Common A/C & Fuel Efficiency Myths Debunked

Apr 3, 2020 | Air Conditioning, Blog, Summer

Summer is right around the corner; these are perhaps the best days when the light seems to stay until 10 pm. When it gets hot outside, nothing feels better than rolling down your windows or better yet cranking up the AC. Nevertheless, gas is quite expensive, and finding the right way to keep cool on a hot sunny day may help you save some of your hard-earned money.

Does the car use more fuel using the AC? This is a big debate, and industry experts have varied opinions on the same. Some feel the AC’s strain on the engine, just like the steering fluid pump, or alternator doesn’t place any substantial pressure on the engine, while others feel the AC strains the engine leading to more fuel consumption when it’s turned on.

Your car air conditioner is a vital component that works to keep your cabin fresh, comfortable, and safe during hot weather. What you might not know is that the AC system is operated by your car engine, which, when triggered, adds load on your engine as it runs. As a result, your engine will use more power (more fuel) to satisfy the increasing power demand.

Post Navigation

1. Is Fuel Efficiency Affected By My Air Conditioner?

2. Don’t Overuse Your Brakes

3. Your Air Conditioner Will Work Hardest When Your Car Is Hot.

4. AAMCO Colorado AC Service and Maintenance

5. More From Our Blog

Is Fuel Efficiency Affected By My Air Conditioner?

There’s no direct answer to this question since there are several different factors at play here. For starters, temperatures outside play a big role, as well as the size of your car’s engine, make and model, and the condition of the air conditioner along with other factors.

However, according to the US EPA, cranking up the AC when the temperatures are high will increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption by up to 25 percent. The effect is even more significant in Hybrid cars, compared to regular gasoline engine cars. The best defense against decreasing your fuel economy is quite simple. When driving at lower speeds, use your windows. Only turn on the AC when you get to the highway.

Also, make sure that your engine and AC system are in good working condition and properly maintained. If you suspect your AC may be faulty, consulting a professional mechanic such as one from AAMCO Colorado could help you identify the problem and get it working to its full potential. It’s also essential to make sure that your AC has the right level of refrigerant.

Related: How Do You Know Your A/C Is Truly Broken?
Related: Summer Car Care Tips
Related: Dog-Safe Summer Travel Tips
Recent Posts
Categories
Book Online

How Can I Balance Comfort and Gas Mileage?

According to a study done by Consumer Reports, using your AC affects your gas mileage. You can use the following tips to reduce your consumption and still enjoy your AC.

Stay Cool & Rule On

AAMCO Colorado is dedicated to provding essential care services for all components inside and out. Prep for Summer the right way.

Schedule an Appointment
Learn More

  • Using your AC burns up fuel.

    • Therefore, it’s wise to use it sparingly. In case the temperatures outside your car are pleasant, roll down your windows, letting your car cool down for a few minutes before using the AC on low.

     

  • Your Air conditioner will work hardest when your car is hot.

    • Parking your car under a shade when running errands will eliminate the need to blast your AC on full for extended periods. You can also invest in high-quality sun visors that will help reflect sun rays from your vehicle.

     

  • When cruising above 40 mph, roll up your windows and keep your AC on low settings.

    • When driving below 40 mph, roll your windows down to keep the cabin fresh. Keep in mind that running the AC vents doesn’t use extra fuel.

     

  • Your vehicle’s size, engine, and body significantly affect your AC’s performance.

    • While the modern AC’s are designed to be efficient regardless of the car body, size, and engine, they are still powered by a belt connected to the engine. Larger vehicles like SUVs and Vans have more significant engines but more space to cool while smaller cars have small motors and less space to cool.

     

    If you are concerned about saving fuel, then it’s essential to consider the above smart driving tips.

    AAMCO Colorado AC Service and Maintenance

    Your Air conditioner, just like any other component, plays an integral part in keeping you comfortable as you drive down the road. At AAMCO Colorado, we specialize in Air conditioning repair, maintenance, and service.

    Our qualified mechanics have industry experience, necessary skills, and state of the art equipment to resolve any issues with your AC effectively. We are also a leader when it comes to transmission repair and maintenance. AAMCO Colorado also offers other car care services such as suspension service and maintenance, engine tune-up services, electrical system repair and service, and many more.

    Does your car surge when you crank up your AC? It could be an electrical fault! Contact us immediately for a car AC repair today. Our professional technicians will be more than glad to help you resolve your problem in good time.

    Recent Posts from Our Blog

    First 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working

    First 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working

    Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three...

    read more
    Top 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn

    Top 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn

    It’s important to help your teenage kids become more comfortable around cars and understand basic car care. While much of car care is about knowing when to bring your car to an auto repair shop, there are also certain tasks that can be done at home, as well as ways to...

    read more
    First 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working

    First 3 Things to Check if Your AC Stops Working

    Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three...

    read more
    Top 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn

    Top 5 Car Skills Your Teens Should Learn

    It’s important to help your teenage kids become more comfortable around cars and understand basic car care. While much of car care is about knowing when to bring your car to an auto repair shop, there are also certain tasks that can be done at home, as well as ways to...

    read more
    Loading...

    Find Your Local AAMCO Colorado

    '

    Navigate our Blog

    Recent Posts
    Categories

    Schedule an Appointment

    BOOK NOW

    The information contained in this website, or any of our content, videos, and publications is for general information purposes only. Learn more about our information disclaimer »