Leaving a/c on?

[ldnewton2]

I was always told to turn off my a/c whenever I turn off the car in order to save the condenser unit upon restarting the engine. Is this true? Is it an urban legend? Should I be doing this with my '07 Camry XLE V6?

[Joe B]

I always turn the A/C off.
I don't like starting the car and having that A/C pull on the engine immediately.

[lammydi]

Actually you should turn off the AC a few minutes before you got home or whereever your destination is. The reason for that is to avoid and/or minimize the molding odor.

[JSM1284]

Not True, About leaving it on when car is off.

[gdanaher]

Originally Posted by ldnewton2

I was always told to turn off my a/c whenever I turn off the car in order to save the condenser unit upon restarting the engine. Is this true? Is it an urban legend? Should I be doing this with my '07 Camry XLE V6?

I need for someone to tell me what damage would come to the condenser if the ac was left on? If anything the electrical components might suffer when the engine was next cranked and the voltage dropped from an old battery.

Back in the day when alterntors were marginal it was a good idea to turn it down at the last moment to sorta spare the battery and leave a decent surface charge, but even that is a non issue these days.

[Joe B]

When you start a car everything electrical is shut off for a second or so.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by Joe B

When you start a car everything electrical is shut off for a second or so.

I'm not so sure about that. Try leave your head light on then turn on your engine...you will see that your light turn on at the same time you crank your engine....

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by lammydi

I'm not so sure about that. Try leave your head light on then turn on your engine...you will see that your light turn on at the same time you crank your engine....

That's possible but I kniw the A/C compressor isn't.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by Joe B

That's possible but I kniw the A/C compressor isn't.

That...I agree with you.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by lammydi

That...I agree with you.

You're right on the lights which may be a safety thing.
Dash lights also stay on but but radio,A/C comp,etc is off for that second or so. ,

[R07M]

Originally Posted by lammydi

Actually you should turn off the AC a few minutes before you got home or whereever your destination is. The reason for that is to avoid and/or minimize the molding odor.

I'm not sure about damage to the condenser, but I definitely agree with the above point...

and once you get mold growth in the system... it's almost impossible to get rid of that smell...

[Burnes]

Originally Posted by JSM1284

Not True, About leaving it on when car is off.

Can you expand on that JSM?
Thanks in advance.

[islandboy57]

I always turn my A/C off before I turn the car off. I don't like starting it with the A/C on.. My aunt *always* left it on all the time so just about everyday she was starting her car with the A/C on. Her A/C failed [compressor] when the car was about 10 years old (she had only had it for maybe 3 years, bought it used) - but Honda A/Cs suck so it could be nothing.

[Hyfly1]

I drove a 2001 Avalon for nearly six years, and I never touched the AC button. It was on all the time. I never had a problem. My understanding is the compressor is turned on and off automatically in the AUTO mode anyhow. I treat my 2007 XLE V6 the same way. If I experienced compressor failure after 10 years, I would not blame it on leaving the AC button on.

[JSM1284]

Originally Posted by Burnes

Can you expand on that JSM?
Thanks in advance.

It will not damage the condensor leaving the A/C on.