Air-Con. On/off - stats?

51315

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Just wondering if anyone knows how much fuel is saved if not using air-con? In my little petrol W169 1.5 engine I don't seem to detect any difference but haven't been exactly scientific about it.
Also, is air filtered into the cabin via the same filter regardless of using air-con. or not? Thanks.
 

LostKiwi

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In my experience there's no discernible difference in economy with AC on or off, but then when dealing with V6 or V8 petrol engines I wouldn't expect the difference to be large!
 

ZZZZ

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I never turn A/C off in my A200 (C169 petrol 2006) - any fuel saved will be much much less, than cost of replacing seals / repairing A/C.
 

grahamcol

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Well I’ve learnt from experience. I’ve basically only ever used air con in the Summer in the past. Big mistake as on every car it has ceased to work after a while ! I’ve just taken delivery of a new (to me) 209 CLK with working climate control and l intend to keep it on auto permanently. If it’s not used regularly l believe the seals dry up and the system loses pressure leading to eventual failure.
 

mioba

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Well I’ve learnt from experience. I’ve basically only ever used air con in the Summer in the past. Big mistake as on every car it has ceased to work after a while ! I’ve just taken delivery of a new (to me) 209 CLK with working climate control and l intend to keep it on auto permanently. If it’s not used regularly l believe the seals dry up and the system loses pressure leading to eventual failure.

pretty much spot on. also not running the ac is not lubricating the ac system. again causing parts to dry out.
My ac is on all the time
 

Blobcat

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You’ll use more fuel if you have the window open instead of having the AC on. As per above use it all the time or lose it
 

Botus

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You’ll use more fuel if you have the window open instead of having the AC on. As per above use it all the time or lose it


pre variable compressors it was something like 10% more fuel - but driving with a window open is 12%
 

rifiki

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I have the AC on auto 90% of the time. I believe it takes around 5HP to run the compressor, later models less as mentioned by Botus. I had a Nissan Primera for 11 years and my current 05 CLK the ACs have had nothing done to them.
 

M80

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Mine stays on auto.
I also like to turn the temp to minimum for a few minutes, say once a month, in winter to excercise the system.
But it struck me that as the minimum setting on my temperature control is 14 degrees it can't engage the compressor as the outside air is cooler.
So does the compressor still engage to dehumidify?
 

LostKiwi

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Mine stays on auto.
I also like to turn the temp to minimum for a few minutes, say once a month, in winter to excercise the system.
But it struck me that as the minimum setting on my temperature control is 14 degrees it can't engage the compressor as the outside air is cooler.
So does the compressor still engage to dehumidify?
Yes. The cooled air is warmed by the heater matrix to give the desired temperature out.
 

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