How to use your A/C more efficiently

[Mustang Dave]

Originally Posted by rbrowning

I just cycle between A/C and vent and try to spend as long as possible in the vent setting to reduce the engine load.

My Mustang has a switch to enable/disable the A/C compressor. I use it to "P&G" my A/C.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by Mustang Dave

My Mustang has a switch to enable/disable the A/C compressor. I use it to "P&G" my A/C.

In my VX the AC compressor can be engaged or disengaged regardless of the other control positions.

Always use Max and or Recirculate (but always recirculate). This is more efficient because you do not have to remove the humidity continuously in recirculate.

Always cycle the compressor on when you have to engage DFCO, since you are bleeding energy anyway you might as well get "free" AC.

Low fan speeds and compressor manual cycling will keep you fairly cool while minimising compressor actuation.

As Mustang Dave stated, P&G the compressor, on recirculate, with the lowest tolerable fan speed, and you can stay cool with minimum loss of mileage.

I avoid AC use under all but the most extreme circumstances. Actually I try to avoid any accessory loads completely, because they all use fuel to a certain degree.

Some systems cycle the compressor to maintain temp and will cycle less at low fan speeds. Most climate control systems run the compressor constantly and mix hot and cold air to maintain temp. The second type is most wasteful.

regards
Mech

[winkosmosis]

I don't use recirc, because I want fresh air. That means if there is any chance for exhaust fumes from other vehicles or my own tailpipe to get into the cabin, I still have a constant flow of fresh air and positive pressure.

[moonmonkey]

i always smell fumes worse when in fresh air mode dont know why.

[SentraSE-R]

I'm surprised you ecomodders haven't discovered this air conditioner controller that shuts down A/C when you're accelerating under load.You can custom-tune this device to max the A/C during glides, and cut it off during pulses, or when hill-climbing.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by Mustang Dave

My Mustang has a switch to enable/disable the A/C compressor. I use it to "P&G" my A/C.

I've been doing this for years, because it's so easy to simply press the A/C button to cycle it on or off. If I'm approaching a red light I leave the A/C on, because the car will be slowing, anyway. As soon as the light turns green I kill the A/C until I get back up to cruising speed, at which point I put it back on.

[99LeCouch]

Where I've lived the A/C has been necessary at all times of the year due to excess humidity. It gets pulsed on as needed, and recirculated whenever possible. Sadly the "defrost" setting kicks on both the heater and the A/C. It gets the windshield clean in no time, though...

[moonmonkey]

what about a resister inline with the fan motor, just pull an old fanspeed unit out of a junkyard and set it to high or med, it should have the result of slowing your fan down to very low (almost off) and this would turn your compresser on and off less often'and blow less air on you for those times when you would normally turn the temp knob .

[FastNLoose]

I unplugged my compressor for the winter so it doesn't run when the defrost is turned on. I really don't see a fuel economy drop people see in the Winter. I'm actully getting better mileage by a small amount and my only change other than the unplug is a grill block.

[moonmonkey]

good idea fastnloose,,,, i would plug it back in every once in a while to keep all the orings/gaskets/fittings all lubed up ,.