A/C: How High Will You Go?

[mobythevan]

I don't know about you guys, but I get stuck in enough throw away situations that I use AC with no impact to my mileage. There are certain times I have to use engine braking because a light has caught me, so I turn on AC only during the engine braking. Its either use AC to help slow the car or use the brakes. I get caught in maybe 4-5 of these situations on my trip home so I only use the AC at those times. Its enough to cool the car and fit the best with getting the most mpg. I also live in CO so AC isn't needed anyway.

[elhigh]

AC? What's that?

The truck has mounting points for AC, and a space where the button that might activate ought to go, but none of the bits.

And it's freaking hot and sticky in E TN in August.

[FastPlastic]

My AC broke like 4 years ago. Ever since I got the motorcycle, I just can't justify getting it fixed. I ride the bike any time it's warm, nothing better then 360 air.

[chipsndukes]

I'm going to kick this one to the top because I'm bored, and because in deep, south Texas (95F average summer temp) A/C is an important thing.

I will say that I set my personal record using the A/C, but like another poster said, my vehicle is kind of a gas pig, and so the A/C takes less of a bite out of the overall consumption.

I did run with the blower on almost high, though, recirculate and shut off the passenger side duct. I also shut it off when I didn't need it.

I wouldn't say it was pleasant inside the cab, but bearable (and for a sissy like me, that's saying something ).

I guess I believe saving fuel should fit my lifestyle, maybe that is heresy...

Chipsndukes

[Clev]

I put my vent on recirculate and "pulse and glide" my A/C--turn it on until I can't stand it, then turn it off until I can't stand it, with the fan typically continuously on the 3/4 setting. I'd like to get the beaded seat cover--I think it would help the A/C stay off for longer.

[chuckm]

I got the beaded seat cover recently. To be honest, I'm not seeing much difference. But I live in 100º with high humidity. For this tank, I'm trying to live without AC all together to see what kind of mpg I can pull out.

[jcp123]

A/C? Yeah I remember that!

I don't have a/c in either of my vehicles. It was fairly easy in CA - hell, we didn't even have a/c in our house out there - but while I was worried about doing it in "hotter than hell" Texas, it's proven to be essencially a non-issue. I really don't even think about it anymore, and given that I work in a parts store and see how much extra cost is involved in a/c and the woes folks have with it, I'm actually grateful I don't have it. On top of that, my philosophy is that cars should follow the KISS principle, and a/c doesn't fit in. I like cars sans p/s, carpet, radio, etc.

[cfg83]

hyperyaris -

I mostly have it for other passengers. I won't run it for me unless I have a fancy outfit on for a special occasion.

I literally got it fixed a few weeks ago but it's not very cold. If I were the only person in the car 100% of the time, I'd get rid of it.

Right now I am turning it on once a day to test how it's working. I drive downhill about 1/2 mile when I leave home, so I run it while the car is warming up, so that amounts to about 60 seconds per day.

CarloSW2

[oldertech]

I sold my 2007 Chevy Cobalt for a '92 VX and this is my first summer with it. I've learned some amazing things about cars, their use of energy and the quest for best FE. I find it fascinating that turning on the headlights can kick up the idle on this car, or running the interior fan. Not to mention running the A/C.

I live in Kansas where we have hot, humid summers. I drove many summers in cars that had no A/C so it's only in recent years that I've even had the opportunity to use one.

Now, what I've noticed on the VX is that while many considerations are made for fuel economy, that same consideration was not made for AC. When you run the AC on the Honda, like many cars, it just cranks things cold, and if you want it a little bit warmer, you have two choices - cycling the AC switch yourself or adding warm air to blend in with the cold air and get you a steady interior temp. The first method can get monotonous. While the second method might be good for creature comfort, it isn't good for FE. Seems to me that what we need to do for hypermiling is coming up with thermostats or timers that can dial down the cycle time of the AC to just keep the temps cool enough and humidity low enough to be comfortable instead of throwing heat into the mix. Has anyone considered altering the cycle ON time of the AC compressor? Is the Honda VX thermostat adjustable?

Scott

[cfg83]

elhigh -

Originally Posted by elhigh

Highest temperature I ever got in my car was about 130 degrees. Just for the heck of it, turned the heat on high and cranked the fan up. Kept it that way the whole way home. Output from vent was over 160.

It was 90 degrees out, and 90 percent humidity. Stepping out of the truck felt like a cool breeze.

AC? What's that? Oh, right - that little button in the wife's car.

I might try that (on the way home). If I don't pass out, I may get better acclimated to the inland LA summers.

CarloSW2