While most electronic components within the leading vehicles on today’s marketplace require little amounts of fuel to operate, the air conditioning is not one of them. Without a commitment to effective use of their air conditioning systems, drivers could find themselves spending hundreds of dollars more on fuel this summer. And so in this blog, we’ll focus on several ways that drivers can achieve optimal performance and fuel efficiency from the use of their air conditioning units.
Spend the Money on a Tune-Up to Save in the Long-Term
A vehicle’s air conditioning system will lose efficiency over time without continuous tuning from auto mechanics. Each year, prior to the warmer months, drivers should have their air conditioning units inspected for signs of problems to ensure that they’re achieving value for money each time they set out on the road. Inspection teams can help to eliminate problems such as leaks and blockages that reduce efficiency significantly.
Turn off the A/C During Stop and Go Traffic
When operating a vehicle at fast speeds, drivers must consider the effect that the air from outside their vehicle can have on their fuel efficiency. Oftentimes at those high speeds, air conditioning is the superior choice to simply opening a window. But when drivers encounter stop and go traffic, they will find that simply opening and window and allowing air flow through the vehicle can help them make exceptional savings on gas during the warmer months. Reducing use of the air conditioning systems during those frustrating drives through the city will help preserve fuel for longer trips.
Turn off the A/C Before Arriving at a Destination
With the long-term fuel-savings made by limiting use of air conditioning, it’s important to find as many driving stages as possible when the system is not required. One way in which drivers can improve their return on investment is by turning off their air conditioning in the 20 minutes or so before they arrive at their destination. The vehicle should have enough cool air in the cabin to ensure driver comfort for the remaining period before they arrive.
The fuel-efficiency focused driver should experiment with how they use their air conditioning system this summer. By simply changing a few habits over time, they can make great savings on their monthly fuel expenditure without compromising comfort. To learn more on air conditioning system performance, speak with one of our parts experts today!
