What happens if you turn off your car with the air conditioning on?

Car air conditioning is an essential component during the summer months, and the vast majority of drivers throughout Spain use their climate control system while driving . Although this component is vital for comfortable driving on the most stiflingly hot days, the reality is that if not used properly, it can cause more than one problem with your car.

Proper use of the car's air conditioning is one of the most important factors when driving in the summer. Although many believe that the ideal is to leave it on as much as possible, there are small gestures that can make a big difference. One of them is turning off the car without first turning off the air conditioning, as this action is quite harmful to both the vehicle's mechanics and even the health of its occupants.

Why you should turn off your car's air conditioning

On the mechanical side, turning off the car with the air conditioning on can have a significant impact on the car battery, as the climate control system consumes a lot of energy, which in turn reduces the battery's lifespan . Therefore, it's best to turn it off a few minutes before coming to a complete stop, as this will maintain the cabin temperature and prevent a serious problem with that component of the car.

Furthermore, and although many drivers don't believe it, leaving the air conditioning on after the car has been turned off can also lead to health problems, as moisture can accumulate in the vents, which in turn could cause corrosion and mold in the air conditioning ducts . This, ultimately, is very harmful to all passengers in the car, which is why it is vital to turn off the system before stopping the vehicle.

Driving with the air conditioning on for as long as possible is very tempting on days when the high summer temperatures wreak havoc, but the truth is that doing so is far more dangerous than many people think. If your vehicle's refrigerator continues to run even with the engine off, you'll likely need to visit the repair shop in the near future.

Therefore, it is essential that drivers turn off the air conditioning a few minutes before turning off the engine this summer. Although it may seem like a trivial action with no consequences, the reality is that this small gesture can increase the life of the car's battery and even prevent future health problems for those traveling in it.