AirCon - To use or not to use

[GuyD5]

Has anyone else had any experience of the effects of running the T5 with the aircon on all the time? ....

since I bought the car I've run with it on, and bearing in mind my style of driving (which is fairly robust ;)) I have accepted mpg figures round about 23 ...

however, a week last Sunday, at 11pm, I travelled down from Catterick to Halesowen at a 'cruise-control' 75mph on the A1, A1(M), M18, M1, A42, M42, M6 and M5 and recorded a figure of 23.2mpg ....

last Sunday at 9pm I again travelled the same route at the same 'cruise-control' speed but deliberately switched off the aircon for the journey and recorded a figure of 29.9mpg ....

that in itself has been sufficient reason for me to run without aircon this week (unless getting into a very hot car and then only to knock the heat down and I ended up with 395 miles to the tank with a projected 70 miles left) but my question is whether anyone has any verifiable evidence that the performance of the car is so adversely affected ....

is the fact that she seems more sprightly (she is RICAd and so has a fair degree of performance anyway ;)) simply a result of switching off the aircon ...

I read on one of the volvo forums some months ago that 'modern air-condition units affect performance far less than they used to and you can run with them on without any undue effects' ....

seems like 6 miles per gallon less is a massive cost to bear :D I know that I shall be running at the 'Pod without it switched on ;)

[MissDMeanor]

Guy, I don't know about increased fuel consumption but my understanding is that air cons need to be run at least once a week just for the benefit of the system.....

:wink:

[GuyD5]

yep, you're right Ju and that's not a problem ..... most times on getting in the car the aircon goes on either to cool it down or dry it out but instead of leaving it on permanently I've been switching it off when the car's warmed up and running without it .... I wonder if there's any evidence (from RR or track times) to show a loss of performance (BHP) as well as fuel cost, and if so, how much :D

[Justin]

My car runs better without the aircon on, i have never looked at the mpg tho.

Just seems smoother and its always off at the pod :wink:

[GuyD5]

I'm just curious as to how much of a drain on performance it is ... always hard to judge when you keep having to slow down for other road users ;) :D

[Justin]

Lol, i know what ya mean, i would imagine it saps power:mad:

[lance]

I recently had to have my aircon clutch replaced and have to say i was amazed how heavy the clutch is, so heavy you really do notice the difference in acceleration and economy. Cruising at 90 aircon off i would get around 28-29 mpg with aircon on around 24.5 mpg, I reakon we must be losing 10-15%+ power with it on it certainly feels like it. So I just use mine regularly/spareingly and only when needed.
:thewave:

[Wobbly Dave]

I had mine regassed this last week (for only £40 - which is not bad). The engineer said you should use it otherwise the "O" rings dry out and that leads to leaks - which eventually means the compressor has to work harder and if bad enough will make it die. I take the point about consumption. I use mine sparingly. BTW he measured the vent temp and it was pushing 2.6 degrees (brrr!) which is colder than my fridge.

[GuyD5]

I just use mine regularly/spareingly and only when needed.

I think that's the way to go Lance ..... regularly to keep it working properly and sparingly to reduce it's adverse effects :D

Not surprised that it's that cold Dave, point the centre vents at your body and put it on full-cold and in 5 minutes you're freezing :eek:

[GuyD5]

Hey .... and with that post I'm a Member :D :thewave: :hidesbehi

[MissDMeanor]

I just love the emoticons!!!!

I try n festoon my replies with too many and get told off :cry:



:wizardtro

:wink:

[GuyD5]

I'm sure, at one point, the form came up with a message saying that I had used too many .... dunno where that went :D :bounce: :funkybana :band:

[lance]

: :band: :wtf: :beer: :stupid: cant do em all either

[MissDMeanor]

Lmao!!!! :rainfro:


:bow_kneel



We are all mature adults really :eek: :)

[Mrsmopp]

Who told you that? LOL :hidesbehi

x

[Wobbly Dave]

:gossip:

:viking:

:dunce:

What me? Immature - never?!

:tank:

Go ahead punk make my day!

[Justin]

Lol, the smilies are awesome.

Dave (I got what i needed to do, done in the end, sorry mate)

[Wobbly Dave]

Say no more. More random visits (just to test out the air con) will be in the pipe line next week.