How long will the air conditioner run if the car’s engine is turned off?

How long will car's air conditioner run if turn off the engine?

Have you ever wondered how long your car’s air conditioner will continue to cool your vehicle after you turn off the engine? It’s a common question that arises in hot weather, especially when you need to step out of your car for a short while. In this blog post, we will explore the factors that determine how long the air conditioner can run without the car’s engine and provide some practical examples to help you better understand the situation.

car ac

Things that affect how long the air conditioner runs:

  1. The capacity of the battery: When the car’s engine is off, the air conditioner gets its power from the battery. The battery can only hold so much power, and running the air conditioner uses a lot of power. How long the air conditioner can run mostly depends on how charged the battery is and how well it is in general.
  2. Age and condition of the battery: An older or weaker battery may not be able to power the air conditioner as well. If your battery isn’t in good shape or is getting close to the end of its life, it might not last as long as a newer, healthier one would.
  3. Ambient temperature: How long the air conditioner can keep cooling the car depends on the temperature outside. If it’s really hot outside, the air conditioner will have to work harder to keep the inside of the car at a comfortable temperature, which may make it run for less time.

Some examples of when an air conditioner works:

Example 1: Let’s say you have a brand-new car with a fully charged battery and park it in the shade when it’s 85°F (29.4°C) outside. In this case, the air conditioner might be able to run for 20 to 30 minutes before the battery loses most of its charge.

Example 2: Now, let’s say you have an older car with a battery that isn’t as strong as it used to be. If you park it in direct sunlight on a 100°F (37.8°C) day when it’s really hot, the air conditioner might only work for 10 to 15 minutes before the battery voltage drops too low.

Conclusion:
How long your car’s air conditioner will run without the engine depends on a number of things, such as the size, age, and condition of the battery, as well as the temperature outside. Even though it’s hard to say exactly how long it will take because it depends so much on the car, knowing these things will help you make better decisions.

If you want to drive comfortably in hot weather, it’s best not to rely on the air conditioner alone when the engine is off for a long time. To keep the car from getting too hot, try parking in the shade, using sunshades, and keeping the windows cracked. Checking the health of your car’s battery every once in a while can also help your air conditioner run for longer.

Keep in mind that your safety and health should always come first. If the temperature inside the car gets too hot or the battery voltage drops a lot, it’s best to turn on the engine to power the air conditioner and cool down the cabin properly.