Air-con use - fuel consumption

[Ben123]

My car is zapping a lot of fuel due to air-con usage, sometime due to air-con use while idling. I am trying to use less of air-con as the additional mileage I could get is almost 40-50 km more. My question is how should I set the air-con thermostat for optimal fuel consumption. Understand the compressor kicks in whenever the air-con is turned on. Does the compressor runs all the time if I set it to coldest setting? Would I save some petrol if I set it mid range such that the compressor cuts in and out as and when required?

[Kytl68]

It is claimed that the air cond uses the heat from the engine for the thermostat control ... so when you adjust the coldnest in the car, it is actually adding heat to the system.

 

So there is no change in the air cond compressor cut off time ... so no change in FC ... some even say by turning the level to middle or less, you will actually burn more fuel since the compressor has to work harder to overcome the heat as well ... for me ... no different in FC either way .. or very little to notice a different.

 

One thing for sure, if you are idling the car, better switch off the air cond or better still, swithc off the engine

[Kelby]

 

heard from the guy who break the record to travel from SG to genting in the papers...if you are travelling less than 80km/h switching off your aircon will not affect much diff in the FC...but travelling above 80km/h not advisable to down your windows this will add areodynamic resistance to the car and will affect your FC....

[Kytl68]

Agree with it but you can still have the windows up with the fan blowing but a/c off ... still quite cooling if you have been running the a/c for awhile before that .... just keep the fan blowing at full speed, no FC required

 

Don't try it on a hot day

Edited January 5, 2005 by Kytl68