shorten the service life of your car air conditioner. Knowing how to properly turn on the air conditioner in winter will ensure long and reliable operation of the system. And by summer, you will not die from the unpleasant smell of mold that formed due to the system being idle in winter.
Not a luxury, but a necessity!
Currently, air conditioning is present in almost every foreign or domestic car of medium price category. And its activation, by and large, is done purely reflexively, similar to how we always close our eyes when sneezing. Many owners of their vehicles have no idea how exactly refrigeration equipment works. Therefore, there is a high probability that it is being used incorrectly.
Manufacturers make every effort to make using the air conditioner as comfortable as possible. All the driver needs to do is press the power button and select the desired temperature mode. The system will do the rest without human intervention.
Despite the ease of controlling the air conditioner, there are certain nuances, some of which are known to many drivers. But there are also those that are difficult to detect on your own. Therefore, it is necessary not only to know how to properly turn on the air conditioner in a car, but also to understand a little about its operation.
