I have had the discussion (argument) on A/C affecting fuel consumption many, many times with friends and collegues..
It seems to affect petrol card much more than Diesels..
I have had 6 diesel cars with A/C and I can truthfully say it doesn't seem to affect the fuel consumption a jot..
A week or two ago during the hot weather I had to go from near Blackpool to Coventry and back and my C270 CDI managed 52.4 mpg with the A/C on all the way..
My VW Golf GTTdi 140 used to manage over 60 mpg on trips out and in that car the A/C was NEVER turned off.
So to me its a load of C*ap that people get so paranoid over doing an extra .32 mpg..
If you really are worried about potential miniscule savings in fuel then I doubt you should be driving at all !
Dont forget the safety issue as well.... I am far less drowsy in a car with A/C on than in a stuffy hot car.
With air con, the system goes flat out or nothing, and you did not have that fine degree of control so more expensive to run.
Are you sure about that Malcolm?
Reason I query is my A/C compressor comes 'on line' when the temp in the car rises and then off again when reaches its the level set on the controls. You can see the effect of the compressor coming 'on line' by watching the tachometer, it shows a very quick dip in rpm until the power of the engine compensates and in reverse when it goes 'off line' This is not 'doing it' all the time but once the temp has settled it maintains it.
Having said all of that having it on does affect my fuel consumption, by how much though is of no interest as I prefer a 'cool' environment and mist free windows in the winter and during summer rain storms which have the same effect.
I was referring to cars of the 80's where you had little control over the system where it was either on or off, and the only cold air came out of the center vents
Try to think that an egg is under the accelerator & press very gently.
When you reach your cruising speed, say 60mph, slightly releasing the pressure on the pedal will sustain that speed using less fuel. Takes a bit of practice before you get it just right.
:lol:
Russ
I always imagine theres a spider under the pedal and hit the f0ok out of it
Oops, In that case I am wrong...:Oops:
Mostly, I think ditching the spare wheel or any unnessesary weight from the boot would make a bigger difference than turning the air con off.
Russ
I ditch the wife also.
Surprising how much better and quieter it runs and of course a much improved performance when alone on my own just me and no one else:lol::lol:
I will have the same effect this week, as soon as I exceed 20MPH a voice will say "do I need to go this fast" we will be doing a 333km run on the Friday and at 30 kph that would take 11 hours, I tell the voice that I cannot sit here for 11 hours as I will get tired, but it will have no effect
Tough one that, only option is to say you will have stop every 30Km's then have a nap, then the voice will say "how much further now" that is the time to act......
Or just say ............ "you drive" !
Then you can tell her to shut up !! ........ (whilst putting on your tin hat, rather quickly) ............ LOL