Why does my car guzzle gas when the AC is on?

Question

I have a 2005 dodge stratus and I can go a week on a tank of gas. For some reason, when the AC is running I use 2 or 3 tanks for the same amount of driving. Does anyone have an idea what's wrong so I can fix it? I'd rather not pay a mechanic an armload of money to tell me when I can find out for myself.

Any ideas?

I understand that a car uses a little more gas but not 2-3 times. There is something else wrong and was wondering if anyone had any ideas. The filters and everything else are new.

Answer 1

I think we all agree that 2-3 times the fuel use is too much. Have you changed your driving habits during this heat wave? Starting your car early to cool the interior, leaving it running when you run into a convenience store. These little things will have a huge effect on gas mileage. Also when you run the A/C, the electrical system has to work much harder to keep up with the blower and engine cooling fan. This is another reason your mileage drops. I think it's worth a trip to the mechanic to check it out. If a problem is found, The money saved at the gas pump will make even a high repair bill worth every cent.

Answer 2

You have something else going on there. 2-3 extra tanks is not normal. You could call up the local Dodge Service Manager and pick his brain over the phone. If he is unable to help you, keep calling around for ideas. Any air conditioned car will use a little bit more gas, but that is unreasonable.

Answer 3

Seems like a lot of gas for just your AC. Maybe dont use it on re-circulating air, or on a real high setting. Get your oil changed if you havent done it in awhile. Your gas mileage will go down by using your AC because your car is working harder and running at a higher RPM.

Answer 4

the Ac forces your engine to work harder thus using more gas.. but 2-3 tanks more is not normal.. giving your car a basic tuneup and making sure it is timed properly can help, but i think maybey a trip to the mechanics would help if that fails.

Answer 5

maybe you have a leak or something and the ac needs to use extra gas because of it.. the ac usually does take more gas away from your car, but not that much. make sure its recirculating, that uses less gas. but i would also get it checked out just in case

Answer 6

All cars suck up more gas when there ac is on your using more energy when the ac is cranked up trying to keep it cool inside your car while its 90+ degrees outside.

Answer 7

My wager is that your distributor cap and rotor are in all probability inflicting the subject. many times, once you adjust spark plug wires, you will desire to alter the two the distributor cap and rotor through fact all of them placed on on an identical well-known value. I doubt it is your serpentine belt or timing belt that ought to be inflicting those matters yet once you scent burning rubber and your motor vehicle will become harder to initiate (whether the engine is chilly or heat) then that's in all probability a belt situation. different factors that ought to reason those matters comprise (yet at the instant are not constrained to) Plugged up EGR and/or PCV valves Clogged air clear out (take it out and carry it as much as the solar, in case you may no longer see by way of it then it needs to get replaced) Leaking gasoline injectors (do you scent gasoline - it ought to be greater considerable while your air is on) Ignition timing ought to be incorrect (back, the vehicle will in many cases be hard to initiate if that's the case) Oxygen sensor has failed intake Air Temperature sensor has failed And the checklist is going on... if your verify engine easy is on or comes on, you will want to have a depended on mechanic run a diagnostic attempt on your motor vehicle to verify what the errors code is that has became the easy on interior the 1st place. this would desire to narrow the subject down. regrettably, if your motor vehicle's verify engine easy isn't on, the computing device has no longer yet regarded a difficulty with in spite of is going undesirable. This finally ends up interior the wager and verify game. My advice is to ascertain the easy stuff first (like the air clear out and distributor cap/rotor) and artwork your thank you to greater complicated issues. Who is conscious, it ought to be something incredibly common. i desire your motor vehicle gets fastened. =)

Answer 8

That much more seems excessive but using some more is normal because the engine is running harder to run the A/C compresser. Sorry but I would get it checked to make sure your A/C is running properly.

Answer 9

AC is electrically operated, shouldn't be bcuz of your gas. something else may be going on. check your air filter or plugs

Answer 10

well everyone knows that when u run the ac its always goin to waste gas..just in case u didnt know that..