A/C

[slowhand99]

It can take some time to normalise or calibrate especially if the temperature outside is not extremely hot or cold. Settles down after a few miles though.

Sponsored

 

[daltron]

I was always told to run the ac as it keeps gas circulating and stops it deteriorating. I had a focus for 10 years and the ac was fantastic right up until I sold it.

No need to do that, keeping the AC on everytime you are in the car just for the sake of the freon does not benefit it.

 

[CoventryCapri]

I may be being a bit dim here (wouldn't be the first time!) but...

Does having the A/C on effect engine performance at all? and does it hit fuel economy?

No idea if it does or not, or whether it used to on old cars but not anymore, i just seem to remember getting told this years ago and have just used the windows as a aircon ever since!!!!

 

[lemers]

I may be being a bit dim here (wouldn't be the first time!) but...

Does having the A/C on effect engine performance at all? and does it hit fuel economy?

No idea if it does or not, or whether it used to on old cars but not anymore, i just seem to remember getting told this years ago and have just used the windows as a aircon ever since!!!!

I heard people say that anything the engine has to run; negatively effects performance. So they turn everything off. Not sure how much performance increase they are getting.



But I think the A/C deletes are more about weight

 

[slowhand99]

I may be being a bit dim here (wouldn't be the first time!) but...

Does having the A/C on effect engine performance at all? and does it hit fuel economy?

No idea if it does or not, or whether it used to on old cars but not anymore, i just seem to remember getting told this years ago and have just used the windows as a aircon ever since!!!!

It does take a lot of energy to turn the A/C compressor, so yes to both. Running the A/C occasionally when not in regular use keeps the seals lubricated and helps to stop them failing.

 

[Stark]

Before taking the car in, have you had a play with the climate settings i.e. switching it to auto, manually picking what vents you want to be open etc. It may be a case you have it just pointing at your feet and the warm air coming out of the other vents is just air being pushed out of the system

 

[croyde]

A/C really does affect MPG. I have only used it a couple of times since getting the car back in Jan but then most of my driving is on quick roads these days, thankfully not sitting in London traffic.

Both windows open at motorway speeds, I love it. Reminds me of being back on my motorbike.

PS Before anyone says it, yep! I know that having the windows open also affects mpg but it was on such a trip, wind in my hair and keeping to the limit where I achieved 37mpg.

 

[Enoch]

A/C really does affect MPG. I have only used it a couple of times since getting the car back in Jan but then most of my driving is on quick roads these days, thankfully not sitting in London traffic.

Both windows open at motorway speeds, I love it. Reminds me of being back on my motorbike.

PS Before anyone says it, yep! I know that having the windows open also affects mpg but it was on such a trip, wind in my hair and keeping to the limit where I achieved 37mpg.

If you wound the windows up and folded the rear seats down, you might have cracked 40mpg

 

[deep south]

I leave my ac on year round. In the "olden days" when the compressor was belt driven their was quite a hit, but modern ones are driven electrically and I don't think it actually makes that much difference - in my experience.

Your mileage may vary...

 

[Leeroy]

Electrically driven devices still impact the engine and economy/power - an electric motor under load results in a high current demand which means the alternator will work harder and give more rotating resistance....

Don't know where u lot live, but in all my cars I run a/c off and only switch on when properly hot and stuffy for a bit. Don't really think we have the heat to need it on tbh, use it all the time in hotter climates though

 

[lemers]

Electrically driven devices still impact the engine and economy/power - an electric motor under load results in a high current demand which means the alternator will work harder and give more rotating resistance....

Don't know where u lot live, but in all my cars I run a/c off and only switch on when properly hot and stuffy for a bit. Don't really think we have the heat to need it on tbh, use it all the time in hotter climates though

I can tell you about climate where auto A/C cant even overcome the heat.

Sponsored