ive heard that when you use the heater or fans or AC the cars burns gas faster.. is that true?
thx
2006-12-28 10:08:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
A car wont burn more gas using the heat or just the blower fan. The A/C, however, will increase the fuel consumption in an engine. The reason for this is an A/C compressor will put a higher load on an engine using around 20hp or so depending on make/model of the vehicle. While the A/C compressor is running, the engine then has to make up that extra hp and burns more fuel.
They did a test on a show called Mythbusters a while back that proved that a car will use more fuel with the a/c on than a similar car with just the windows down.
2006-12-28 10:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by toyoguru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The A/C has a mechanical compressor driven by the engine, so it does take some gas to drive it. The fans take a tiny bit of power to drive, but it's pretty much impossible to measure a change in gas mileage from them. And the heater requires no extra gas whatsoever - it gets its heat from something like a little bitty radiator under the dash, and the engine would be making the heat whether the heater is on or not.
2006-12-28 11:19:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The car will go through gas faster with the AC on depending on the speed of the car. There is a speed at which if your traveling slower than that you are more economical on gas with the windows open, but faster than that speed you are more economical with windows closed and AC on. I can't remember what the speed is exactly but I think its something between 50 and 55miles - saw it on an episode of Myth Busters once.
As for the heat I'm not sure
2006-12-28 10:15:24 · answer #3 · answered by brat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has nothing to do with the fans. But yes when you use your Air Conditioning or DEFROSTER for the front windshield. The air conditioning uses the compressor under the hood and uses more gas because it is tough to turn. The defroster runs the compressor to keep it from seizing up over the winter. We don't use the air conditioning during the winter so when you turn on the defroster it turns on the compressor to run it a bit.
2006-12-28 10:16:14 · answer #4 · answered by wilbur_v2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT TRUE. the ONLY time you might lose a minuscule amount of gas mileage is when you run the compressor for the a/c unit which does get turned on usually by selecting the defrost button for heat to keep the compressor lubricated. by minuscule, i mean maybe a 1/10 of a mpg.
Let me know if you need anything or have any other questions!
logixautoparts.com
2006-12-28 10:15:32 · answer #5 · answered by logixautoparts.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is only true when you have the A/C on cold. The A/C compressor puts a load on the engine so you have to press the gas pedal more.
2006-12-28 10:14:36 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
until recently i believed the same thing. truth is you use more gas with the windows down and ac off(in summer) due to wind resistance. heaters don't use extra gas either.i heard this on one of the news mag. shows.
2006-12-28 10:14:24 · answer #7 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. The defroster part of your heating system will ramp up the engine rpm's a little, AC the most.
2006-12-28 10:46:55 · answer #8 · answered by HowFuzzyWuzee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will when you run the a/c because the it puts more of a load on the engine by having to turn the a/c compressor.
2006-12-28 10:13:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is for A/C not for the heater
2006-12-28 10:12:08 · answer #10 · answered by powerstroker_18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋