Leaving your car parked with the air conditioner on and the engine running for an extended period is generally not recommended for several reasons:
Fuel Consumption: Running the engine for a long time while idling consumes fuel. It's not an efficient way to keep your car cool, and it can waste fuel unnecessarily.
Battery Drain: Continuous use of the air conditioner and other electrical systems while the engine is idling can drain the car's battery. If the battery gets depleted, your car may not start when you're ready to drive again.
Overheating: Prolonged idling can cause the engine to overheat, especially in hot weather or if the car's cooling system is not functioning correctly.
Emissions: Idling releases exhaust emissions, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gases. It's better for the environment to turn off the engine when it's not necessary.
If you need to keep your car cool while parked, here are some alternatives to idling with the air conditioner on:
Use a sunshade or windshield visor to block the direct sunlight from entering the car. This can help reduce the interior temperature.
Park in the shade whenever possible to keep the car cooler.
Consider using a portable battery-operated fan to circulate air inside the car.
Use a window visor or leave the windows slightly cracked to allow some airflow.
If you do need to run the air conditioner while parked, it's generally recommended to do so for short periods (e.g., a few minutes) and turn off the engine when you can. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to run the air conditioner for an extended time, it's better to do it while the engine is running and the vehicle is in motion, as this allows the cooling system to function more efficiently.