How long should it take for car AC to get cold

When you turn your car on and start to drive, it takes a few minutes for the air conditioner to kick into gear and cool down the interior of your car. There is even more lag time if you’re sitting in traffic and the car is only moving along at a crawl.

How long should you sit in traffic to get your air conditioning going?

10-20 minutes. That’s right, it takes that long for your AC system to produce cold air when you’re driving less than 25mph. The reason for this is because of the airflow.

The hot air stays in the car until it’s displaced by the cold air coming through your vents. Note that it does not take this long for your AC to work if you’re driving faster than 25mph. In fact, there will be a noticeable difference in cooling rates as soon as you hit 15mph. If you’re going less than 10mph, then waiting for the interior of your car to cool down is pointless because it’ll just heat up all over again once you start moving.

Each vehicle manufacturer has a different time frame before their car’s AC starts working at various speeds, so make sure to check your owner’s manual for more information on how long your particular model takes.

And keep in mind that your AC also has to work harder on hotter days and in warmer climates.

FAQ

Why does my AC take so long to get cold car?

In general, the colder the outside temperature is, the faster your AC system will cool down. However, you will notice a faster airflow if you drive with your windows open because there isn’t a layer of hot air that has to be pushed out first.
Cold weather places an additional strain on your car’s engine and cooling system. If you’re going to run your heater in cold weather, make sure to have your car serviced beforehand so it doesn’t overheat while trying to keep up with creating both hot and cold air at once.

How long does it take for a car AC to get cold?

It takes 10-20 minutes to cool down the interior of your car when you’re driving less than 25mph.
At 15mph, there will be a noticeable difference in cooling rates.
An AC has to work harder on hotter days and in warmer climates. Cold weather places an additional strain on your car’s engine and cooling system.
Steven Hatman
Steven Hatman

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