2006-07-12 05:33:34 · 39 answers · asked by Linda P 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Yes.
However, at highway speeds your AC may use less fuel than having your windows open. Due to wind resistance.
Yours: Grumpy
2006-07-12 05:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by Grumpy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slightly. I don't think anyone's pointed out that many (most?) air-con pumps are driven off the fan/alternator belt, which means that they're always turning whether the air-con is on or not. So you'll lose a bit just by having air-con fitted. On average I think it works out about 1mpg you lose.
If you're feeling guilty, try an advanced driving course - by learning how to drive predictively instead of reactively, and when exactly to change gear etc., you'll save much more fuel than an air-con unit uses.
2006-07-13 05:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by AlDisley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and no. your ac is powered by your alternator/battery now if you have a low battery it will effect your radiator. causing you to over heat. if your car is in good working order you will not "burn Gas" now there is a chain of events that can put wear and tear on your auto that will cause you to use more gas due to your driving conditions. and your cars current state as long as you keep up with your cars maintenance you will be fine remember your AIR Filter it helps so much to keep it clean and also I would recommend that You put in a bottle of stp fuel cleaner the 98 cent red bottle every 3rd tank of gas. If you want better gas mileage you have to look at the way you drive and the car you drive. Peace to ya.
2006-07-12 06:59:01 · answer #3 · answered by william R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer to your question is MAYBE. The AC unit will increase your fuel usage by around 3-5% if you are on full cooling, but having your windows down instead increases drag. The average "family car" with the windows down will use around 2-3% more fuel up to 50mph, and coniderably more (around 6-7%) above that speed. Your air con unit will top out at using around 5% more fuel. This means that up to 50mph you can keep your windows down, but above 50mph is it actually more fuel efficient to run your air con. Obviously just using your cold air blower will have little or no effect on your economy.
2006-07-12 05:56:53 · answer #4 · answered by paul e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
making use of the heater will in theory reason a tiny quantity of extra gasoline intake, due the the means used to stress the air flow fan. it really is so tiny as to be unmeasurable and is genuinely in no way nicely worth demanding about. air con on the different hand does reason a significant develop in gasoline intake, because of the means necessary to stress the compressor. it should be as a lot as ten% in severe situations. Over about 30mph it really is extra value effective to apply air con and shop the living house windows up, because of the extra drag with open living house windows. less than about 30 mph it really is sometimes more low-cost to exhibit the air con off and open a window. both way it really is a procedures extra valuable for the driving force to be delicate and in a position to work out obviously than to stress about some cents.
2016-11-01 22:19:05 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should watch Myth busters. Anyways the answer is yes, but if it is either use AC or role down the windows then it uses less gas to role down the windows when going below 50 but above 50 the wind resistance is greater thus it is more cost effective to role up the windows and put on the AC. At least that was their findings.
2006-07-12 05:39:21 · answer #6 · answered by Adam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately! My tip is when u get steamy windows,usually when it rains, stick the air con on cool full blast in short bursts, keep repeating every so often. No steamy windows and less petrol used. Also air con seems to use more fuel if you had a diesel car, I found!
2006-07-12 08:49:01 · answer #7 · answered by jessie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no it does not. in fact, riding with the window open uses more gas, and with the window up and air conditioner on, it happens to use less gas, but the difference between the two is very minute, so there is no real worry. Watch Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel, as they just did a show about it recently.
2006-07-12 07:55:29 · answer #8 · answered by ratpac7_10519 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It requires more power so more energy is required from the petrol so more has to be burnt. However, having the windows open also increases the fuel consumption as it increases drag, but by not as much.
2006-07-12 05:49:01 · answer #9 · answered by Tom D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you driving slower than 35 mph then open the windows and keep the air off. Above 35 mph it becomes a drag on the car and you use more gas.
2006-07-17 09:42:57 · answer #10 · answered by fpg 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It makes the engine work a little harder with the increased load of the AC compressor, so a little more petrol is required.
2006-07-12 05:36:19 · answer #11 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋