air conditioning / fuel consumption

Seraphitia102 · Aug 16, 2006

This may be a rather odd and stupid question but does anyone know for sure that the higher I set my air conditioning inside my car, the more fuel goes to waste? I usually leave my A/C on the middle (2 tabs over) but was wondering if my A/C compressor actually works harder while all the way at the max. It's hot here in California.

DropTopPony · Aug 16, 2006

i get 3mpg less when i am using the air compared to no air windows down during local driving...now on the highway with the air on low i get the same mpg as i do with the windows down.

I would assume working the compressor harder will take more power and eat more gas theoretically.

Kilgore Trout · Aug 16, 2006

There was a thread on this the other day and SVTTech said that max and regular a/c used the same amount of fuel. Only difference was that the max setting is a "recirculate" mode and regular a/c draws in outside air.

Stang|ess · Aug 16, 2006

she was asking if it takes the compressor more effort to run at the max setting (notch 4), compared to a lower setting (notches 1-3).

Kilgore Trout · Aug 16, 2006

Oh, no I do not think so.

SaleenGT2001 · Aug 16, 2006

no, that just changes how much resistance the blower motor recieves

Kilgore Trout · Aug 16, 2006

Read her post carefully, she is asking about max vs regular a/c not blower fan speed.

Stang|ess · Aug 16, 2006

Kilgore Trout said:
Read her post carefully, she is asking about max vs regular a/c not blower fan speed.

Read it again, she's asking what I mentioned in my frist post

Kilgore Trout · Aug 16, 2006

Seriphita will tell us the answer...

Off topic, she has some serious coinage in her mustang

Stang|ess · Aug 16, 2006

Kilgore Trout said:
Seriphita will tell us the answer...

Off topic, she has some serious coinage in her mustang

I KNOW! She could have bought a blower, but I guess she prefers aesthetics first.

Anyways, let me break it down for you Killy.

Seraphitia102 said:
blahblah I usually leave my A/C on the middle (2 tabs over)I leave my AC on tab #2
but was wondering if my A/C compressor actually works harder while all the way at the max.If I turn it on the max (tab) will the compressor work harder? blahblah

You have to read the 2 lines together to understand what she's asking.

I'm going to be extremely embarassed if it turns out that I'm wrong

Stang|ess · Aug 16, 2006

She's gonna come back to see her thread has quite a few replies and be disappointed when it turns out no one answered her question

Mustang5L5 · Aug 16, 2006

Fuel use is the same no matter what setting it is on.

On Defrost, the compressor cycles more but with the A/C on it runs near continuously. Doesn't really matter what position the fan blower speed is in or if it's in Normal or MAx.

The difference between Normal and Max is that Normal takes outside air and cools it while MAX takes it from inside. Max is cooler since it is cooling air that has already been cooled. Normal is better for starting up since outside air is usually cooler than air sitting inside a car for some time in the hot sun. Also Normal may be better at nighttime or when the temp is just warm or it's slightly humid. Normal will also cause more dripping of water from under the car.

Kilgore Trout · Aug 16, 2006

Stang|ess said:
She's gonna come back to see her thread has quite a few replies and be disappointed when it turns out no one answered her question

I answered her question based on my interpretation in post #3

SaleenGT2001 answered her question based on your interpretation in post #6

mransr · Aug 16, 2006

Mustang5L5 said:
Fuel use is the same no matter what setting it is on.

On Defrost, the compressor cycles more but with the A/C on it runs near continuously. Doesn't really matter what position the fan blower speed is in or if it's in Normal or MAx.

The difference between Normal and Max is that Normal takes outside air and cools it while MAX takes it from inside. Max is cooler since it is cooling air that has already been cooled. Normal is better for starting up since outside air is usually cooler than air sitting inside a car for some time in the hot sun. Also Normal may be better at nighttime or when the temp is just warm or it's slightly humid. Normal will also cause more dripping of water from under the car.

+1

Seraphitia102 · Aug 16, 2006

Stang|ess said:
She's gonna come back to see her thread has quite a few replies and be disappointed when it turns out no one answered her question

HAHA I just wanted to know if I am working my compressor "not as hard" on notch level 2 as opposed to 4.

But thanks for all your efforts, and yes I guess I'm "coinage" in which I assume from what you guys wrote, it's spending more money on the outside than the inside.

Well yes, like most girls, looks are the most important. Performance will only get me to the next red light maybe 1-3 seconds faster, big deal. I rather look bitchin on the way over.

As for even more "coinage," I am getting a Saleen rear seat delete with 2 amplifiers sitting on the left and right with a capacitor in the middle, a new Mach 2 hood, and 2 brand new Saleen Recaro leather seats.

I'll probably get a Vortech SQ blower in February 2008, when my certified pre-owned warranty from Ford ends.

Mike97gt · Aug 16, 2006

Seraphitia102 said:
This may be a rather odd and stupid question but does anyone know for sure that the higher I set my air conditioning inside my car, the more fuel goes to waste? I usually leave my A/C on the middle (2 tabs over) but was wondering if my A/C compressor actually works harder while all the way at the max. It's hot here in California.

if it's over 80 degrees the A/C works LESS in the max position.. you will get better mileage because of this..

Max A/C uses recirculated a/c from inside the car instead of outside air.. since the inside air is cooler the system does not have to work as hard to cool the air.. Use this setting when it's above 80 degree or when the humidity is high.

if you use the blower fan on high the a/c will work slightly harder to keep the evap core temp around 40 degrees.. but the difference is small and you will not notcie any difference in MPG. So it's not worth suffering with the air hardly blowing out of the vents

dude496 · Aug 16, 2006

umm....does anybody on here actually know how a/c works...and how an alternator works?

Max vs. low, will be about the same.

A/C vs. windows down....on a city street will be about the same...on the highway, A/C will give you better gas mileage (windows down creates drag....watch the myth busters episode if ya think im b/s'ng you)

Mike97gt · Aug 16, 2006

dude496 said:
umm....does anybody on here actually know how a/c works...and how an alternator works?

Max vs. low, will be about the same.

A/C vs. windows down....on a city street will be about the same...on the highway, A/C will give you better gas mileage (windows down creates drag....watch the myth busters episode if ya think im b/s'ng you)

I think I know how a a/c system works I have years of background in fixing them and all the training ford offers on climate control systems done.

I am explaining how using max a/c setting on our cars switches to recirculated air, this allows the a/c system to cool already cooler interior air, this allows it to work less to keep the evap core temps at or near 40 degrees.

and yes you are right, windows up will give you better highway gas mileage. this is common knowledge, anybody with a clue as to how wind resistance effects engine load can understand that, and the amount of load the a/c system has on the motor is less than the load caused by the extra wind resistance, so you will get better highway mileage with the windows up and a/c on.. and even better mileage with the a/c off and windows up..

the98stang · Aug 16, 2006

dude496 said:
umm....does anybody on here actually know how a/c works...and how an alternator works?

Max vs. low, will be about the same.

A/C vs. windows down....on a city street will be about the same...on the highway, A/C will give you better gas mileage (windows down creates drag....watch the myth busters episode if ya think im b/s'ng you)

WRONG

They proved on mythbusters that you get better mileage with the windows rolled DOWN versus using the AC.

Susky · Aug 17, 2006

What if I put the top down and run the A/C on max?

air conditioning / fuel consumption

will post boobie pics for a supercharger

Noob Slayer

Fried or Broiled ?

seeking cyber partner(s)

Fried or Broiled ?

Well-Known Member

Fried or Broiled ?

seeking cyber partner(s)

Fried or Broiled ?

seeking cyber partner(s)

seeking cyber partner(s)

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Fried or Broiled ?

will post boobie pics for a supercharger

it doe snot

New Member

it doe snot

Active Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency