How to use car air conditioner properly and save fuel
Using car air conditioning properly will help you save a lot of money while still being effective.
On modern cars, the air conditioner has the task of providing clean filtered air, maintaining the appropriate temperature and humidity of the air flow circulating in the passenger compartment, but this is also an extremely complex system. Therefore, if there is an error during use, the air conditioner will have to work overload, affecting the fuel consumption of the car. To use the car air conditioner properly will help you save your wallet while still being effective, you need to note some of the following experiences:
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Understand the operating principles of car air conditioning
Normally, you should let the fan take in air while turning on the air conditioner (A/C) to cool the air inside quickly. You should only take in outside air when driving in a fresh air environment or when the weather is cool so that the car has oxygen.
A study shows that if the car turns off the air conditioner and lowers the windows at a speed below 80km/h, it will save more fuel. When the car is running at over 80km/h, the fuel to run the air conditioner will be less than the amount of fuel the car consumes to compensate for the air resistance when the windows are lowered. Therefore, about 15 minutes before the end of the journey, you should open the window and turn off the air conditioner and let in outside air so that the temperature inside and outside the car does not differ much.
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Cover your car when it's too hot. |
Park in the shade, avoid large temperature differences
Parking in harsh sunlight will increase the temperature in the car, affecting the interior of the car, and causing toxic odors from leather seats, plastic, and paint. Not only that, the air conditioner will consume a lot of fuel to cool the hot air accumulated in the cabin. Therefore, when parking, if conditions permit, you should find a shady place or proactively equip accessories such as sunshades and car covers.
When parking, you should also lower the car windows 1-2 cm to help the air in the car be more airy. In addition, the car windows should be covered with frosted glass or use additional curtains or sunshades.
In case you cannot find a shady parking space as desired, proactively equip yourself with appropriate sun protection accessories.
Start the car 5 minutes before turning on the air conditioner
When getting in the car, because the temperature inside the car is very high, before turning on the air conditioner, you should reduce the temperature inside the car by opening and closing the door a few times before getting in the car. Next, roll down all the windows, let in outside air, turn on the fan to the highest setting. After driving for a few minutes, you can close the windows, turn on the A/C, let in inside air, then gradually reduce the fan level to the desired coolness.
Use air conditioning flexibly and appropriately
Depending on the number of passengers, adjust the appropriate air conditioning capacity. Another tip is to let the air conditioner cool down slowly, avoiding the situation where this device has to change the temperature too low or too high suddenly.
Air conditioning care and maintenance
Finally, you should regularly maintain the air conditioner on time at service workshops and professional garages. The parts that need to be checked and maintained are: Condenser, evaporator, return air filter; Clean fan will increase the heat exchange efficiency of the air conditioner; Check the gas because when the gas is lacking, it will reduce the efficiency of the air conditioner.
You should also check the rubber gaskets of the underbody doors to ensure they are still tight.
