Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloud
Here's an article debunking gas myths, like the one that says running your air conditioner will use up fuel
|
Running an air conditioner will use up fuel. Maybe not a lot, but don't misread the article. It's simple physics. If you ask the engine to do more work, it will take more fuel to do that work.
If I'm sitting at a red light in neutral, and I turn on the air conditioner, I can hear the engine increase its idle speed as the AC compressor turns on. The article talks about a test done at highway speed comparing having the windows open to having the A/C on. They did not compare all the other various driving situations. The amount may be negligible, but it absolutely uses more gas to run the A/C.
The tips about driving habits and tire pressure are good ones though.