Hi, Does heating a car with A/C cost extra gas or does it just use heat generated by the movement of the car?

Answer 1

That doesn't make any sense....

But if you're asking if using the A/C costs extra gas, the answer is yes.

Answer 2

The A/C doesn't heat anything, it cools it. Yes, running the A/C compressor off the engine can use a little fuel. Running the heater does not since it merely circulates the warm water out the the radiator into a small heat exchanger in the vehicle. They have tested, and found running the A/C is more efficient than rolling down the windows because of the air drag.

Answer 3

The heat actually comes from the engine. The heat is a by-product of running the engine and would be wasted anyway so by using it to heat the interior of the car, you are in a sense recycling the heat, and are not using any more gas than you would be anyway. In my area we don't heat with A/C but with a heater which I suppose is conditioning the air somewhat. In short, if you're driving the car with the heat on, you would not be using more gas than driving with it off.

Answer 4

The heater runs engine coolant through the heating unit in the car, and this extra circulation reduces your mileage by 1 or 2 mpg depending on the car and speed traveled.

Answer 5

you might be wondering why the compressor comes on with defrost maybe ??? 2 reasons, to remove the moister from the air makes it easier to de-fog the windows and it cycles the ac system in the winter which prevents leaks (i.e. warranty repairs)

but the heater is actually seperate from the ac when its not in the defrost mode. and the heat comes from the coolant in the engine

Answer 6

on new cars the ac will not cycle with the temp gauge on hot.however if it does you will only be losing a gallon per tank to run the compressor,not 1-2 miles per gallon mentioned earlier.