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Should you switch the air conditioning off in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)?
You recently advised to keep air con on at all times to avoid damage to seals and gas escape etc.
I have a Kia XCeed plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and there is widespread advice on PHEVs not to use the heating and air con systems, but to use heated seats to keep the internal combustion engine from firing up when running as electric on short trips.
How often should I run the air conditioning to keep the seals OK?
I usually have to run it in winter for a bit anyway on most trips to clear the windscreen, but I use the maximum demist setting for a short period and then turn the system off again.
I have a Kia XCeed plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and there is widespread advice on PHEVs not to use the heating and air con systems, but to use heated seats to keep the internal combustion engine from firing up when running as electric on short trips.
How often should I run the air conditioning to keep the seals OK?
I usually have to run it in winter for a bit anyway on most trips to clear the windscreen, but I use the maximum demist setting for a short period and then turn the system off again.
Asked on 25 February 2022 by Steve Wood
Answered by
Dan Powell
As with all things in life, some air con systems are better than others.
You might be ok running your car's AC for 30 or 60 mins each week. Or you may need to run it for 15 mins per day. The key bit of advice is to use it regularly, which is why my general advice is to leave it switched on 100 per cent of the time.
It's no coincidence that each and every spring HonestJohn.co.uk is inundated with thousands of questions from car owners who suddenly find their AC system is blowing warm air due to the gas escaping or has failed completely because the compressor has seized up.
You might be ok running your car's AC for 30 or 60 mins each week. Or you may need to run it for 15 mins per day. The key bit of advice is to use it regularly, which is why my general advice is to leave it switched on 100 per cent of the time.
It's no coincidence that each and every spring HonestJohn.co.uk is inundated with thousands of questions from car owners who suddenly find their AC system is blowing warm air due to the gas escaping or has failed completely because the compressor has seized up.
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