Do you really burn more gas when you drive with the AC on???

Answer 1

Yes you do even in newer cars although not quit so much as in older cars with older style a/c pumps.
When the air conditioning is working the motor has to drive the a/c pump which requires the use of additional power.
This is driven by one of the belts on the engine that doesn't drive the pump until it is switched on.
Some older vehicles can use quite a considerable amount more petrol but the newer cars are much more efficient.

Answer 2

Basically, yes, since the compressor that drives the air conditioner gets it's spin from the engine, via a drive belt.

You can really feel this phenomenon is a small engine car. While the car is idling, turn on the AC and you can hear the engine momentarily drop rpms until the ignition system regulates itself. It comes back up to speed, but at the cost of a bit more gasoline.

One person responded with reference to the windows being down. He is partially correct. Driving with the windows down wastes more energy by creating drag, than with the windows up and the AC running.

But given everything else is the same, AC use burns more gas.

Answer 3

Yes and no. Yes, when you turn on the air conditioner it activates the a/c compressor which increases drag on the engine and therefore fuel consumption. However, when you are turning on the a/c it is probably because it is hot outside, and if you did not turn on the a/c you most likely would open the windows instead as opposed to sitting in the car and cooking your brains.

Now in stop and go traffic, or at idle, opening the windows will have little or no effect on air flow around the car, and will produce no additional fuel-robbing drag. At highway speeds, however, open windows will create a good bit of turbulence and drag that will increase your fuel consumption. A number of studies have indicated that at highway speeds you will likely get equal or even slightly better fuel economy running the a/c on low settings than you would if you switched it off and opened the windows.

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

if you are driving slow it is more efficent to have the windows down. if you are driving fast on the highway it is better to use the air.

Answer 6

yes you do because your car would have to spin the a/c compressor, so this gives the car extra work.

Answer 7

its realy not cool to drive my Jaguar without air

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

You won't save much, since your windows will be open, creating drag.

Answer 10

Yes. The engine has to work harder.