Does Using Air Conditioning While Driving in Summer Increase Fuel Consumption?
2 Answers
Using air conditioning while driving in summer does increase fuel consumption. The amount of fuel consumed by the air conditioning is determined by the following two factors: 1. The main factor is the power of the air conditioning compressor; 2. The set temperature of the air conditioning and the ambient temperature. The temperature affects the actual working power of the air conditioning and indirectly influences the actual fuel consumption. Below is additional information: 1. The refrigeration principle of a car's air conditioning involves pressurizing the refrigerant through the compressor to liquefy and then vaporize it, absorbing heat from the air in the process. 2. The power source for this process is the air conditioning compressor, which is driven by the engine belt. Therefore, using the air conditioning inevitably consumes part of the engine's power, which is why the operation of the car's air conditioning leads to fuel consumption.
I've been driving for over a decade, and every summer when I turn on the AC, I notice the car burns fuel much faster. This is mainly because the AC system requires the engine to help drive it, forcing the engine to work harder and consume more gasoline. Based on my observations, using the AC in city traffic can increase fuel consumption by 15% to 20%, while on the highway, it's around 10%. For example, with my older sedan, the fuel gauge on the dashboard noticeably drops when the AC is on. However, not using the AC in extreme heat can lead to heatstroke and affect driving focus, so I recommend using the AC but lowering the fan speed or temperature—setting it at 24°C feels quite comfortable—or using recirculation mode to reduce energy consumption. Regularly cleaning the AC filter can also make it run more efficiently, saving fuel and money in the long run. Ultimately, safety comes first—don’t skimp on AC usage in summer just to save a bit on fuel.
