How to save gas when using car air conditioning in the summer

Air conditioning systems are a major cause of increased fuel consumption in hot weather. Here are some ways to save gas when using car air conditioning.

Emissions Analytics, an organization specializing in fuel consumption research in the US, has just announced the results of a test with more than 100 cars in Los Angeles to determine the impact of turning on the air conditioner on the vehicle's fuel consumption.

Save gas when using car air conditioner in summer by choosing the right engine (Illustration photo)

The results showed that air conditioning had the biggest impact on hybrids. Diesels were the second most affected vehicles, with a drop of about 6.3 percent in the city and 3.3 percent on the highway, for a combined loss of 4.6 percent.

Vehicles using gasoline engines have the lowest impact, only decreasing by 5.1% in the inner city and 2.7% when running on the highway, for a combined 3.8%.

Use air conditioning properly

In car air conditioners, the temperature sensor is located right in the air outlet of the air conditioner, it only commands the compressor to turn off when the air outlet temperature reaches 5-70 C and closes again when the temperature increases to about 12¬0 C. In mechanical air conditioners (manual adjustment), the "blue/red" temperature adjustment is simply to mix the two hot and cold air streams together so that the air outlet temperature is moderate, but does not have the effect of turning the compressor on or off.

From the above analysis, we see that the most reasonable way to use the air conditioner is to turn the “green/red” button to the greenest (colder) position, and then adjust the wind speed as desired. In addition, some of the following experiences will help you use the air conditioner more reasonably.

You should apply frosted glass, you can use curtains or use sunshades, these things will limit the direct sunlight from "heating" the space inside the car. In the summer, when parking outdoors, you should find the shadiest place if possible, and should lower the windows 1-2cm to help the air inside and outside the car circulate.

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: open and close the door a few times before getting in the car, roll down all the windows, let in outside air, turn on the fan at the highest setting, drive the car for a few minutes, then when the engine is running smoothly, you can close the windows, turn on the A/C, let in inside air, then gradually reduce the fan level to get the desired coolness.

How car air conditioner works.

Normally you should let the fan take in air while turning on the A/C so that the air inside can cool quickly. You should only take in outside air when driving in a fresh air environment, or when it's cool so that the car has oxygen.

It is recommended to switch to air intake mode during heavy rain because taking in humid air at this time can cause water droplets to form in the cabin. When driving through high water areas, it is safest to turn off the air conditioner including the fan.

Research has shown 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 needed to run the air conditioner will be less than the amount of fuel the car consumes to compensate for air resistance when lowering the windows.

About 15 minutes before the end of the trip, 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.

Air conditioning care and maintenance

Finally, you should regularly maintain the air conditioner on time at service workshops and professional garages: the condenser, evaporator, return air filter, clean fan will increase the heat exchange efficiency of the air conditioner, check the gas, when the gas is lacking, it will reduce the efficiency of the air conditioner. You should also check the rubber gaskets of the door under the chassis to ensure tightness.

According to VnMedia