Running AC verses windows down
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
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From: Los Angeles CA
Running AC verses windows down
Now I know I should probably do some google research but I didnt come up with anything strongstanding in my initial google so I'm asking here!
Now I have recently moved to Los Angeles and besides any city being polluted I have made a conscious effort not to have my windows rolled down and I have always had my air on and A/C on.
As I dont want to breath in all the car smog. But someone told me that the A/C in your car is designed differently then your houses so when you run the A/C in your car you are breathing in fumes from the A/C.
I think that is far fetched but I guess I never know these days anymore. Do you guys think or know if we are breathing in Freon from the A/C?
Shouldnt your A/C be leaking or is there residual and I thought Freon evaporates, etc...
What is less unhealthy? windows rolled down or AC?
Now I have recently moved to Los Angeles and besides any city being polluted I have made a conscious effort not to have my windows rolled down and I have always had my air on and A/C on.
As I dont want to breath in all the car smog. But someone told me that the A/C in your car is designed differently then your houses so when you run the A/C in your car you are breathing in fumes from the A/C.
I think that is far fetched but I guess I never know these days anymore. Do you guys think or know if we are breathing in Freon from the A/C?
Shouldnt your A/C be leaking or is there residual and I thought Freon evaporates, etc...
What is less unhealthy? windows rolled down or AC?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
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From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
NO your not breathing freon. Or any other underhood vapors... At least if your system is operating like it was designed, you shouldn't get any inside the cabin...
If breathing the smog bothers you, then your in the wrong place. Whether your AC is on recirculate or fresh air draw, your still going to be breathing whats in the air. When you open your door, you let in a fresh batch of smog, so it doesn't matter anyway...
Of course you could always try holding your breath!!!
If breathing the smog bothers you, then your in the wrong place. Whether your AC is on recirculate or fresh air draw, your still going to be breathing whats in the air. When you open your door, you let in a fresh batch of smog, so it doesn't matter anyway...
Of course you could always try holding your breath!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
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From: Los Angeles CA
haha
okay i know I'm breathing smog but if I had to choose smoking 2 packs of cigarrettes or 1 pack Id pick the 1 pack as I wont die as fast.
So windows up and hold my breath from car to mall or wherever lol.
So windows up and hold my breath from car to mall or wherever lol.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The AC is a sealed system on the cooling side so you dont get any Freon in the car. Your best bet is to have AC on and select recirculate. That pulls in the least outside air and whatever is in the car just recycles. It also gets the coolest temperature. Without filters its a lost cause but thats the best you can do. Smog or recycled CO2; your choice
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: South Alabama
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
But someone told me that the A/C in your car is designed differently then your houses so when you run the A/C in your car you are breathing in fumes from the A/C.
I've got to agree with Cajun99 on this one....
All of the A/C whether in a car, home, or office are sealed, if they weren't they'd stop working as soon as the freon leaked out and the low oil sensor kicked in....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
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From: Los Angeles CA
i firgured. I have to I have to start questioning peoples comments more often. Last person told me dragonflies top speed are 100mph. why do people believe everything they hear.
P.S. I think their top speed is like 20mph if that haha
P.S. I think their top speed is like 20mph if that haha
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Instructor
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From: San Diego CA
Um sort of related question: everytime I turn my car on the A/C is on automatically - anyway to just have the fan air on instead of A/C? Cuz I usually just take off the top and breath fresh WI air. LOL. San Diego soon tho
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 963
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First and foremost, research this kind of stuff; it's as simple as going to google and typing "Smog Effects". If you're so concerned about smog, don't drive your car. Start taking the bus. 70% of smog emission comes from vehicles. Smog can cause damage to your heart and lungs - even when you can't see or smell it in the air around you. You live in Los Angeles, so you're not going to get away from it. Only thing you can do is try to minimize it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
First and foremost, research this kind of stuff; it's as simple as going to google and typing "Smog Effects". If you're so concerned about smog, don't drive your car. Start taking the bus. 70% of smog emission comes from vehicles. Smog can cause damage to your heart and lungs - even when you can't see or smell it in the air around you. You live in Los Angeles, so you're not going to get away from it. Only thing you can do is try to minimize it.
Sadly I have to go to work.
No smog in Lincolnshire though
Racer
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Doc
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