What is the fuel consumption of a 1.5L engine idling with AC on for one hour?
2 Answers
When a car idles with the AC on, it consumes approximately 1 liter more fuel per hour. Here are some precautions for using car air conditioning: 1. Turn off the A/C during startup and rapid acceleration: Starting the car consumes some of the engine's power, so it's best to turn off the A/C when starting or accelerating rapidly, and then turn it back on once the car is moving. This prevents insufficient engine power during acceleration and startup while also saving fuel. 2. Avoid setting the AC temperature too low: Many drivers prefer setting the temperature very low in summer, thinking it's more comfortable. However, this is a misconception, as a large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car can easily cause the driver to catch a cold. Additionally, excessively low temperatures may increase the risk of arthritis for passengers. Normally, the cabin temperature should be 5°C to 6°C different from the outside temperature. 3. Adjust the air vent direction: Based on the principle that cold air sinks and hot air rises, when using the AC, point the vents upward, and when using the heater, point them downward.
The fuel consumption of a 1.5L displacement car idling with the AC on for an hour really depends on the specific model. Generally speaking, based on my previous experiments with various compact cars, the base idling fuel consumption ranges from 0.7 to 1 liter per hour. Turning on the AC adds an extra load of 0.6 to 1 liter, so the total consumption usually falls between 1.3 to 2 liters. For example, my old family car measured a consumption of 1.5 liters, costing over ten yuan. This habit is neither wallet-friendly nor environmentally friendly. I often say, try to avoid idling for too long—it causes carbon buildup and is wasteful. On hot summer days, when waiting by the roadside, it's wiser to turn off the engine and use window ventilation or a car fan instead. This saves fuel and protects the engine's health.
