Minimizing A/C use

[SwamiSalami]

Originally Posted by camopaint0707

So is it more fuel efficient to turn on the AC full blast to cool the car then turn it off and then back on when it's hot again or to just leave it one a lower setting to keep the car at a constant cool?

Just to be clear, I NEVER use my A/C's highest setting. What I meant by toggling on and off, while maintaining air circulation, is that I press the A/C button. This is the button with the "snowflake" on it. In other words, I'm likely to leave the setting on "2" throughout my drive. Also, I'm likely to use the "recirculate" setting throughout as well. This is technically not using the air conditioner, unless you've pushed the respective button.

The concept is basically the same as any other method of conservation. By limiting your use of the air conditioner, you are actively conserving fuel.

I hope this helps you understand what I'm talking about. I'm certainly more confused now.

[Joenavy85]

My rule of thumb is to use it as needed to remain comfortable. Hotter temps can cause physiological stress that can effect your driving and your perception as well as your reaction times. I'm much more alert when I'm cool, and get drowsy when it's warmer in the car. I'll take the penalty to remain comfortable and safe.

[SwamiSalami]

Originally Posted by Joenavy85

My rule of thumb is to use it as needed to remain comfortable. Hotter temps can cause physiological stress that can effect your driving and your perception as well as your reaction times. I'm much more alert when I'm cool, and get drowsy when it's warmer in the car. I'll take the penalty to remain comfortable and safe.

Couldn't agree with you more. It's becoming increasingly important to me to remain cool while driving in the hotter summer months.

My original point was that in the Chevrolet Malibu, I was able to remain cool without even using the A/C for 9/10s of the time.

Remaining cool while not running the A/C in most cars seems impossible. Desirable, but impossible. The malibu's cooling system combined the best aspects of these worlds. I'm able to cool the cabin to a comfortable level, shut the a/c down and still feel cool for the remainder of my trip.

This is what I'm saying: I'M IN AWE. THIS IS A HYPERMILER/ECOMODDER'S WET DREAM, so to speak.

[Joenavy85]

on my upcoming roadtrip I'll be letting my girlfriend control the AC (YRMV, depending on your significant other) becuase her comfort range in the car is smaller than mine. she complains of it being to cold before I do, as well as complains of the heat before me. Ultimately it will average out fairly well, it won't get as cold, but also won't get as warm before she adjusts it.

[California98Civic]

Easy and cheap mods would be covering the dash with something insulating and reflective. A couple hundred would buy you good, metalized, heat-rejecting tint. It might be fairly easy to insulate your ducting into the cabin (be careful of the airbags!). More pricey would be to repaint part or all of the car with at least a brighter paint but perhaps even some of that new ($$$) heat rejecting paint (not available in a good black yet). Sheepskin seat covers are serving me pretty well too.

[SwamiSalami]

Great call on the dash covers. I've been wanting to get one for both of my cars for some time. My beetle's dash is gigantic and, of course, black.

[cfg83]

dieselbeetle -

Originally Posted by dieselbeetle

Great call on the dash covers. I've been wanting to get one for both of my cars for some time. My beetle's dash is gigantic and, of course, black.

Yeah, I have a black dash cover for my dark brown dash. I don't think you want a reflective dash cover. You still need a dark color, otherwise the color of the dash will reflect onto the window. At least that's what happens to me.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

Joenavy85 -

Originally Posted by Joenavy85

on my upcoming roadtrip I'll be letting my girlfriend control the AC (YRMV, depending on your significant other) becuase her comfort range in the car is smaller than mine. she complains of it being to cold before I do, as well as complains of the heat before me. Ultimately it will average out fairly well, it won't get as cold, but also won't get as warm before she adjusts it.

Same with my wife. I have heard that the majority of women have a narrow temperature tolerance as compared to men. The following doesn't confirm what I am saying other than men and women's perception of comfort temperature is *different* :

Thermal comfort - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gender differences
While thermal comfort preferences between genders seems to be small, there are some differences. Studies have found men report discomfort due to rises in temperature much earlier than women. Men also estimate higher levels of their sensation of discomfort than women. One recent study tested men and women in the same cotton clothing, performing mental jobs while using a dial vote to report their thermal comfort to the changing temperature. Many times, females will prefer higher temperatures. But while females were more sensitive to temperatures, males tend to be more sensitive to relative humidity levels.

CarloSW2

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Same with my wife. I have heard that the majority of women have a narrow temperature tolerance as compared to men.

CarloSW2

...amen--beware the woman in menopause!

[crossout]

i use my a/c no matter what it cost me and don't care i still avg 26-29 mpg in the city with them on and i have heart problems since birth and can't withstand heat...and yeah age of 31 kinda sucks huh i gotta live long in comfortable life!