Fact or Myth

[Jamesmaier]

I've always been told that before i turn off my car its best to turn off the heater/air con. I was just wondering why this is the case and if it actually does make a difference......

 

[MR_VX]

id like to know as well. my misses does it all the time. it shits me

 

[tommySV6Ute]

Plenty of google results, one here: I Heart Change: The car air conditioning debate

I thought it removed the load on the engine on restart if you turned the aircon off..

Every site you visit has a different opinion.

 

[soop]

The AC compressor wont engage untill the car has started anyway.
If your battery is knackered it might help with the voltage. Car needs minimum of 12volts to fire.

 

[Rhin0o8]

everything gets turnt off before i turn the car off.

A/C, Radio, Lights.. even the power windows go up before i turn the engine off
also turn off the rear demister in the winter
Habit i guess

But i will save drain on the battery on the next start-up

 

[Rhin0o8]

How about running the A/C without the Fan on 1,2,3, high etc

Im pretty sure you need the fan on atleast 1 or the A/C compressor will burn out?

 

[tommySV6Ute]

If the fan is off the aircon/compressor will be off.

 

[Jamesmaier]

ive heard because it decompresses the compressor when you turn if off before you turn the car off. and if your going to get back into your car 5 minutes later you dont want the compressor fully loaded.

 

[GothicKidd]

My mum always turns everything off, I pre much just jump out my car.. I have a cool feature for my headlights tho, If I turn my headlights while the ignition is on and turn the key off or w/e.. when I open the door the lights while turn off till I go to start my car again. - Yeah I start my car with my headlights on.. even Highbeam sometimes.. Its a slower start then normal but idc
The AC compressor would cause Load making it harder to start
I wasnt sure what caused it, but I do think after time you could blow your Engine fuse.. Maybe

 

[Brett_jjj]

Im not sure if the ECU cuts the A/C compressor off at startup.I know it shuts it off once certain revs are reached,or if a certain load is put on the engine,but not sure about startup though.I might have to check that out.I always make sure its off before I start the car anyway.Same with the headlights.
EDIT: Just went out and checked it out.The ECU cuts the compressor off anyway at startup.The compressor comes on a couple of seconds after the engine is running,so there ya go,starting the engine with the A/C on wont matter or hurt anything.