Does using air conditioning in summer or winter consume more fuel?

[NolanRose]

Using air conditioning in summer consumes more fuel than in winter. Reasons why air conditioning consumes more fuel in summer than in winter: In summer, the car's air conditioning cools the interior, while in winter, it heats the interior. Generally, when the car's air conditioning is used in winter, the engine generates heat as soon as the car starts, and part of this heat is transferred from the engine to provide warmth, saving a significant amount of fuel. How car air conditioning works: Based on signals from various sensors that detect the interior temperature, evaporator temperature, engine coolant temperature, and other relevant switch signals, the system outputs control signals to manage the operation of the radiator fan, condenser fan, compressor clutch, blower motor, and air control motor, achieving automatic control of the interior temperature.

[SanCamila]

From my years of experience in car repair, using air conditioning in summer definitely consumes more fuel. The reason lies in the vehicle's AC system having a compressor that must continuously operate to provide cooling during summer, which directly consumes engine power and significantly increases fuel consumption. I've seen many vehicles experience a 10% to 20% increase in fuel consumption during high temperatures, especially in traffic jams where it gets even more extreme. Using the heater in winter is different—most vehicles utilize waste heat generated by the engine itself, blown into the cabin without requiring additional compressor usage, so fuel consumption remains largely unchanged. At most, there might be a slight increase if the defogging function is activated. From another perspective, newer cars come with automatic climate control, where winter defogging may briefly engage the compressor but with minimal impact. Overall, in summer, you need to maintain the AC system diligently to avoid issues, as neglecting it could lead to even higher fuel consumption and potential damage to the vehicle.

[Chad]

As a veteran driver with over a hundred thousand kilometers of experience, I've personally experienced how much fuel the air conditioning consumes in summer. I remember last July during a long trip, the fuel consumption shot up after turning on the AC, burning 10-20% more fuel than usual, which really hurt my wallet. In winter, using the heater is much easier on fuel, as it utilizes waste heat from the engine without additional cost. Of course, if your car requires the compressor for defogging, there might be a slight increase in fuel consumption, but it's much less than in summer. My advice is to use the AC less in summer and roll down the windows more for cooling—it's both cost-effective and comfortable. After driving for a long time, you'll realize these little tricks are crucial for saving money.

[VanEva]

From an economic perspective, using air conditioning in summer does consume more fuel. Let me break it down for you: running the car's AC in summer can increase fuel consumption by 5% to 15%, and it's not uncommon to spend dozens of yuan more on gas per month. In winter, using the heater mostly doesn't consume extra fuel, except when the compressor is used for defogging, which might increase consumption by 1% to 3%, but this is almost negligible. Therefore, summer is more costly. Smart saving tips include relying on waste heat in winter instead of constantly turning up the temperature and using the sunroof for ventilation in summer to reduce AC usage. The impact also varies by vehicle type: electric cars consume more electricity with AC, while fuel cars show a noticeable difference—selecting an eco-driving mode can help save money.