View Poll Results: AC off or on when turning off the car
Turn Off
39
51.32%
Leave On
28
36.84%
Whiskers
9
11.84%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll
AC on or off when turning off the car.
#1
Nom Nom Nom Nom
Thread Starter
AC on or off when turning off the car.
Just like the title states. Do you turn off the AC prior to turning off your car?
Personally, I always have. Just a habit. Turn down the radio, turn off the AC, turn off the car. For no other reason than a long time ago, my mom told me that it was the right way of doing things because it saved some wear and tear on the car, but with today's technology, I kind of feel that this isn't the same method of thinking.
With the amount of cars today that have remote start and the draw to that is getting inside a hot/cold car depending on the time of year. Is leaving the AC on not that big of deal?
The only real support I was able to find through Google was to turn it off 5 min prior to turning the car off to dry out the evaporator so that you don't get the mold smell. I can deal with the 10 seconds of the mold smell if that is all the damage that can be done.
I've always been curious if this is just myth or if there is any merit to it. Plus, I just got the wife a new truck with remote start... So that is the other reason I am questioning this now.
Personally, I always have. Just a habit. Turn down the radio, turn off the AC, turn off the car. For no other reason than a long time ago, my mom told me that it was the right way of doing things because it saved some wear and tear on the car, but with today's technology, I kind of feel that this isn't the same method of thinking.
With the amount of cars today that have remote start and the draw to that is getting inside a hot/cold car depending on the time of year. Is leaving the AC on not that big of deal?
The only real support I was able to find through Google was to turn it off 5 min prior to turning the car off to dry out the evaporator so that you don't get the mold smell. I can deal with the 10 seconds of the mold smell if that is all the damage that can be done.
I've always been curious if this is just myth or if there is any merit to it. Plus, I just got the wife a new truck with remote start... So that is the other reason I am questioning this now.
#3
Your Friendly Canadian
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Never bothered doing that.
I try to turn the AC off before starting the car though, and won't touch the brakes.
I try to turn the AC off before starting the car though, and won't touch the brakes.
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#5
Senior Moderator
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I always cycled the AC off for the last little bit of my trip (just outside air blowing) to prevent the build up of too much condensation which in turn leads to a car that stinks like a locker room. Then turn off the fan, put car on recirculate.
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00TL-P3.2 (10-04-2013)
#6
^Beat me to it.
If you turn the A/C off about a 1/4 mile before you reach your destination, the evap/cooler unit will have a chance to reach the ambient outdoor temperature. Then the unit doesn't condesate H2O and collect mildew and start to stink (If you've ever driven your grandma's Buick, you'll know what I'm talking about).
If you turn the A/C off about a 1/4 mile before you reach your destination, the evap/cooler unit will have a chance to reach the ambient outdoor temperature. Then the unit doesn't condesate H2O and collect mildew and start to stink (If you've ever driven your grandma's Buick, you'll know what I'm talking about).
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alexSU (10-02-2013)
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#8
Three Wheelin'
#9
^Beat me to it.
If you turn the A/C off about a 1/4 mile before you reach your destination, the evap/cooler unit will have a chance to reach the ambient outdoor temperature. Then the unit doesn't condesate H2O and collect mildew and start to stink (If you've ever driven your grandma's Buick, you'll know what I'm talking about).
If you turn the A/C off about a 1/4 mile before you reach your destination, the evap/cooler unit will have a chance to reach the ambient outdoor temperature. Then the unit doesn't condesate H2O and collect mildew and start to stink (If you've ever driven your grandma's Buick, you'll know what I'm talking about).
#11
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
I leave the setting to Auto, so on a cold day the Volvo automatically goes to the heater and A/C on the hot days. Plus, with it in auto on hot days the fan kicks in to cool it off when I am not in the car.
#12
The sizzle in the Steak
On modern cars, most accessories left on when the car is turned off do not power up immediately when the engine is started.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
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#13
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
On modern cars, most accessories left on when the car is turned off do not power up immediately when the engine is started.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
#14
Nom Nom Nom Nom
Thread Starter
On modern cars, most accessories left on when the car is turned off do not power up immediately when the engine is started.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
I guess this question is kind of irrelevant now. The truck turns the AC on for me when I do the remote start. Regardless of weather or not I turn it off when I get out. Wonder if it turns the heat on in the winter
#15
I only agree with the turning off of the A/C after a long drive with it on. The risk is small but I've never had a mold/odor problem with my car's HVAC system. Then again I usually run just outside air or have the windows down.
#16
The sizzle in the Steak
My reason is totally something that was just pounded into my head when I was young. No other reason..
I guess this question is kind of irrelevant now. The truck turns the AC on for me when I do the remote start. Regardless of weather or not I turn it off when I get out. Wonder if it turns the heat on in the winter
I guess this question is kind of irrelevant now. The truck turns the AC on for me when I do the remote start. Regardless of weather or not I turn it off when I get out. Wonder if it turns the heat on in the winter
I have yet to experience the heater stuff as it has never gotten that cold around here
....but the A/C is great!
#17
#19
Racer
I was wondering the same thing myself, but i noticed that when i start up my car it waits about 1-2 seconds until the AC kicks in. Wife's 2012 GTI, turns the AC on as soon as i start the car, which is why i make sure its off before i start it.
Good to know about turning off the AC after a long drive.
Good to know about turning off the AC after a long drive.
#21
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Those .5 seconds add up.
#25
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
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^Beat me to it.
If you turn the A/C off about a 1/4 mile before you reach your destination, the evap/cooler unit will have a chance to reach the ambient outdoor temperature. Then the unit doesn't condesate H2O and collect mildew and start to stink (If you've ever driven your grandma's Buick, you'll know what I'm talking about).
If you turn the A/C off about a 1/4 mile before you reach your destination, the evap/cooler unit will have a chance to reach the ambient outdoor temperature. Then the unit doesn't condesate H2O and collect mildew and start to stink (If you've ever driven your grandma's Buick, you'll know what I'm talking about).
#26
Same here, I still turn off by habit since it was drilled into my head years ago.
Oddly enough, I always forget to shut the windshield wipers off when it rains, so the next time I start the car, the wipers are running.
Oddly enough, I always forget to shut the windshield wipers off when it rains, so the next time I start the car, the wipers are running.
#28
Senior Moderator
I was wondering the same thing myself, but i noticed that when i start up my car it waits about 1-2 seconds until the AC kicks in. Wife's 2012 GTI, turns the AC on as soon as i start the car, which is why i make sure its off before i start it.
Good to know about turning off the AC after a long drive.
Good to know about turning off the AC after a long drive.
Having the AC on doesnt affect it. Having the fan speed on high does though.
Last edited by fsttyms1; 10-03-2013 at 07:48 AM.
#29
slobalt defender
I turn everything off when I pull into the neighborhood.
#31
Senior Moderator
We need a parallel poll with the voter's age. My hypothesis is older = yes, younger = no. My dad always tried to "drill it into my head", but it didn't stick. It all stays on. No mildew, no issues.
#32
Team Owner
I do the opposite. I have to turn off the AC every time i start the car.
Regardless what i do when i turn off the car, the AC will always come back on when i start the engine. Annoying.
I don't like to use AC, i need every single HP when i drive my car =)
Regardless what i do when i turn off the car, the AC will always come back on when i start the engine. Annoying.
I don't like to use AC, i need every single HP when i drive my car =)
#33
On. What's the point of turning it off when you get out only to turn it back on when you get in again?
#34
Senior Moderator
With an older system that doesn't bypass accessory electronics on startup, the extra draw of A/C, radio, headlights, etc, strains the electrical system. Like others have mentioned, this is a moot point on most modern vehicles.
#35
Suzuka Master
On modern cars, most accessories left on when the car is turned off do not power up immediately when the engine is started.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
There is no additional demand put upon the battery at start-up when accessories are left on when the car is turned off.
Turning things off is old school thinking. It used to be a "good idea"...like letting the car idle to warm it up.
You don't need to idle your car to warm it up, and you don't need to power off accessories before turning off the car.
Leave the accessories on.
Drive the car at low(er) RPM until it gets to operating temperature.
#36
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 58
Posts: 8,985
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on
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I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't specifically remember my Dad drilling it in to me, but picked it up somewhere along the line over the years.
#38
Moderator
I never even give it a second thought. Climate control/AC stays on.
#39
Senior Moderator
Hey old fart, you're breaking the trend!
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ttribe (10-03-2013)
#40
Moderator