How much fuel does a car consume in one hour with the air conditioning on but not moving?
2 Answers
Different car models have varying fuel consumption when idling with the air conditioning on. Models with larger displacements tend to have higher idle fuel consumption, and the increase in fuel consumption when using the air conditioning is more noticeable. Below is additional information: 1. The main reason why air conditioning consumes fuel: The up-and-down movement of the car engine's pistons drives the crankshaft via connecting rods, converting the chemical energy in gasoline into mechanical kinetic energy. In addition to connecting to the transmission to provide power, the other end of the crankshaft also drives components such as the air conditioning compressor, alternator, and coolant pump via a belt. Therefore, the compressor indirectly operates using fuel, which is the primary reason why using the air conditioning consumes fuel. 2. The correct way to use the air conditioning: If the car has been exposed to the sun outdoors, upon entering the vehicle, you should first open the windows for ventilation and turn on the external circulation to expel the hot air. Once the interior temperature has dropped, switch to internal circulation. This method does not add any burden to the idling engine, saving fuel and protecting the engine. Before reaching your destination, turn off the air conditioning in advance, rather than waiting until the moment before turning off the engine.
I've tried idling with the AC on. Last week while waiting for someone at the airport for two hours, I specifically checked the fuel gauge. My 2.0L naturally aspirated SUV consumes about 1.6 liters of fuel per hour with the AC set at 23°C on auto mode. Actually, fuel consumption mainly depends on engine displacement and compressor power. A 1.5L compact car might only use 1 liter, while a large-displacement V6 could go up to 3 liters. A reminder: pay attention to engine bay cooling. I've seen cases where people idled with AC on for too long in traffic, leading to radiator overheating and repair costs over 4,000 yuan. In summer, it's best to open windows for ventilation before turning on the AC after the car has been baking in the sun. Real-world tests show this can save 20% in fuel consumption.
