How much does car fuel consumption differ with and without air conditioning?

2 Answers
LuciaFitz
07/23/25 11:57pm
The difference is 20%. The car air conditioning accounts for about 20% of the engine's power, so using the air conditioning consumes a portion of the engine's power, leading to an increase in fuel consumption. The specific increase in fuel consumption depends on the car's displacement and speed. Details are as follows: 1. Impact on fuel consumption: For a car that typically consumes 10 liters per 100 kilometers, using the air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by about 2 liters. The effect of air conditioning on fuel consumption is very noticeable, while the impact of different fan speeds is relatively smaller. For example, assuming a car is used for urban commuting with an average fuel consumption of 10 liters per 100 kilometers. 2. Reasons for the increase: Taking an average daily driving distance of 25 kilometers: driving 25 kilometers consumes 2.5L of fuel = 16.1 yuan (6.44 yuan/liter); with air conditioning, fuel consumption is 3L = 19.32 yuan: an additional cost of 3.22 yuan. The car's engine essentially powers the air conditioning compressor, so when the cooling air conditioning is turned on, the pressure on the car's engine increases, requiring more gasoline to burn for power. This is why sometimes when the cooling air conditioning is turned on while driving, the car's power feels slightly weaker, due to the increased pressure on the engine.
Was this review help?
9
2
Share
LilyMarie
08/10/25 7:46pm
I've been driving for over a decade, and using AC does noticeably increase fuel consumption. One summer on the highway, my fuel consumption was 8L/100km without AC, but with AC it jumped to 9.5L, roughly a 20% increase. In stop-and-go traffic, it's even worse—the repeated cycling of the AC compressor can increase fuel consumption by up to 25%. Rolling down the windows? That works at low speeds, but once you hit 80 km/h, the increased wind resistance makes it even less efficient than using AC. Older cars are affected more—my decade-old SUV saw nearly a 30% increase in fuel consumption after the compressor aged. My advice? Don’t set the temperature too low; 24°C is the most economical.
Was this review help?
4
2
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What Causes Loud Low-Frequency Noise and Ear Pressure in the Car?

The vehicle engine is one source of car noise, and its mechanical noise varies with the engine speed (primarily transmitted into the cabin through: the front fender, hood, firewall, and exhaust pipe). Relevant information about car engines is as follows: 1. Introduction: A car engine is the device that provides power to the vehicle, acting as the heart of the car, determining its power, fuel efficiency, stability, and environmental performance. Common gasoline and diesel engines are both types of reciprocating piston internal combustion engines. 2. Classification: Based on the power source, car engines can be categorized into diesel engines, gasoline engines, electric vehicle motors, and hybrid types, among others.
15
5
Share

Is there a discrepancy between navigation mileage and actual distance?

There is a slight discrepancy between navigation mileage and actual distance, with an error margin within 1 kilometer per hour. Below is a detailed introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of in-car navigation systems: 1. Advantages: In-car navigation boasts two major strengths - high positioning accuracy and strong signal reception, enabling real-time location updates even in tunnels. 2. Disadvantages: Since the central control touchscreen is fixed on the vehicle's dashboard, searching for locations and typing can be extremely inconvenient. Many functional buttons are also poorly positioned, negatively impacting user experience. Except for certain professional map manufacturers' car-specific navigation versions, in-car map updates are infrequent and the updating process is cumbersome.
6
5
Share

Will the car battery die if the door is left unlocked overnight?

Forgetting to lock the car door for one day is unlikely to drain the battery. However, when the car doesn't require key insertion to open doors, some electrical components will activate - such as interior lights and door ajar alerts. These devices may potentially drain the car battery overnight. Relevant information about car doors follows: 1. Introduction: The car door provides entry/exit access for drivers and passengers while isolating external disturbances. It offers some side impact protection and contributes to the vehicle's aesthetics through its design. 2. Quality standards: Door quality is primarily reflected in impact protection performance, sealing capability, and opening/closing convenience, along with other functional indicators. Impact protection is particularly crucial because during side collisions, the short buffer distance makes passengers vulnerable to injury.
1
1
Share

What is the positioning of the Haval H2?

The Haval H2 is positioned as a compact SUV, with dimensions of 4330mm in length, 1815mm in width, and 1700mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2560mm. The vehicle features the Haval family's signature hexagonal and large-U-shaped grille designs, complemented by standard LED daytime running lights with a diamond-inlaid effect, creating a highly recognizable front fascia. The Haval H2 comes standard with an EPB electronic parking brake, AVH auto hold, a multifunction steering wheel, a keyless entry and start system, a large panoramic sunroof, 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic climate control, power-folding exterior mirrors, and heated exterior mirrors.
7
4
Share

How to Force Unlock the P Gear in Mondeo?

To force unlock the P gear in the Mondeo, press the yellow button located in front of the gearbox. The P gear is a common gear position in automatic transmission vehicles, usually situated at the front of the gear lever console, ahead of the R gear. It locks the axle when the car is stationary on a slope to prevent slipping. In terms of interior, the Mondeo offers two color schemes: light and dark. The base model only comes with a light interior, while the luxury sports version features a dark interior. The remaining five models offer both color options. Regarding body dimensions, the Mondeo measures 4860 mm in length, 1854 mm in width, and 1480 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2850 mm.
18
2
Share

What Causes Car Paint to Crack?

If corrosive substances such as bird droppings or tree sap remain on the car for a long time without being cleaned, prolonged exposure to high temperatures in summer can cause the car paint to crack. Below is an introduction to car paint: 1. Introduction: Car paint is a protective film sprayed onto the vehicle, a type of coating that makes the car body less susceptible to corrosion and also enhances its aesthetic appeal. Different types of car paint produce different effects. 2. Advantages: The main characteristics of car paint include excellent film fullness, high gloss, strong hardness, good adhesion, and superior mechanical properties. It maintains excellent gloss retention, weather resistance, and abrasion resistance, as well as good resistance to acids, alkalis, alcohol, and gasoline.
3
4
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.