Does turning on the car ION button consume more fuel?

[Sheldon]

Turning on the car ION button consumes more fuel. The ION button in a car refers to the negative ion air purification function, which can improve the air quality inside the vehicle. For vehicles equipped with the negative ion air purification function but without a physical ION button, it is usually integrated into the central control screen. You can find the ION touch button by accessing the air conditioning interface on the screen. The following are the functions of the ION car button: 1. Maintains air freshness: This function draws the air inside the car into the air conditioning system and releases it back, keeping the air inside the car circulating and fresh. 2. Filters fine particles: It transforms the fine particles that cannot be filtered by the air filter into larger particles that can be filtered by adsorbing them with negative ions, thereby achieving a purifying effect. 3. Adsorbs harmful substances: When this function is activated, the negative ion generator produces and releases a large number of negative ions. Since harmful substances like formaldehyde in the air can easily adsorb to these negative ions, they form larger particles and settle down, ultimately being filtered by the air filter to purify the air inside the car.

[Lacey]

Turning on the AC does increase fuel consumption somewhat, which has been quite evident in my years of driving experience. This is mainly because the compressor is driven by the engine, requiring the engine to consume more fuel to provide the necessary power. Take city driving as an example—when stuck at traffic lights, the compressor frequently cycles on and off, likely increasing fuel consumption by around 15%. On the highway, where wind resistance is lower, the increase is about 5-10%. In summer, the effect is even more noticeable, as the compressor runs almost continuously, making the fuel gauge drop rapidly. I've seen many friends press the accelerator harder when the AC is on, which also wastes extra fuel. So don’t underestimate this—if you drive frequently, it could add up to hundreds of dollars in extra fuel costs over a year. My advice is to keep the windows closed and the AC on while driving on the highway, as this reduces wind resistance and saves more fuel.

[DelJuliana]

I've tested it several times on long drives. Without the AC on, the fuel gauge stays steady, but once the AC is turned on, it starts fluctuating. Driving with windows down on the highway gives me a headache from the wind and actually consumes more fuel. In the city, turning on the AC on hot days increases fuel consumption by about 20%—the compressor keeps working even when the car is stopped, which really wastes fuel. Normally, I drive in manual mode, setting the temperature a bit higher to reduce compressor runtime, which helps save some fuel. Also, a dirty cabin air filter affects efficiency, so regular cleaning is important. Actually, factors like vehicle load and road conditions are related too, but overall, using the AC is a common reason for increased fuel consumption.

[IanDella]

From a cost-saving perspective, it's true that using air conditioning increases fuel consumption, and a reduction of 10-20 kilometers per tank is quite normal. If a full tank costing 400 yuan covers 500 kilometers, using air conditioning would add at least 50 yuan to the cost. In city traffic, the compressor runs more frequently, burning fuel faster, while on highways, it's slightly better. To save fuel, maintain a reasonable speed or use the recirculation mode to reduce the compressor's operating frequency. Regular vehicle maintenance can also minimize the risk of additional fuel consumption.

[MacBradley]

Turning on the AC increases engine load, naturally consuming more fuel, which I've verified multiple times during my commute. It's advisable to delay turning on the AC when starting the car to avoid excessive compressor heat absorption; using the AC with windows closed in traffic is more efficient than opening windows due to lower wind resistance. Frequent AC use in summer leads to a rapid rise in fuel costs, while it's better to use it sparingly in winter. Older vehicles require better maintenance, as clogged filters can exacerbate fuel consumption issues. A simple solution: use automatic climate control to maintain a stable temperature, avoiding frequent adjustments.