2007-05-27 02:59:40 · 10 answers · asked by SOLO 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
whenever you turn on the A/C it takes more to turn the engine. when you put more of a load on the engine it will burn more gas.
2007-05-27 03:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by sa05freshman91 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not always. When the AC is on in stop n go city traffic, you use more because of the extra load on the engine. But when driving at continuous highway speeds, it's more economical to roll up the windows and use the AC. With the windows down, there is actually an increase in drag, because of all the air coming into the car's interior, and the engine works harder to maintain speed, thus, your car consumes more gas.
2007-05-27 03:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is true. Your A/C takes a certain amount of power to operate. That power comes from your engine. In order for your engine to produce that extra power, it requires more gas. Other things such as under inflated tires and need for a tune up can also use more gas. Under inflated tires create more "resistance" on the road making your engine use more power (gas) to move your vehicle. An engine in need of a tune-up, especially the carburetor, can waste gas significantly. These are just a few things that can affect gas mileage, but these are very simple and easy solutions that will help. Good luck.
2007-05-27 03:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by badbob5424@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be true, but not on today's cars.
A/C compressors used to take a lot of horse power to turn, some took as much as 20-30hp! and when you used them the extra load on the engine caused milage to go down.
But today's cars use much more efficient compressors and the power it takes to turn them is less.
Now, it takes more fuel to drive with the windows down and the A/C off (more aerodynamic drag) than it does to have the windows up & the A/C on.
Small cars were more prone to getting poorer milage with the A/C on than big cars. Because the small cars had less powerful engines.
2007-05-27 03:10:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that running the air conditioner in a stop and go environment will decrease your mileage. There is some validity in highway driving that one will get better mileage with the windows up and using the fan or air conditioner for comfort.
My manual states to leave the fan on at all time to allow for greater air circulation.
2007-05-27 03:16:32 · answer #5 · answered by david42 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, this was a myth looked into on Mythbusters. Turns out that yes, it does burn more gas, though it isn't a huge amount.
2007-05-27 03:04:43 · answer #6 · answered by bardryn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you are 100% right, when you turn your A/c you are overloading the engine because the A/C compressor is operating .
2007-05-27 03:37:22 · answer #7 · answered by Rajab 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Solo (like to pronoun your name in cantonese). Load is one of the factors affecting fuel consumption. Keep all the rest in constant, heavier the load higher the fuel consumption.
2007-05-27 03:12:48 · answer #8 · answered by Passo L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. the AC runs on the battery. i can't even think of how that would play into some complex scientific explination about aerodynamics or pressures or anything like that.
2007-05-27 03:08:14 · answer #9 · answered by Shamus O'Larry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
true or not ...I don't care....AC in a car cost 1200 to 1500 dollars.... say i drive 200 miles...say miliage drops from 28 to 26mpg...i would spend about $..1.70,,,,thats about a 4 hour trip....ill pay it...
2007-05-27 03:10:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋