What is the fuel consumption when idling with the air conditioning on?
3 Answers
1.6L displacement idling with the air conditioning on for one hour consumes approximately 1.4-2.5 liters of fuel. The following are the specific drawbacks of idling with the air conditioning on: 1. High fuel consumption: Keeping the engine idling with the air conditioning on after parking consumes a lot of fuel because the compressor relies on the engine idling to operate, which can lead to incomplete fuel combustion and the formation of carbon deposits. 2. Toxic emissions: Incompletely burned fuel produces toxic substances such as carbon monoxide. If the car windows and doors are kept closed for a long time, these exhaust gases can enter the sealed cabin. When they accumulate to a certain level, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Idling with the air conditioning on emits more harmful exhaust gases than driving with the air conditioning on. The idling condition produces relatively higher amounts of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.
I often encounter situations where I idle with the air conditioning on while driving, such as waiting for someone in the summer or at a red light when I don't want to turn off the AC. As a result, I notice a significant increase in fuel consumption. Generally, it burns an extra 0.5 to 1 liter of fuel per hour, depending on the size of the car and how strong I set the air conditioning. For my small car, if I turn on the maximum cooling, idling for an hour might burn nearly 1 liter of fuel, which is equivalent to wasting money. I suggest turning off the AC and opening the windows for ventilation if the wait is short. After all, fuel prices are rising fast, and saving a bit now can also help reduce environmental pollution. Prolonged idling with the AC on isn't good for the engine either, as it can lead to carbon buildup. During regular car maintenance, checking the air conditioning system for refrigerant leaks can also prevent additional burdens. In short, idling with the AC on is convenient but not cost-effective, so it's best to handle it flexibly based on the situation.
As someone who enjoys tinkering with cars, I've noticed that the increased fuel consumption when idling with the AC on is mainly because the engine has to power the AC compressor even at low RPM, requiring extra fuel to maintain operation. Through actual testing, smaller displacement vehicles consume less fuel, about 0.5 liters per hour, while larger SUVs can consume up to 2 liters. I've observed with my older car that idling with the AC on for half an hour drops the fuel gauge by a small segment. Hot weather increases fuel consumption even more due to the fan running harder. I'd like to remind everyone not to underestimate this—it wastes fuel and increases emissions, while also putting extra strain on components like belts. Regular maintenance can mitigate these effects, such as cleaning the throttle body to ensure smooth airflow and keeping fuel consumption within reasonable limits.
