Does Car AC Use Gas?

With gasoline prices going up in New Orleans and all around the country, many drivers are trying to figure out ways to use less gas. What about your car’s air conditioning? Does car AC use gas? If you don’t use it, will you save on fuel? While your car’s air conditioning does use gas, there are times when it is actually more fuel-efficient to turn it on rather than to open the windows. Our service center wants to help you get the most fuel efficiency out of your vehicle, so let’s take a closer look at how this works.

How Does Car AC Use Gas?

How does car AC use gas? The answer is simple: the air conditioning system is powered by the engine, which, of course, runs on gasoline. The more the engine has to do, the harder it has to work, and the more gasoline it uses. If you want a more technical explanation, here it is:

• Compressor — compresses the refrigerant into a fluid, so the refrigerant flows through a line to the condenser.
• Condenser — removes the heat from the refrigerant and pushes it along to the expansion valve or orifice tube.
• Expansion valve or orifice tube — returns the refrigerant to its original gaseous state and moves it to the receiver/drier or accumulator.
• Receiver/drier or accumulator — removes moisture from the refrigerant and transfers it to the evaporator.
• Evaporator — pulls heat from the air passing through its core and transfers it into the refrigerant, resulting in cold air flowing beyond the evaporator.

Does Car AC Use Gas So Much That You Should Never Use It?

Does that mean that you should just leave your air conditioning off and never use it? Actually, that could end up with your car using more gas. According to the EPA, most vehicles use less gas at highway speeds when the air conditioning is turned on than if the windows were rolled down. This is because open windows result in air drag, which causes the engine to work even harder than the air conditioner would. However, at lower speeds like you might encounter in stop-and-go traffic while driving through Metairie, you might try turning the AC off and taking note of whether this makes a difference in your car’s gas mileage.

We’re Here to Help at Leson Chevrolet Company, Inc. of Harvey

If you enjoyed this post about how air conditioning uses gas, you might enjoy our other service and parts tips. And, if you need help with any issues your car may be having, feel free to schedule an appointment with our service center. We’re conveniently located near Belle Chasse, so drop by or contact us today.