What is the fuel consumption of FAW J6P at idle with air conditioning on?
3 Answers
FAW J6P consumes approximately 2 liters of fuel per hour when idling with air conditioning on. However, it is not recommended to keep the air conditioning on while idling, as this can lead to significant carbon buildup. FAW J6 is a heavy-duty truck, and most heavy-duty trucks achieve optimal fuel efficiency at a speed of 70 km/h under standard load conditions. Vehicle Specifications: FAW J6 is a 6x4 tractor with a body length of 7300 mm, width of 2550 mm, height of 3980 mm, wheelbase of 3450 mm + 1350 mm, front track of 2020 mm, rear track of 1850 mm, curb weight of 9.6 tons, gross combination weight of 39.205 tons, and a maximum speed of 129 km/h. Engine: FAW J6 is equipped with a Xichai inline six-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 11.05L, paired with a FAW Jiefang 12-speed manual transmission. It delivers a maximum output power of 342 kW, maximum torque of 2200 Nm, maximum horsepower of 460, maximum torque speed range of 1000-1400 rpm, and rated speed of 1900 rpm. Other Configurations: The vehicle accommodates 2 passengers, features an aluminum alloy fuel tank with a capacity of 800L, has 10 tires with size 12R22.5, a rear axle of 435 welded bridge design with a permissible load of 18000 kg (for two axle groups), rear axle ratio of 3.727, and spring leaf count of 3/4.
I have extensive experience with the FAW J6P truck, having driven it on several long-distance trips. It's true that idling with the air conditioning on significantly increases fuel consumption. Under normal idling conditions without AC, it consumes about 1 liter of fuel per hour. However, when the AC is turned on, the engine load increases, leading to an additional consumption of 0.5 to 1 liter of diesel, raising the total fuel consumption to 1.5 to 2.5 liters per hour. The impact is quite substantial, influenced by factors like engine size, AC power, and external temperature. During summer under high load conditions, it might even exceed 2.5 liters. I recall one time being stuck in traffic with the AC on during idling for half an hour, and the fuel gauge dropped noticeably. Prolonged idling like this not only burns money but also accelerates engine wear and increases emissions. I'd recommend avoiding extended idling periods; if you need to use the AC, choose a cooler spot or turn off the engine to rest.
I often drive trucks and have encountered the idle air conditioning fuel consumption issue with the FAW J6P many times, averaging about 1.5 to 3 liters of diesel per hour. This figure is quite alarming because the engine operates inefficiently at idle, and when the air conditioning compressor kicks in, it relies on the engine to power it, leading to additional fuel consumption. It's manageable for short daily trips, but if stuck in city traffic, running the air conditioning for half an hour can waste nearly 2 liters of fuel, burning through dozens of yuan directly. A fuel-saving method is to use the recirculation mode or periodically open windows for ventilation to avoid pure idling, as a large truck fuel tank doesn't mean you can be wasteful. Other similar models behave the same way, and timely maintenance of the air conditioning system can help reduce the burden.
