A/C? What Does it do?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31
From: New Jersey
A/C? What Does it do?
Hey guys, I was just wondering what affects air conditioning does to your car? The good and bad effects. Because whenever i put it in me idle is higher, my car dosent pull as hard, and i hear its pretty heavy. So, just let me know your thoughs.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 761
From: Florida
RE: A/C? What Does it do?
What does it do? It blows cold air on you [8D]
Smartassery aside, it doesn't hurt anything. I just puts a little extra work on the engine since it has the drive the compressor while you have the A/C on. You obviously want the A/C off if you are racing or anything like that, even though it does automatically disengage the compresser when you are at WOT.
EDIT: this apostrophe thing is annoying [:@]
Smartassery aside, it doesn't hurt anything. I just puts a little extra work on the engine since it has the drive the compressor while you have the A/C on. You obviously want the A/C off if you are racing or anything like that, even though it does automatically disengage the compresser when you are at WOT.
EDIT: this apostrophe thing is annoying [:@]
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 38
From:
RE: A/C? What Does it do?
Mythbusters did a show on this very topic. At low speeds, such as city driving, it uses more fuel because of the added strain on the engine. However, at highway speeds, the A/C has no appreciable effect on MPG at ALL.
Moral of the story is, turn off A/C while in city traffic (open the windows or put the top down) and turn ON the A/C on open highway driving.
Moral of the story is, turn off A/C while in city traffic (open the windows or put the top down) and turn ON the A/C on open highway driving.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 48
From:
RE: A/C? What Does it do?
Actually what the Mythbusters found was that you get better gas mileage with A/C on windows up than A/C off windows down at highway speeds. Having the A/C on at highway speeds will still lower mpg, ideally windows are up and A/C is off.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,062
From:
RE: A/C? What Does it do?
That Mythbusters episode was stupid! [&:]
First of all they used big SUV's for the test.. not very aerodynamic in the first place
then partway thru the test which was being done on a short oval track they decided to LOWER their speed for the purpose of safety. I don't think they were even going 55mph?
... the lower your speed the less effect aerodynamics has on cars efficiency performance. That's the reason why A/C in city driving (slow speed) isn't beneficial for improving MPG.
Bottom line, travelling at highway speeds in a CAR, a car with A/C on & windows UP will get slightly better economy than the same CAR with A/C off & windows down.
And of course you'd get the BEST fuel economy with windows up & A/C off but,, good luck maintaining sanity doing that on a +90F day
First of all they used big SUV's for the test.. not very aerodynamic in the first place
then partway thru the test which was being done on a short oval track they decided to LOWER their speed for the purpose of safety. I don't think they were even going 55mph?... the lower your speed the less effect aerodynamics has on cars efficiency performance. That's the reason why A/C in city driving (slow speed) isn't beneficial for improving MPG.
Bottom line, travelling at highway speeds in a CAR, a car with A/C on & windows UP will get slightly better economy than the same CAR with A/C off & windows down.
And of course you'd get the BEST fuel economy with windows up & A/C off but,, good luck maintaining sanity doing that on a +90F day
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