A/C: How High Will You Go?

[joey]

I used to use both AC and the heat in my car; I think the combination of heater use, city driving, non-hypermiling, and winter weather was why my first tank was approximately 14.3 mpg. I took a vow in late May never to use the AC again in my car, and so far, so good. In my apartment, I bought a box fan, and plan to use that instead of AC throughout the summer. It's all part of a bigger plan to try to avoid spending money on things I can live without. So far in my apt, the temp has gotten up to 83, but I've been fine with my fan. A few weeks ago, I got my lowest ever gas bill (heating and AC is gas) of $27. I hope to drop below $20 by the time the next bill comes in!

[hyperyaris]

Whew I made it today on a 67 mile trip with no A/C, but it was miserable haha. But I averaged 47 mpg.

[bgd73]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I took the a/c out of my car last year,

someone took the a/c out of mine sometime in the 80s..it has had alaska and maine and weherever else to get here.
I do have a modern pump and wires still there ready to get it going with condensor, and heater box addon...I may have to if to take the trip I want (I was pondering a cross country trip after the car turned 25- action of an 87 subaru ought to say what I want to say just by being, if you know what I mean). How bout those predictions this summer about barrels of fuel? Not to hijack a thread..

if you got a/c and it is oem, it shouldn't be much of a bother for your engine FE. playing around with it could be detrimental, unless going "smaller" setup.

[theunchosen]

The AC is actually a huge draw.

An AC consumes about as much power as a turbo(they are pretty much the same device just one is geared at very low PSI output and high flow and the other is low flow high PSI), but without any of the benefits of a turbo.

The difference between AC on/off/disconnected is usually 0mpg/+3-4mpg/+4-5 mpg. If you entirely remove the AC in your car alot of times the AC cooling fins are blocking air flow into the engine bay and creating heat for the radiator to have to work harder.

I yanked mine and my temps never even get to 200 anymore even sitting still in traffic on a scorcher. Mine was the exact same size as my radiator though. . . and taking the fins compressor and lines out made everything much easier to work on the engine. The AC fins were in front of the engine so I've got a good foot of space between it and the front bumper.

On a side note. . .I'm looking at building an absorption refrigerator. . .if I ever get time ^_^

[basslover911]

"I'm looking at building an absorption refrigerator"

a What?!?

[wagonman76]

I never got a difference in mpg when using AC. But my car is not that efficient either.

My Celeb is the only car I have where the AC even works. There is usually only about 1 week out of the year when I want AC. Probably won't use it at all this year. Compared to what we have gotten so far this year, it is a heat wave right now at 55F. I have a little AC unit for my house, but I haven't used it in about 3 years. Global warming = Michigan keeps getting colder.

But I have visited South Carolina in an 85 Topaz with no AC in June once, and it was horrible. I have visited Washington DC in May once and I didn't really need AC but used it anyway, and still got 32 mpg freeway just like here.

On a side note. . .I'm looking at building an absorption refrigerator. . .if I ever get time ^_^

Why not just yank one from a junked travel trailer?

[theunchosen]

Wagonperson,

Do trailers use them?

It would be handy if they did, and I could squeeze one somewhere. . .

Unfortunately transfer trucks refrigeration unit would be much to large and powerful to use on something like a car.

It seems my laundry list of projects gets longer and I only get to spend no time finishing them. . .-_-

[Ford Man]

It depends on which car I'm driving as to when the A/C comes on. I've drove my '88 Escort Pony on 105-110* days after working outside all day without A/C on. I guess that the car not having A/C probably had a lot to do with that. If I'm in a car that has A/C and the temperature gets to about 85* with high humidity the A/C will be running.

I just changed the A/C compressor on my '88 Escort GL that I bought about a month ago, because it was bad when I bought the car. Of course it was an R-12 system, but I changed it over to R-134A. Apparently someone had the system evacuated before I got the car, because their was no freon in it when I got the car. The system is supposed to hold 41 oz., I put 3 cans in 36 oz. and it's cooling it good.

[whokilledthejams]

I try to just open the windows in town, but on the highway, I'll put AC on recirculate-- I'll leave the fan on, pulse the AC on and off-- on enough to be comfortable cool ( a minute or two) then off until I start to sweat (usually about 5). It works out well, and has a limited MPG hit, even if it is tedious.

[hyperyaris]

I just cannot bear it at temps close to 100F with 100% humidity for too long...I actually start getting dizzy and woozy lol