Does air conditioning in the car use gas? Yes, just like most systems in your gas-powered vehicle, the air conditioning system requires gas to operate. The alternator, which gets its energy to run, powers the AC, so indirectly the AC is powered by the gasoline. You need fuel for the engine to operate, if that’s the main source of energy for your car. Does AC burn car gas fast? Well, just because the AC requires gas to function, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s inefficient. In fact, there are some cases where it’s better to use gas than to not. Keep reading to learn about how your air conditioning system operates!
How Does the Air Conditioning System Work?
Regardless of manufacturer, air conditioning systems pretty much work the same across the board. The AC runs on refrigerant, which is a high-pressure gas, and uses the following components during operation:
- Compressor — compresses the refrigerant into a fluid, allowing flow down a line to the condenser.
- Condenser — eliminates the heat from the refrigerant and moves it to the expansion valve or orifice tube.
- Expansion valve or orifice tube — changes the refrigerant back to its gaseous state, then transfers the gas to the receiver/drier or accumulator.
- Receiver/drier or accumulator —removes moisture from the refrigerant and sends it to the evaporator.
- Evaporator — takes the heat out of the air passing through its core, then sends it into the refrigerant, which results in cold air flowing beyond the evaporator.
Does Car AC Burn Gas Inefficiently?
If you’re driving at highway speeds, utilizing your air conditioning system could be more efficient and burn less gas than having your windows down. Why is that? Well, open windows at high-speeds increase your drag coefficient, causing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. So, if you have the A/C pumping on the highway, you’re actually reducing aerodynamic drag.
How to Improve Fuel Efficiency
So, now that we’ve answered the question, “Does air conditioning in the car use gas,” you may be curious what you can do to improve your fuel efficiency on your Santa Clara and Milpitas commutes. Check out some of the small ways you can boost your fuel economy:
- Use sun reflectors if you’re parked in the sun
- Buy the recommended oil for your car
- Reduce your speed and drive in a higher gear
- Brake gradually
- Keep the tires properly inflated and aligned
- Avoid idling for over 30 seconds
- Don’t overload your car
Explore More Service & Parts Tips from Capitol Acura!
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