Avoiding the A/C

[Kal-El]

I simply cannot understand not using the AC and being uncomfortable to save a minuscule amount of money on gas, ESPECIALLY with current prices at about $1.60 a gallon.

I drive about 350 miles a week and with current prices, it costs me only about $15 a week fueling the Yaris. Turning the AC off (although not using it right now in December of course), would save maybe $.50 a week. Um, what's the point especially when discomfort is the main result? Do we really need that extra piece of gum?

[voodoo22]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I simply cannot understand not using the AC and being uncomfortable to save a minuscule amount of money on gas, ESPECIALLY with current prices at about $1.60 a gallon.

I drive about 350 miles a week and with current prices, it costs me only about $15 a week fueling the Yaris. Turning the AC off (although not using it right now in December of course), would save maybe $.50 a week. Um, what's the point especially when discomfort is the main result? Do we really need that extra piece of gum?

You also have a fairly efficient car, so your savings for not using the A/C wouldn't be as large as if you were driving a truck or something, but using the A/C does cost you about 10% of your FE.

I'm sure I waste in areas which others can't understand, but whenever I learn how to lessen my areas of waste, I will try my best to put those more efficient methods into practice. For me, not using the A/C in the summer means a 15% improvement in FE and one extra day between visits to the pump.

It's also my experience that if you willingly waste a little in one area you find it easier to waste on other little things and that over time can really add up.

[b_hickman11]

It depends on where you live. In Texas, you must use the AC in the summer. Hell today its already 74 outside and its only 9:45 in the morning. So I'll be using the AC when I go to the Wal-Marts today!

[sceh]

You could also only drive when it doesn't rain so you don't need wipers or, better, live up a hill so don't need to use the battery to start or for the first few hundred yards. And never drive at night in case you need to use the headlights (btw, I knew someone who did this - seriously)
Better still - sell your car and walk!

[91mustang]

I don't know how y'all people get 45 mpg. I get around 34mpg with my 5 speed. I'm thinking y'all drive very slow??

[WeeYari]

I don't know why the @$&# this thread got woken up after 9 years.

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[dogsridewith]

so what changed about hypermiling or sceh's 2004 Yaris in those 9 years?

[Bart68]

Originally Posted by floydisrock

I love a/c.
Couldn't care what it costs me to be comfortable.

I have to agree, the few pennies it costs to run A/C is way better than cooking to death or having to smell stinky cars around you in traffic. I won't even look at a car for purchase unless it has A/C.

[07liftback]

Why not just turn on AC as you're going down steep hills while in gear? You're gonna need to keep tapping the brakes anyways to slow down, minus well use the drag created by the AC to slow you down.

[carstudiopk]

Originally Posted by 07liftback

Why not just turn on AC as you're going down steep hills while in gear? You're gonna need to keep tapping the brakes anyways to slow down, minus well use the drag created by the AC to slow you down.

Engine braking itself is enough.

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[mirapatec]

I actually see very little difference in fuel consumption while using the AC. Really, spending a few US pennies to be comfortable, especially if you are in a hot climate, is not that big of an issue. Turn the AC on and pamper yourself. You deserve it for purchasing a Yaris in the first place.

[dindoul]

Using the A/C use 1 litre more per 100 kilometers.
Open the windows when driving under 80kph

[Neinris]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I simply cannot understand not using the AC and being uncomfortable to save a minuscule amount of money on gas, ESPECIALLY with current prices at about $1.60 a gallon.

I drive about 350 miles a week and with current prices, it costs me only about $15 a week fueling the Yaris. Turning the AC off (although not using it right now in December of course), would save maybe $.50 a week. Um, what's the point especially when discomfort is the main result? Do we really need that extra piece of gum?

I wished that gas still only cost $1.60 a gallon like back in 2008!!!

[sh0rtlife]

even at over 5$ a gal im happy i retrofitted the AC option and it gets used price gouged fuel be damnd

[Flubby]

You will probably burn more fuel fluttering your throttle to try and stay right there than you will save by doing this. That truck driver is also gonna hate on you and you are reducing your own effective visibility at the same time.

[ltwargssf]

I have a scan gauge and idling/slow speeds with the ac on you will get a noticeable mpg drop. Once you are going and cruising its not much at all.

[sh0rtlife]

Originally Posted by ltwargssf

I have a scan gauge and idling/slow speeds with the ac on you will get a noticeable mpg drop. Once you are going and cruising its not much at all.

i can verify that with "real world" use....been delivering a a IC for a big box co, and can tell you without a doubt that idling with the AC on will KILL your mpg, but wide open HWY running it may ding you 1 point at best....dead of summer full AC running i found it wasnt the travel hurting it was the idling IE stop grab package sprint for door sprint back to car GO GO GO, but when your talking about 40-50 stops of sitting idling for 30sec to a min per it adds up fast

someones going to spout shut off the car, yeah our AC systems suck to get "up to speed" but work really well once they are ahead of the heat curve/humidity..and the amount of time to re-cool and remove the humidity we had this summer..your at your next stop swetting bullets and the car has just started to cool again and your shutting it down..by the 3rd stop youve got enough engine heat soak into the cooler that you leave it running for the next 3 stops to "catch up" or you suffer the heat and shut it down entirely as its pumping more humidity into the car trying to play catchup

all said if im delivering with the AC running full and idling at stops i noted a drop from my 27 to 25, while my wife who isnt as fast noted a drop down to around 27..Ie she would spend more time idleing than i would