Does driving in summer consume more fuel?
2 Answers
Driving in summer consumes more fuel. Methods to determine car fuel consumption: Fuel consumption ÷ mileage × 100 = L/100KM, while the numbers before 1.6T and 1.8T represent the engine displacement, which is the sum of the volumes of each cylinder. The larger the displacement, the greater the power and the higher the fuel consumption. Factors affecting car fuel consumption: The amount of fuel a car consumes is not only related to the car itself but also to the driver's driving habits and road conditions. If the driving habits are poor and the car is frequently driven on congested roads, the fuel consumption will inevitably be relatively high.
Having driven for many years, I can confirm that fuel consumption is indeed higher in summer. When the weather is hot, most of us turn on the air conditioning, which requires the AC compressor to draw power from the engine, thereby increasing fuel consumption. Based on my own tests, using the AC can raise fuel consumption by about 10%, especially noticeable in traffic jams. Sometimes, forgetting to adjust the temperature and setting the AC too low burns fuel even faster. I recommend checking tire pressure before driving—under high temperatures, tire expansion increases rolling resistance, affecting fuel efficiency. During morning commutes, open the windows for ventilation for a few minutes first, then turn on the AC once the car cools down. Using recirculation mode helps maintain efficient cooling with less fuel consumption. On highways, although open windows increase drag, smart use of recirculation and moderate temperature settings can still save fuel. Regular maintenance of the AC system, such as replacing filters and recharging refrigerant, ensures proper operation and avoids extra fuel consumption. In short, the key to saving fuel in summer lies in optimizing AC usage habits.
