Fuel Economy while aircon is used?

[Ellaiss]

Hi all. Can anyone please tell me what the avg fuel rate is with the aircon running? My 06 VZ auto chews around 35-40kms of fuel just driving 21.6kms according to the distance to empty option in the car. Any help would be great. Cheers.

 

[OldAndyMac]

There was a Mythbusters episode once that looked into fuel economy with the aircon on v's windows open. Long story short - for the best economy drive with the aircon off and windows down at slow speeds. At faster speeds 60kph+ is is more economical to have the windows up and aircon on.

 

[commodore665]

With a car like a Commodore it's not going to make much difference , as the engine is not exactly going to be over taxed with the air conditioning running

 

[blackwarlock]

Shouldnt see a significant difference unless fan is on full. Usually put on 2 to cool the car then 1 to makntain temp wont effect fuel use. The V6's will see a loss in power though. Doesnt pull as hard especially up hills. So motor will rev harder then and you may see fuel ec worsen from that

Also if you have climate control it will exhasaberate the issue if u leave in on auto setting. Theyre renown for leaving the fans on high and theyre always running.

Again though shouldnt be hugely noticable in fuel ec. Keep in mind a 15km difference in fuel use equates to ~$2

 

[Big-Al]

Not that it helps you much but in the VY SS I notice about 0.4L / 100KM increase if I am using the aircon.

 

[Surfwagon]

Not that it helps you much but in the VY SS I notice about 0.4L / 100KM increase if I am using the aircon.

Similar with mine.

 

[MYVESSV8]

cool and comfortable all the time, makes about 0.5 lt/100klm as against no aircon

 

[Kcboiye]

i gave mine a test when sitting at the lights one day
ac off: 1.3L
ac on: 1.8L

so was only about a 0.5lt jump

 

[PHaSR]

0.5 increase on normal day, up to 1.0L increase on a hot day.

It only affects me when I'm low on fuel and the warning indicator has gone off a few times and then reads 0km left on the trip meter. then its like "####, turn everything off till I get to a fuel station! lol

 

[andyman]

will notice it a fair bit at idle using the instant fuel use,

while driving wont nealy make any difference in fact, if your clever, everytime you coast down hill, or engine braking, with your foot off the trottle, turn the air con on and enjoy free cold air...... results will best come from a manual gearbox though