Turning Off the car aircon, does it help in saving on fuel?

**mbeige** · January 3rd, 2009 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by niky

For older cars and cars with smaller engines, the drag of the AC compressor is greater... leading to higher fuel consumption with the AC on (heck, with Nissan Sentras with the Calsonic compressor, it could rob a ton of horsepower). For bigger-engined vehicles, it seems like less of a problem... but setting the AC to the lowest comfortable setting (highest temperature at lowest fan speed that still feels cool from all seats) is always a good idea...

Highest temperature? Or you mean cooler setting with low fan speed?

You have a point either way, but for optimum fuel economy, the higher the temperature setting, the less work the compressor has to do. The colder the desired setting, the more work the compressor has to do. More work leads to more fuel consumed.

**oj88** · January 25th, 2009 02:52 PM

More often when I'm leaving the house very early in the morning (ie. 6AM or whereabouts), I leave the A/C off for about halfway to my destination or until I start to feel a little discomfort. I try to save up some gas, at least during this leg of my daily commute. It all adds up eventually.

At idle, my car uses about 40-50% more fuel while the compressor is engaged. Though a bit OT, even leaving the shifter on Drive, Reverse, or any gear other than Park or Neutral (A/T only), will use about 20-30% more fuel when idle. I tested this on my 2007 Civic FD 1.8S A/T.

I have a video about the test which I made. Unfortunately, I can only show the link when my post count reaches 10 or above. I'll update this thread then.

**oj88** · January 25th, 2009 04:57 PM

UPDATE from my previous post, the link to the video I was talking about: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KPF4NPrz2Q"]YouTube - 8th Gen Civic FD (R18 - A/T) idle fuel consumption[/ame]

**niky** · January 25th, 2009 05:51 PM

Nice toy... how much does the ScanGauge cost nowadays?

**oj88** · January 25th, 2009 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by niky

Nice toy... how much does the ScanGauge cost nowadays?

Thanks. Landed price is about Php 8-9K. It should be about 2K cheaper if not for the additional shipping and taxes.

**coiter** · January 25th, 2009 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by niky

For bigger-engined vehicles, it seems like less of a problem...

yup pansin ko to. sa 1.1L at 1.6L gas cars, may difference talaga sa mileage (mga 1-2 kpl normal driving). pero sa 2.7L na diesel, parang wala. same ang mileage kahit on or off.

**niky** · January 25th, 2009 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by oj88

Thanks. Landed price is about Php 8-9K. It should be about 2K cheaper if not for the additional shipping and taxes.

Ah... pero it's OBDII only, right? My car is OBDI...

Here's a tip... next time you buy overseas, check the price on express door-to-door delivery. Next day delivery is very expensive, but there is "regular" door-to-door... sometimes it's cheaper to ship this way (no taxes if it doesn't go through regular mail)

...and sometimes it's just the same... but the package gets there earlier.

**ghosthunter** · January 26th, 2009 12:42 AM

hmmm, Niky is looking for a new toy for his car... too bad it won't work on his Ford RS.

OBD II compliant na ata yung SR20... hehehe

**oj88** · January 26th, 2009 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by niky

Ah... pero it's OBDII only, right? My car is OBDI...

Here's a tip... next time you buy overseas, check the price on express door-to-door delivery. Next day delivery is very expensive, but there is "regular" door-to-door... sometimes it's cheaper to ship this way (no taxes if it doesn't go through regular mail)

...and sometimes it's just the same... but the package gets there earlier.

Yeah, only works with OBDII. Sorry.

Thanks for the tip. Will definitely keep that in mind. Though the thing is, most stores/sellers doesn't give you much choice when shipping abroad.

Pardon for going OT.

**afrasay** · January 29th, 2009 04:58 AM

a little OT:
easy lang sa mga nag off ng aircon at nagbababa ng windows pag gabi na. an officemate of mine got robbed by two motorcycle riding baddits, one cut and stop infront of his Revo while the other brush up on his side and poke a gun on him. it happened along Q. ave eastbound infront of sto. domingo church.