I want to sleep in my van overnight and keep the AC running. Would it be fine to let it idle for 8 hours? Anyone done this before?
Yeah, just make sure to lock the doors from the inside. That should bypass the 1-hour idle limit.
Technically, yeah, any car can do this. But it does put extra wear on the engine, and you’ll need to change the oil more often.
If you do this a lot, expect more wear on different parts. I’d only keep it running when necessary—maybe turn it on for a bit if you wake up hot. Otherwise, crack a window or use a battery-powered fan. If it’s cold, just bring more blankets.
Also, if heat is the issue, consider ceramic tint or window covers. You can get 55-70% tint on the front and windshield without making them too dark, and 100% on the back windows if you want better heat rejection without changing how they look.
@Galen
Some hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs won’t handle this well because they don’t run the gas engine at idle—they rely on the battery for AC, and that drains fast. If the battery dies, you could run into electrical issues when trying to restart.
The Sienna doesn’t have that problem. It’ll switch to gas when the battery gets low, even at idle.
@Shay
Yeah, hybrids will cycle the engine on and off, but that can cause fuel dilution in the oil. If you do this often, I’d recommend changing the oil more frequently.
@Galen
Just a heads-up—don’t crack a window if you’re running the engine while sleeping. There was a case where a homeless family parked outside a CVS, left the heater on, and cracked a window because it got stuffy. Carbon monoxide built up inside the car, and they didn’t make it through the night.
@Heather
Actually, a cracked window might help because exhaust fumes can get inside in other ways, and a little ventilation can reduce that risk. Just be aware of wind direction—it can shift overnight. Also, check if there’s anything nearby that could trap fumes around your car.
Best thing you can do? Bring a carbon monoxide detector. It could save your life.
@Heather
Wow, I never thought that could happen outdoors. Was this in an underground parking lot? Even then, I’d think they’d have enough ventilation to prevent something like that.
Chancey said:
@Heather
Wow, I never thought that could happen outdoors. Was this in an underground parking lot? Even then, I’d think they’d have enough ventilation to prevent something like that.
Nope, they were parked next to some bushes, so half the car was boxed in. Those bushes have been removed since then.
That’s not camping.
Amar said:
That’s not camping.
More like sleeping in your car.
But honestly, same thing in this case.
Amar said:
That’s not camping.
More like sleeping in your car.
But honestly, same thing in this case.
Let me know what you decide!
Amar said:
That’s not camping.
More like sleeping in your car.
But honestly, same thing in this case.
I mean, I sleep in mine sometimes, but I’d never leave it running all night. Camping, to me, means at least having a tent!
How much gas would it burn idling for 8 hours?
There’s a ton of info on this if you check YouTube. Hybrids running all night work differently than regular cars.
I have what might be the most decked-out Sienna camper in the U.S. (check my posts). I live in San Francisco but camp in it twice a week in Sacramento.
I’d recommend never running it overnight on an almost-empty tank and getting an AGM battery for extra reliability. Do that, and you’re good.
@TacomaTribe2
Wait, is there some kind of ranking for Sienna campers in the U.S.? Congrats on being at the top—who else is in the top five?
Yeah, you can do it, but it’s not great for the car. Police cars idle for hours, but they get more frequent maintenance. Why not just get a small generator?
Why idle the engine the whole time? I read there’s a mode where the AC runs on battery, and the hybrid system will start the engine every 15 minutes or so to recharge, then shut off again. It’s still using fuel, but a lot less.
Leaving a car idling that long isn’t good for it. It won’t destroy the engine if you only do it once or twice, but if this becomes a habit, it’ll cause problems. Whether it’s a hybrid or not, cars aren’t built to idle for hours on end.
If you’re just looking to stay cool, get a battery-powered fan and crack a window. No reason to burn gas all night just for AC.