Yes, this is possible. the air conditioner requires energy, which it usually draws from the engine. The engine must produce more power to maintain the air conditioning, which may result in higher fuel consumption. You can find out more about how it works here.
The air conditioning system consumes fuel, how much depends on how it works. As a rule, you can save fuel with a system that works automatically. The temperatures are set and maintained here with less energy consumption.
To influence fuel consumption with an air conditioning system, it is important to keep an eye on the settings. The selected temperature is also important, because it determines how much energy is required. In addition, drivers can also influence consumption through their driving behavior and speed.
How does the air conditioning system influence?
Contents of this guide
air conditioner in the car: the consumption always increases somewhat during use
From a certain vehicle class or. series air conditioning is standard equipment. It can be visited not only in the summer or. When outside temperatures are hot for a slightly more pleasant climate and air humidity inside the vehicle provide. car can also be used in winter for the correct distribution of air masses contribute. Like all additional electrical devices, the use of an air conditioner meant an increased consumption of fuel.
By how much the diesel or. fuel consumption with an air conditioning system increases, depends mainly on the operation and the settings from. Of course, this also applies to electric vehicles or. hybrid cars, since here too the air-conditioning system has an additional load for the energy requirement can represent.
In principle, most of the systems use filters and compressors, to cool or heat the air. The energy required for this purpose is drawn from the vehicle, using the sources available there such as engine, alternator or battery. In order to produce the required power, the engine must have a certain power bring. Thus, the air conditioning system influences the consumption in the vehicle.
The mode of operation can be decisive
How one air conditioner works, may well have an impact on the amount of energy required. Vehicle owners can choose between manual and automatic variants choose. While the former has to be adjusted by the driver, the latter adapts itself to the driver’s needs automatically to the conditions at. In the case of manual settings, it may then be the case that the system for longer time on maximum power runs, although this is not necessary.
The fuel consumption of an air conditioner increases in this case usually on, as the energy demand then constantly high is. Automatic systems switch off or reduce the performance when the desired destination or. The set temperature is reached and thus minimize the energy consumption. even then, these air-conditioning systems won’t turn on until, when it is necessary, to maintain the climate in the vehicle. This can be both during cooling as well as in the heating system may be the case, which means that the system usually more efficient makes.
In summary, the two variants carry as follows to consumption:
- Manual air conditioning: fuel consumption may increase due to continuous operation, adjustments must be made manually
- Automatic air conditioning: consumption increases with use, but increase may be less due to automatic switching on and off
The consumption by the air conditioner also depends on the way it functions.
There are also variants which mix both forms. Semi-automatic air conditioning systems generally use sensors for cooling.
The blower must then be however, manually adjust. With all three forms, the set temperature a decisive factor when it comes to consumption with air conditioning systems.
The greater the difference between the interior and exterior temperatures, the more energy is needed to compensate. Drivers should therefore pay attention to the difference in the settings does not turn out to be too large.
How much does the air conditioner consume in fuel?
With the use of an air conditioner the consumption is on average between 10 % and 15 % higher than without. If you drive mostly in the city, this can result in additional consumption of ca. 0.54 liters per 100 km mean. Outside of city traffic, when driving at relatively steady speeds, this can be off 100 km/h a little 0.3 liter contribute more.
To keep the extra consumption low to keep, drivers should still following tips take to heart: