You Should Use Your AC in Your Car in The Winter! Here's WHY

You Should use your AC in your car in The Winter. and in this video I'll explain why.

Car HVAC system has changed significantly over the years. Many assume that using the AC system in the winter in cars damages it. It actually doesn't damage and it's something that you should use as I'll explain in this video.

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#thecarcarenut

[bendavis]

Licensed HVAC engineer here, if the humidity is low outside then using the fresh air vent function instead of the recirculate function will dehumidify just fine without a/c. And yes, turning off the a/c saves gas. I have heard that running the a/c periodically in the winter will help keep seals lubricated. Good to know it won’t hurt the system. Love the channel, just wanted to share another perspective on this one. Thank you

[coloradoboo]

Yep, great advice, as usual! I also make sure to engage my 4-high and 4-Low in my 4x4 Tundra at least once a month, especially during the summer (for 10-minutes either on a straight road or on a dirt/gravel road). What’s that old expression, “Use it or lose it!” 😎

[SilverIndian]

Thank you for your effort to share your knowledge to humanity.

We need such people nowdays.
May God bless you.

[waltp]

I just told my neighbor last week that she should run the AC during the winter (upstate NY) when the temp gets above 40 in order to keeps the seals from drying out. I never gave a thought about humidity or running it below 40. Good to know it won't freeze below 40. Always good info from you.
When I run my AC in the summer, it hardly affects my mileage at all in my Gen 3 Prius. Much better than the older cars.

[SpeakerBuilder]

I was told years ago to use the AC to defrost the windshield on cold damp days, and I found it works better than the heat, and as a plus, you don't have to wait for the car to warm all the way up, as the AC will blow cool dry air almost instantly. I also have come to understand that running the AC several times during the cool months helps keep the system working, vs leaving it sit idle and unused for over 9 months out of the year. Then I discovered that on my Ford Escape, every time I turn my heat/AC dial to windshield defrost, the AC runs whether I turn the heat setting to hot or cold, and this was done to be sure the AC system runs periodically all year long. My truck is now over 18 years old, and while I think the AC has lost a bit of its charge, it still works very well having had not maintenance all these years.

[KrazyKramer]

I think short informative videos like this will be a bigger success vs. long videos on one specific topic and vehicle that probably 90% of the people wouldn't be interested in. Although I think some still have their place

[andrewstameson]

Very helpful video. I am guilty of doing exactly what you explained, I always use the automatic climate control, but in the winter and turn off the AC, because I figured there’s no point, the air is cold outside, and why put a drag on my engine, I’m trying to get the best fuel economy possible. Thanks for explaining it, I know better now.

[riceburner]

I TOTALLY AGREE. Ran my air on my 97 Camry & had 0 problems, NEVER serviced it. I do it on my 19 Prius & always will. I was always taught refrigerant lubricates rubber parts. I try & do when its not sub zero temps. Plus in winter, u step in snow, ur shoes are wet/carpet gets wet MORE steaming up windows.😉

[thetechlibrarian]

Yes I heard a long time ago use the air conditioning in the winter to keep everything lubricated and running, to add to that as well if you have a manual shift four-wheel-drive it’s also beneficial to occasionally engage that mode, conditions permitting of course. you want to avoid situations that would make it bind and such, but still don’t just let it sit in 2 Wheel Drive mode for years.

[markrunyon]

I bought a used 2012 Rav4 last year.The vehicle it replaced was 27 years old.I saw when I set the climate control, the AC light alway"s came on in the winter.I used to turn it off but I"ve learned how it works now.Best ride I ever owned! V6, fast & fun!

[spinb]

It's good to get that AC clutch engaged, once in a while, too, and circulate some refrigerant throughout the system. The refrigerant has oil in it to lubricate the compressor and seals.

[pierrevincent]

condensation on a surface is linked to temperature differences between the surface's 2 sides, not humidity differences

[tinman]

I drove school buses for a living for about 10 years and I can attest to this. I would use the A/C during the winter to dehumidify the interior and worked great!!! I tried Rain-x defogger before and worked too. The only thing was that it was alcohol based and stopped using it for safety concerns.

[zmanvideo]

excellent point, I also heard that it lubricates the seals and minimizes refrigerant loss in the long run; I have noticed that with the direction control set to defrost or defrost/floor that will cycle the compressor as well, thank you for excellent videos and also wish many Blessings from the Lord to you and your family

[rodneybooth]

I turn it on occasionally because I heard somewhere you should do this. With gas prices like they are I cleaned my air filter and it sure needed it so that's something folks should consider. I intend to replace it when I go to town.

[Papyrus]

My 2005 Corolla Royce still pumps AC like a boss. Def accurate! Keep that air flowing!

[lovplaytn]

I wish there was Mazda Guru like you. Just discovered your channel. I drove Priuses for the last 11 years, and just traded in my 2016 Prius with only 24k miles for a Mazda3 HB. I don't drive much, and worried about ruining the battery. Never had a single problem with this one or my 2012 model.

[michelbrouillette]

I think using defrost or defrost + feet setting automatically turns on AC. At least it did in my '05 Echo. On my '22 Corolla it's much less obvious when AC turns on so I can't say for sure.

[sunking]

I've known this concept for a long time. Turning on the AC and put the setting to "warm"...you activate and maintain your AC even in the winter and rapidly defog your windshield/windows. I believe that's the best and fastest way to defog your windows. BTW...my miraculous 2005 LE with 218, 000 miles...never needed the AC serviced. Now I have a 2020 LE 2.5.

[AlexBAlixir]

Very valuable information. I always wondered why when I put the automatic climate control in my Camry the a/c button lights up. I was constantly turning it off. Now I know. Thanks Ahmed.