Maximizing your fuel savings: The smart way to use air conditioning

Specialists from SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) emphasise that smart use of air conditioning can reduce fuel consumption, while improper use leads to an increase. They provide advice on effectively cooling a car's interior to enjoy maximum coolness with minimal financial expenditure.

Both combustion engine and electric vehicle drivers are aware that activating the air conditioning puts a load on the engine or battery, resulting in increased fuel or electricity consumption. This is especially well known to taxi drivers, with whom I often discuss this.

Many choose not to turn on the air conditioning, considering its impact on fuel consumption - a key factor affecting their income. After turning on the air conditioning, the average consumption increases by about 1 litre to 2 litres per 100 miles. For smaller engines, this increase is even greater. For example, a driver of an almost new model, Dacia Logan, confessed to me that in the summer months, he has to give up air conditioning because the consumption of his vehicle then increases to around 13 litres per 100 miles on LPG in city driving. He can limit consumption to about 9 to 10 litres per 100 miles without air conditioning.

However, driving at speeds above 80 km/h with windows down can increase fuel consumption by about 20 per cent, according to research conducted by the International Society of Automotive Engineers.

According to them, at higher speeds, the load generated by the air conditioning is not so great that it would be more beneficial to open the windows and worsen the vehicle's aerodynamics, which is crucial at high speeds.

• at low city speeds, it's worth opening windows and turning off the air conditioning;
• when moving at higher speeds, it's better to close the windows and use the air conditioning;
• turn on the air conditioning only when necessary, when it's really hot;
• avoid setting the air conditioning to too low temperatures;
• try to park in shaded areas – it will be cooler, and the air conditioning will be unnecessary;
• immediately after starting, open the windows for a moment to air out the interior, and at the same time, refrain from turning on the air conditioning for the first few minutes;
• try not to use the air conditioning while stationary;
• in the case of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, it's a good idea to cool the interior before disconnecting from the charger.