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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Helicopter, ground crews stop fire near Central Point homes ... Karuks say Yreka casino will boost economy, but local residents remain skeptical ... Deadly force against Green shooter justified, grand jury says ... Helicopter, ground crews stop fire near Central Point homes ... Karuks say Yreka casino will boost economy, but local residents remain skeptical ... Deadly force against Green shooter justified, grand jury says ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Engine belt drives most automotive A/C systems Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 15, 2016 at 6:27 PM Updated Jun 15, 2016 at 6:29 PM Posted Jun. 15, 2016 at 6:27 PM Updated Jun 15, 2016 at 6:29 PM » Social News Answer me this, gurus: Why does my car's air conditioner only work when the car is running? My home air conditioner works on electricity, and the car's fan works on a battery, but not the A/C. Is there some sort of switch in there that prevents the battery from draining? — Mary, Central Point Although we're in the middle of a reprieve from the summer sun, the season is far from over. Get ready to learn what happens when you press that little "A/C" button in your car. Whether in the car or in the home, air conditioning works by pumping a refrigerant at high pressure into a condenser, which is a series of tubes similar to a radiator that removes heat and allows the refrigerant to turn into a liquid. In the home, that condenser is powered by, well, power. But that's not the case for most cars — exceptions being electric vehicles and some gas-electric hybrids because their engines stop and start. For all other gas-powered cars, the most efficient use to power the automotive air conditioner condenser is a belt attached to the engine. If the engine isn't running, or isn't running at a high enough level, the condenser won't work, so the refrigerant won't flow. The process of cooling the air also involves a dryer that removes moisture from the system, and valves and devices to regulate the process to make sure the right amount of coolant is flowing. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 15, 2016 at 6:27 PM Updated Jun 15, 2016 at 6:29 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501