Hello!

Quick question.

Do you guys turn off the A/C when heat is on?

If you do, does it conserve on gas?

Thanks!

 

Turning the AC off will cause your windows to fog. Leaving the climate control on, and letting the AC cycle the way it was designed will allow the cabin to maintain the proper moister level.

 

You are right. The windows do fog up from time to time. But do you save in gas if you choose to shut off the A/C?

Thanks!

 

or does the engine work less with the A/C off?

Thanks!

 

I let the AC system do its thing.

 

I keep mine on auto when it's cold but I don't think it uses AC when heat is on - I don't feel engine work harder then it's off and MPG is about the same. But it's definitely keeps windows fog-free :-)

 

I concur. You may see a slight (1mpg) gain by disabling the AC... IMO it's really not worth it.

 

I usually leave my AC compressor off unless it is really hot or the windows fog up.

The problem with that is that the AC becomes stinky when you turn it back on. With the rain and foginess here in SoCal, I am leaving the AC compressor on -- and hoping the smell subsides (and keeping my windows fog free).

I may just leave it on all the time for a spell.

Rob144

 

In all my cars never kept a/c in auto mode or ON. If it is hot a/c on, if not hot then off. The same with Legend. But working a/c does not affect mpg badly, just a bit.

 

Pretty much always on auto. Partly because the computer usually does a better job than I do, partly because the AC interface is a lot of button clicking unless you use voice, in which case it is auto anyway. I suppose there is a mileage hit. In the spring and the fall, and some summer days, the sunroof open is about the only time the climate control is off.

On some cooler days, bright sun, I have been known to keep the heat on and open the sunroof.

That is why I love this car, it keeps you well pampered.

 

the problem with the RL, even when it's nice outside...I use the A/C just to keep the noise down!

I've been spoiled.

 

Except when you want to hear that Takeda

 

actually, I can hear the Takeda anyway...the ony time I lower my windows now is when I want to hear other cars

 

No, Honda have actually designed the only car in the world to defy the laws of Physics so the that the A/C compressor uses zero energy.

OK - I'm kidding but I had to assume that your question wasn't serious.

 

I usually keep mine on auto, but I've been experimenting recently with a/c on or off and auto or manual because this is my first winter of ownership and the side windows fog up a lot. Still not found the answer. Any advice out there? The only thing that I have found that makes any difference to gas consumption is to drive slower.

 

With all cars i've had so far, i have found that the A/C being ON will affect the performance and the gas mileage - in a negative way. Is it s huge difference? Maybe not, but i sure can feel it. I lose about 1-1.5MPG if i run the AC all the time with the RL.
The AC compressor does put extra load on the engine and it will affect your gas mileage and it will make the car a bit more sluggish.

The more powerful the car is, the less you'll feel the effect of the AC being on. In other words, if you have a big powerful V8 under the hood and you run the AC, chances are there will be no noticeable difference in performance. However, if you have a 4-cyl engine or a V6 that is trying to move a HEAVY car (like my RL), any additional 'weight' on the engine will be noticed. A lot of people do not realize it, but the AC compressor requires a good amount of engine force to do its job.

Extra work for the engine is always equal to more gas being used - simple law.

I try to use the AC only when i need it. When it is not raining outside and the weather is cool - i use only the fan (AC off). If it's humid/wet/raining or hot outside - i keep the AC on. I rarely use "Auto".

 

Spray some Lysol in the vents under the hood and inside the cabin while the air is running. Then, change out your cabin air filter to a new one.

Hopefully this solves the stench problem.

 

The rotary a/c compressors are more efficient then the old piston style. Leave the A/C on during the winter or rainy times so that you can keep the windows free. The A/C pulls moisture out of the air inside the car, and drains it out. When the outside air is in the 60's and 70's turn off the A/C if you are driving and just let the fresh air flow in, moderating the cold with the heat controls. You can turn off the a/c under the a/c button on the center console.

 

Good to know, guess ill let it control it self.

 

So, just leave everything in the Auto mode and just manually control the temperature, but leave everything else the same?

I am too having a very hard time with the window fogging up in the mornings driving to work. During the afternoon it's not too bad. At evenings when the family is in the car, it's about dangerous.

This is great information...I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly.

Thank you all.
Cory

 

^^^^^
Yes, that is correct and applicable to most cars. In three Acuras and my current Cadillac, I just leave the climate control on "Auto" and let it do its job. I have never had any mildew problems ever (or at least any severe enough for me to notice).