Air conditioning consumes more fuel in cars. This means that many drivers avoid using it until it is absolutely necessary. In fact, various studies indicate that almost half of drivers (49%) do not turn on the air conditioning until the temperature reaches 28 degrees. Wrong.
It shouldn’t be like this. When temperatures in the passenger compartment exceed 22 degrees, drivers become sleepy more easily. At 27 degrees, the driver’s reaction speed is up to 22% slower than when driving at 22 degrees. In addition, air conditioning systems (provided that the air filters are clean) help reduce pollen and other allergens by up to 88%.
If you are still worried about fuel consumption, take a look at our tips for saving fuel by using the air conditioning. These are simple tricks that require little effort on your part and will help you keep the cabin cool so as not to strain the system. In addition, having the system in good condition helps it to work better. Follow these guidelines:
Ideal temperature
Experts recommend that the ideal temperature for the passenger compartment should be between 22 and 24 degrees. On the one hand, to avoid taking the air conditioning system to extremes. And on the other, to avoid summer colds due to the great contrast between the interior of the car and the temperature you find when you get out of it.
Orientation of the aerators
If you want to be efficient when cooling the cabin, you should direct the interior vents upwards. Why? Pure physics. Cold air is heavier than warm air, as you will have seen in static balloons. In this way, it will go down through the cabin while causing the air to move. On the other hand, it is better to direct the side vents towards the windows. In this way, a barrier is created with the heat that causes its direct contact with the sun’s rays.
Yes, we all do it in our faces from time to time, especially in the heat of the day. We shouldn’t. By doing so, we may be sending viruses and bacteria directly into our nasal passages.
Clean filters
A dirty filter causes a reduction in the amount of air delivered. And be careful, so do poorly positioned filters. This is why you need to pay special attention during installation, as well as when the air conditioning is causing problems, as it is quite easy to fix… unless it is difficult to access.
In addition to respecting the intervals recommended by the manufacturer when replacing both the cabin filter and other filters in the car, it is advisable to clean thoroughly, with a vacuum cleaner if possible, all dirt and dust from the area where they are placed.
Air conditioning charge level
Is your car not cooling as well as it used to? It’s not because of climate change, but it may be because it needs an air conditioning gas charge. If you notice that it takes a long time to cool down your vehicle, it’s best to go to a professional.
In addition to recharging the circuit with gas (normally R-134-A, HFC type, a refrigerant gas that does not damage the ozone layer, but check this in your car manual), it will check that the circuit has no leaks.
Electronic failures
Ultimately, like so many other systems in a modern vehicle, the HVAC system is electrical. There may be a bad connection of some wires (a friend accidentally knocked his own when installing a stereo, not unreasonable) or a fuse may fail. Or the temperature sensor may be damaged and not give a correct reading.
There are many variables, as with any electrical fault in a car. These are typical problems that are difficult to find… so the best and quickest way is to connect the diagnostic machine to locate them more effectively.
Air recirculation
If you are going to spend a lot of time driving, such as on a long car trip, it is better to use the already cooled air inside the car to recirculate it. This way we will put less strain on the system, especially the compressor.
On the contrary, when the interior of the car is very hot, it is much more effective to introduce air from outside to lower the temperature more quickly. By the way… do you remember this trick to quickly lower the temperature of the car?
Clean radiator
The radiator is a vital part of the vehicle’s cooling system, responsible for preventing overheating in the mechanics so that it continues to operate at maximum performance even when the outside temperature is very high.
It is located in the front of the vehicle, behind the grill, to exchange heat with the environment. The cleaner it is, the better it will perform its function. The area where it is located makes it easy for it to get dirty… since it is easy for small objects (plastics, leaves…) to get in and prevent the air from flowing as it should.
Turn it off on time
Turn off the air conditioning before stopping the engine and you will avoid putting any strain on the compressor. Don’t obsess over this either. Vehicle air conditioning systems are quite robust and tested in design, they are designed to last for many years. What certainly helps is that you carry out the car’s maintenance correctly, which will prevent, for example, the auxiliary element belt from being in poor condition or loose. This would cause the compressor to lose power significantly.
And… plug it in in winter
In addition to the cooling gas, there is also oil in the circuit, which is used to lubricate the compressor, the circuit itself and its seals. By turning on the air conditioning in winter you help move the oil through the pipes and prevent the seals from drying out. You will have seen that air conditioning is an invaluable aid when it comes to defogging the windows, as it removes humidity from the environment much more quickly than simply using conventional ventilation.
