February 19, 2011
Does running the airconditioning in an automobile really use up a lot of gas?
I want to know is it better to keep the air conditioning off…will it save gas?
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Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Feb 19th, 2011. Comment. 
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Comments on Does running the airconditioning in an automobile really use up a lot of gas?
10% decrease in mileage on average.
Depends on if the car is auto or manual but either way it uses gas.
a/c also sucks power from the car = acceling harder for movement.
where i live (Barbados) its a must to use a/c
If u live somewhere where its cold and max temp is 20C save the exra $8 of gas
I heard it does
yes it will save gas and engine wear the a/c systems on cars put the engine under a heavier load,and uses more gas.I would only use it when its to hot to stand
I heard that using the A/C and cruise control wastes less gas than driving with your windows down. I live in Texas and like it hot, so I drive with the windows down anyway.
An air conditioner pump has a clutch in it. When the AC is off, the belts to the pump are just driving the pulley, there is very little resistance.
When the AC is turned on, the clutch engages and now has to turn the pump. This puts more load on the engine, which indeed burns more gas. The effect is similar to going up a slight hill.
In reality, even with the AC off the engine expends a little energy turning the pulley. It’s not much, but if you REALLY wanted to get the most out of your gas, you can remove the pulleys to the AC pump. As long as the pulleys don’t drive other accessories (alternator, power steering pump, etc.) it won’t hurt a thing. Unfortunately in most cars equipped with AC, the pulley goes around other accessories as well as the AC pump.
Running the AC does use some extra gas; however running with out the AC with the windows open uses more gas. The drag created by the open windows uses more fuel that rolling up the windows and using the AC!
The 2 main factors for fuel mileage are vehicle weight & aerodynamics. Running with windows open ruins the aerodynamics, costing more fuel than the 3-5hp that modern a/c compressers use. Much of what is said against using a/c is based on the old 15hp units which were in non-aerodynamic cars.