SOME PEOPLE ARE concerned that using the air conditioner in a car while sitting idling may not be a good idea.

Of course, sitting in traffic is often the time you need cooling in the car, so should you shut down the air conditioner?

The short answer is “no”. Modern cars are designed to operate the air conditioner at idle without causing damage. If your car is operating in stop/start mode, you may notice that after a few moments, the engine fires up because without the engine to operate it, the air conditioner isn’t actually working.

However, if you are sitting in traffic, on a hot day, with the air conditioner operating, keep an eye on the temperature gauge and if it starts to climb, consider switching the air conditioner off.

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, information contained is for guidance only. seniordriveraus recommends considering your own particular needs, and seeking professional guidance and advice before making any decision