does cars really consume more gas if we put Air conditioner ON?

Answer 1

It does not require more fuel to burn the AC in a car than to leave it off. It was on Mythbusters. The difference is so small that it does not matter if its on or off, it will burn the same amount of gas.

Answer 2

Yes it does use more gas when using the air conditioner and here is why. Using the air has the air compressor running in the engine compartment. That puts a harder load on the engine. It has a fan that would normally not be running in front of a engine to be running that needs to keep the condenser cooler. The blower motor that is needed inside the car to push the cool air through all puts a larger strain on the alternator that would normally not be there. Which all causes a larger strain on the engine which causes alot more gas needed to run a motor. Not as much when driving down a highway as when driving in a city. But still all will take more gas to use the air cause you are putting two items that the engines needs to turn that it normally wouldn't need to use the extra power to turn.

Answer 3

Yes, but its minimal, if a car is fitted with an air con compressor, its using fuel even when it's turned off.
In a hot country like Australia, I use my air con 4 months of the year, but shut it off before I turn the motor off, (less strain on start up.)
During the colder months I run it for at least 10 min per month, just to keep the refrigerant moving around the system.

As a professional driver I can always spot the cars without air con, there the ones who are always weaving through the traffic, always travelling a bit faster than everyone else, just to keep the air moving through the windows.

A hot driver is a dangerous driver, in my personal vehicle I always ensure I have.
Auto trans, working air, and good sound system, any trip I make I want to be as comfortable as possible, I would rather be 10 Min's late than die 20 years early.

If it's fitted, USE IT!, a few cents in your gas bill is nothing compared to the danger you can become on the road when your hot.

Answer 4

A pulley on the compressor is connected to the crankshaft pulley on the engine. When you use the a/c your engine had to work harder since the compressor pulley has a load on it. On the freeway you do not burn that much more gas since the engine is running at a high speed constantly. However, in city dirving (stop and go) your engine works harder to speed up the car when you hit the gas. An additional load put on the engine by the compressor plus this extra work of acceleration = poor gas mileage. On the freeway you will lose maybe 1-3 mpg while in he city you can expect a loss of 3-5 mpg. To save gasoline you can shut your compressor off 2-5 minutes before you reach your destination. The car will still blow cool air for a few minutes and you will save a little gasoline. This method also reduces mold growth on the evaporator in the car.

Answer 5

Cars do consume more fuel with air conditioners in use than without air conditioners in use. It takes energy to run the a.c. compressor - and this means more engine load which requires more fuel.

Running the heater is a different story. The heater uses engine waste heat to heat the interior. If the heater did not use it, it would be discharged to the outdoors in the radiator.

Answer 6

The air conditioner uses energy, but having windows open when driving fast uses more. For slow driving in city traffic, leaving the windows open will conserve gas. But I prefer to conserve my comfort.

Answer 7

Only if you don't roll the windows down, and then you won't save enough gas to notice a difference
Riding with the windows down causes a resistance which in turn uses more gas.

Answer 8

Yes, they do. Moving that compressor takes energy, and that energy has to come from somewhere. That is why AC increases your fuel consumption.