It’s hard to resist the call of fresh air when you get into a car that has been transformed into a real oven. However, turning on the air conditioning at all costs can have less trivial consequences than it seems, starting with your fuel consumption. Yes, this immediate comfort could impact your portfolio in the long term… and not just a little.
When you turn on the air conditioning, you directly solicit the motor, which increases energy expenditure. As a result, your vehicle consumes more, even over short distances. And for slightly older or poorly maintained models, it can even cause the engine to overheat. Not really what you want in the middle of summer, right?
Open windows vs. air conditioning: the unexpected duel
Did you think that driving with the windows open necessarily consumed more? Not so fast! A study by the Society of Automotive Engineers, conducted in collaboration with General Motors, compared the two options. Verdict: up to a certain speed (about 80 km/h), driving with the windows down is generally more economical than running the air conditioning.
That said, it should not be made a hard and fast rule either. At high speeds, open windows increase air resistance (the famous “aerodynamic drag”), which also ends up weighing on consumption. The best option? Driving with closed windows without air conditioning, if the weather permits… easier said than done when it’s 35 °C outside!
And if the weather gets involved?
Unsurprisingly, the hotter it is, the harder the air conditioning has to work to maintain a pleasant temperature. But what is less well known is that this extra effort can put pressure on other elements of the vehicle, such as the radiator or the ventilation system. In the city or on the hill, it can quickly become a mechanical headache.
For hybrid or electric vehicles, the situation is a little different. These models generally see their range decrease by 10 to 15% when the air conditioning is used, because it draws directly from the battery. However, they handle heat better than cold, according to specialists. It is therefore in winter that electric car drivers will have to be extra vigilant.
Our tips for staying cool… without air conditioning
However, there is no question of cooking on the road! Here are some simple but effective ideas to keep your car cooler, even without air conditioning:
- Ventilate as soon as you open: Before starting, open all the doors or roll down the windows for a few minutes to evacuate the hot air.
- Favour shaded car parks: A shady corner or a sun visor can make a real difference.
- Dress your seats: Covers made of breathable fabric (linen or cotton) will prevent the “furnace” effect on the thighs.
- Ride early or late: If you have a choice, avoid the hottest hours (12 p.m. – 4 p.m.).
- Drink cool: Carry a bottle of cool water to stay hydrated without having to turn the air conditioning up to the max.
Sometimes, the best solution is simply to slow down… on ventilation!
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