RhoXS

Is there any problem idling the engine with the air conditioning on for extended periods, especially in very hot weather (90 - 95 degree ambient), as long as the temperature gauge is reading normal temperature?

Last week I needed to make a number of stops and wait 30 to 60 minutes at each stop. The weather was very hot and no shade was available so I simply idled with the A/C on. The temp gauge remained rock steady at its normal temperature and the A/C worked great.

I cannot think of any problem this could cause but I would like others opinions. Specifically, I am driving a 2002 RX-300 with about 63K miles.

Lil4X

Should be no problem - I've done it often while waiting out on some remote location, far from shade, let alone AC. I pick up the throttle a bit off idle from time to time just to be sure I'm getting good water circulation and the temp gauge is giving me good information. Watch your temp and if you see it starting to creep up, don't turn off the engine immediately, but drive around a bit before doing so to work that temperature back down. Engine temperature will spike for a few minutes after shutdown as the water pump stops providing coolant flow.