Does Using Air Conditioning in Gasoline Cars Consume More Fuel?

2 Answers
AlejandroLee
07/28/25 11:27pm
Whether it's idling for a long time with the air conditioner on or using the heater, both will increase fuel consumption. Here are the details: 1. Using the air conditioner in summer: The engine control unit increases the engine speed by about 100 RPM, which leads to an increase in air intake and fuel injection, resulting in a richer air-fuel mixture. The engine computer uses this method to improve engine stability. However, a richer mixture can lead to incomplete combustion of gasoline. Prolonged idling with the air conditioner on can cause more carbon deposits, making the engine consume more fuel. 2. Using the heater in winter: The heater blows warm air by utilizing the temperature from the heater core. The normal operating temperature of the engine is 85 degrees Celsius. Only when this temperature is reached can the engine operate normally. If the heater is used continuously, the heater core keeps dissipating heat, causing the engine temperature to rise slightly, which requires the engine to increase its RPM to meet the coolant temperature requirements. As a result, the vehicle will consume more fuel. Prolonged idling with the heater on will increase fuel consumption and lead to more carbon deposits.
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AdrianMarie
08/12/25 3:49am
After driving for so many years, I feel that using the air conditioning does increase fuel consumption. This is because the compressor of the air conditioning system is driven by the engine's power, requiring the engine to burn more fuel to provide additional power. Generally, when driving in the city, using the air conditioning may increase fuel consumption by about 10%, for example, consuming an extra 1-2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. This impact is significant, especially during long-distance driving in summer, when you can clearly notice the fuel gauge dropping much faster. To save fuel, I occasionally open the windows for ventilation instead of using the air conditioning in cool weather. However, in hot weather, using the air conditioning is necessary for comfort and safety—heatstroke is no small matter. Maintaining the air conditioning system is also crucial. For instance, regularly cleaning the filter can maintain efficiency and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. Overall, using the air conditioning does consume more fuel, but the trade-off is worth it.
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