Which consumes more fuel: using car air conditioning or opening windows?
2 Answers
On urban roads, using air conditioning clearly consumes more fuel than opening windows. However, on highways at 70 km/h, the fuel consumption between opening windows and using air conditioning is quite similar. Below 70 km/h, opening windows saves slightly more fuel, while above 70 km/h, opening windows consumes more fuel. 1. Air conditioning temperature at 25°C: This is the most suitable setting. One major reason for high fuel consumption in summer is the excessive use of car air conditioning. Therefore, reducing the fuel consumption caused by the air conditioning will lower the vehicle's actual fuel usage. 2. Open windows before turning on the air conditioning: Prolonged use of air conditioning increases engine load and fuel consumption. After entering the car, owners can first open the windows to let out the hot air inside, then turn on the air conditioning. Adjust the air conditioning settings periodically to avoid keeping it at high settings all the time.
Whether using air conditioning or opening windows consumes more fuel really depends on driving speed. At low speeds, such as in city traffic jams, opening windows hardly increases fuel consumption, but using air conditioning makes the engine work harder, potentially adding 1-2 liters per 100 kilometers. At high speeds, it's different—opening windows above 80 km/h creates significant wind resistance, quickly increasing fuel consumption, while using air conditioning becomes more fuel-efficient and keeps the car cool and comfortable. Over my years of driving, I've made it a habit to open windows in the city and immediately close them to turn on air conditioning on highways for optimal fuel efficiency. Don’t forget weather factors: in extreme summer heat, using air conditioning reduces the risk of drowsy driving, which is more important than saving fuel. Regular maintenance of the air conditioning system also helps maintain stable fuel consumption.
