I read somewhere once that, having and using, a/c causes an increase in petrol consumption in the order of 12%.Can anyone confirm or otherwise this as I've told all my friends with a/c it's costing them 50p a gallon. I declined this gizmo in Cyprus and never really missed it. In this country? You must be kidding.
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I thought the same as you regarding a/c until I bought a car that had it. Now I regard it as a safety feature - it helps me stay alert in hot - even warm - weather and I would think long and hard before buying a car without it. And that's in the UK, not Cyprus!
Although it depends on the type of journey, the AA say anywhere from 7% to 15% increase in fuel consumption for a/c use. Between 6 and 10% with window or sunroof open. So the TRUE cost of a/c would be between 1 and 5% in hot weather.
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Glad to see you live up to your name OC.
Drving back from devon last year, family & dog in car, 37c outside I thought "Nah I dont need air con"
Thats a lie BTW
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When air conditioning first became available in cars I think the penalty in fuel consumption was fairly horific. Your figure of 12% was probably about right. However, the systems have got much more efficient. I can honestly say I don't notice any difference in economy with the air con in use, although it must use some fuel. You don't get anything for nothing.
My current Toyota is my first car with air con, but having had it I wouldn't do without it again. It is not just for hot weather either. It is very useful for stopping the car misting up in damp weather.
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If you are in the late '50s driving a big Caddy, it may be true, but not nowadays, they are about 3HP, but they do cycle in and out of use, so over a journey in hot weather, probably nearer 1HP.....in other words insignificant.
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Wouldn't like to be without AC now. Mine doesn't seem to use any more fuel with it switched on, so I V rarely turn it off...
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Do cars with climate control use less or more fuel than those with manual aircon?
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Do cars with climate control use less or more fuel than those with manual aircon?
In theory it is the same as manual; as climate control
is really only a thermostat to switch the compressor on and off.
My car has CC and I just leave it on and forget it. SWMBO's car has manual A/C and you tend to leave it on for too long until you are a bit too cold - switch it off and wait until you are a bit too warm.
As said earlier, the A/C obviously uses energy but I really do not notice the difference in fuel consumption on either car.
On some rental cars I use in Florida I notice that the A/C can hardly cope in blazing hot conditions. However puting the air circulation slider to 're-cycle' makes a huge difference.
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In VW/Audi Climate Control I beleive that the compressor runs all the time and hot air is added to adjust the temperature.
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OC,
Here are some views from a previous discussion on the subject.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=6304
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& buyers are asking for it on USED vans - only just begun showing as an option/standard omn new ones.
Just a couple of years back you'd get a premium for a van, even Escort or Fiesta size, with power steering. Just try & sell one now - it'll have a couple of birthdays, before it leaves the yard!!
Bet the samt thing happens, in the not to distant , with cars or vans, without air!!
Still like to have a sunroof - but we've had that chat, already!!
VB
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As far as I can remember from an Australian friend, the research suggested that the difference in fuel consumption between a car that was using a/c and a car that suffered increased air resistance due to all the windows being open was negligible if not tipped in a/c's favour.
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I find turning on the aircon makes me feel refreshed, even in cool weather. Sometimes I use it as a speed controller on long downhill stretches, I put the car in 5th and switch on the aircon, depending on the hill the speed settles at around 40-50 MPH.
Steve.
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Sometimes I use it as a speed controller on long downhill stretches, I put the car in 5th and switch on the aircon, depending on the hill the speed settles at around 40-50 MPH.
I'll have to try this one. Having got a Focus which has very little engine braking when in 5th, I either (or both) have to resort to engaging a lower gear or have to brake all the way down a twisty hill that I regularly go down. (Rural Lincolnshire may be generally flat but it also includes the Lincolnshire Wolds.)
--
L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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