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GEICO More / Driving / Auto / Auto Care / Car Air-Conditioning: How To Maximize The Cool

Car Air-Conditioning: How To Maximize The Cool

June 18, 2018 261 Comments

car a/c controlsYour car’s air-conditioning system has one job—to keep you cool. But during a summer scorcher, it may seem like it’s barely up to the task. And even at those times, it’s eating up gas: The EPA estimates that using A/C in very hot conditions can reduce fuel economy by as much as 25 percent for a conventional vehicle. (It also zaps battery life in electrics and hybrids.)

Here’s why: Whenever you flip the switch, the system pulls in air from either the cabin or outdoors, extracts the heat and moisture from it, and pushes it out through vents. And the heart of this system is a compressor, which draws energy from the engine. So whenever you’re using the A/C, the engine has to work harder—and you burn more fuel.

But a few easy tips can help you save gas—and money—while making you feel cooler faster. Here’s what the pros recommend.

Park Smart

A car’s A/C system can only reduce the cabin temperature by approximately 40 degrees on average, says Jill Trotta, head of industry advocacy and sales for RepairPal. (Though of course, the longer you drive, the cooler the air will become.) If you park in a shady spot, the interior will start out cooler and the A/C will have less work to do. If the cabin is warm, roll down the windows and let the hot air escape before you rev up the A/C.

Set It To Recirculate

“Recirculation is probably the best way to maximize the A/C,” says Trotta. The benefit of recirculation is that the A/C system is pulling air only from within the cabin. So if it’s roasting outside but you already have the cabin down to a pleasant 72 degrees, the A/C will have to chill only that cooler air within the car. You’ll save on gas, too: Once the interior reaches the set temperature, the A/C compressor will turn off, reducing the load on the engine.

Skip Pre-Cooling

It may be more comfortable to cool your car before you’re underway, but running the A/C when the car’s not moving is highly inefficient. “Air conditioning will perform optimally when there’s airflow, like when you’re driving down the road,” says Timothy Hatcher, director of technical operations for the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association. So wait until you’re already cruising before you turn it on. In an electric or hybrid, pre-cooling reduces the battery life, so either avoid the practice or stay plugged into the charger when you do it.

Change Your Cabin Air Filters On Schedule

The cabin air filters remove dirt and dust from the air that comes out of the vents. When a filter gets dirty, it restricts the air trying to pass through, says Hatcher. So replace the cabin air filters according to the schedule in your owner’s manual, which is probably every year or two, or every 15,000–20,000 miles.

Don’t Ignore Leaks

The biggest misconception about A/C systems, says Hatcher, is that if they’re low on refrigerant, you just need to add more (a process called recharging). But the system is sealed; nothing should be going in or out. “Adding refrigerant isn’t normal, and it isn’t maintenance,” says Hatcher. “It’s an indication of some other issue.” If yours is low, visit a professional certified in air-conditioning maintenance and repair to check it out.

Another way to keep your cool (and peace of mind)? Download the GEICO Mobile app for help at your fingertips—from roadside assistance to help finding your car and more!

Read more: Check out these other smart ways to get better gas mileage.

By Julie Anne Russell

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Filed Under: Auto Care

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  1. Janis Burrell says

    July 15, 2019 at 9:23 pm

    Thanks this tip was great! . Especially the air filter and cabin filter info.

    Reply
  2. V Myers says

    July 9, 2019 at 7:39 pm

    My air compressor went out for on me years ago. Haven’t been able to afford a new one. When time comes I’ll be ready to utilize your awesome tips!!
    Thanks ?

    Reply
  3. Rochelle avis clay says

    January 31, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    i found the information about recharging the air conditioner very important at this time, Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Elaine Blackmer says

    November 3, 2018 at 11:28 am

    Thank you for providing these tips. As a single woman, no one ever taught me these basics.

    Reply
  5. Chi Chu says

    October 16, 2018 at 11:55 am

    The only best and most useful tips are to tries to do parking your car in the shaded areas like under trees or shaded buildings much as you can in the summertime.The others tips doesn’t help that much as tips.

    Reply
  6. YenBirdie says

    October 4, 2018 at 2:32 am

    Thx to Geico ^.^ with Good tips! Good rates! Good customer services…

    Reply
  7. evelin negron says

    September 3, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    thank you for the tips!

    Reply
  8. Dave Beaulieu says

    August 31, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    Thank you. This has been a ?? Of mine for a while.

    Reply
  9. Lorraine ryan says

    August 30, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    Thanks for the tips, sure comes in handy.

    Reply
  10. BrendaLee says

    August 29, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    Awesome tips! I knew one or two, but not the others. Thanks for sharing these tips. GEICO is the best!

    Reply
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