Effect of A/C on FE
#1
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I've been trying to determine how much of a hit you get with A/C. Part of my problem is my impatience. When I see the FE dropping, I tend to turn the A/C off. I always use ECO to minimize the hit and I only use it on the highway. Most of the time I don't even think about using it because it doesn't get that hot here. However, today, the temperature was really up there, 90F so I turned the A/C on. I quickly so a decrease in the tank average. It dropped 1 mpg and was still decreasing when I turned it off and opened the windows. By that time, the temperature had decreased to 86F outside.
My best guess is it drops mileage by 2 mpg.
I'm wondering what others have measured.
In case you're wondering, I like it hot and 85F doesn't bother me. Warmer than that and I plan to use A/C.
My best guess is it drops mileage by 2 mpg.
I'm wondering what others have measured.
In case you're wondering, I like it hot and 85F doesn't bother me. Warmer than that and I plan to use A/C.
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#3
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I see a 2 to 3 mpg hit with the A/C running in ECO mode. Check out this thread: ECO A/C Mode impact on MPG
#5
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I thought that the A/C was electric, not powered by the ICE. If it is electric, why is there a drop in FE? I can understand if on short trips, if the SOC drops to purple, the ICE will run to charge the battery, but on the interstate, the ICE runs in conjunction with the battery powering the wheels while regen brakeing should charge the battery. So why a drop in FE?
Last edited by nyceshirtz; 08-15-2007 at 08:53 AM.
#7
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I thought that the A/C was electric, not powered by the ICE. If it is electric, why is there a drop in FE? I can understand if on short trips, if the SOC drops to purple, the ICE will run to charge the battery, but on the interstate, the ICE runs in conjunction with the battery powering the wheels while regen brakeing should charge the battery. So why a drop in FE?
#8
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Idrove from central Illinois to central Mississippi. A total trip of 522 miles at 75 mph with the a/c on. 100+ outside temp. I averaged 42.6 mpg (measured) for the trip......if the a/c makes a hit, it is so minimal I don't care about it.......does that make me unworthy of being a hybrid owner?
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#10
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Likewise, which goes back to my earlier point that opening the windows is worse than using the A/C.