Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General how much energy does "A/C" save over "MAX A/C" ?

i alwayws wondered how well the "A/C" mode in my 2000 contour saved energy over "Max A/C" mode. i notice that it doesnt blow as hard and its not as cold so there must be a significant energy gain when you switch over to A/C.

also, i wondered how much using the air conditioning affected the gas mileage of my car as opposed to having it off. i used to own a neon and using the A/C would nearly cut the gas mileage in half. man i am glad i got rid of that P.O.S!

Actually, if you read your owner's manual, you'll find that the Max A/C setting is designed to be the more economical mode of operation in the long run, since it recirculates the cabin air. Normal A/C always ducts in un-cooled, outside air.

Max a/c position only shuts off outside air intake thereby solely recirculating cabin air, no inherent change in energy consumption. Change in blower sound is simply due to this more restrictive change in air routing in the plenum.

Up to 10% decrease in mpg would be my guess in general driving, less on long highway run. I've never done a measured run comparison.

In the long run of your journey, the Max A/C will be more economical. With regular A/C, you are always cooling the warm outside air. With Max A/C, once the air cools in the car, you are recirculating the cooler air which will be less stressful on the A/C.

I wonder...

When the a/c is on is the compressor running all the time or does it cycle on and off? Also if you set the temp above the coldest position...how does it make the air warmer?

I know nothing about this but I always assumed when A/C is on it is just on and uses the same energy no matter what. It is not like your home a/c where there is a thermostat that cycles compressor on and off as needed.

It cycles on and off, thanks to the lightened flywheel on an SVT you can feel it.

Recirculate should only be used for short time, because it also tends to in pull fumes in from the rear of the car. When it's super hot out and this wonderful 134a I've been forced to use MAX but every 15-20 minutes I'd pull air in from the outside (AC) for a few minutes, just to be safe.
Paul

WOW! I can feel mine without a lightened flywheel. I pi55es me off cause it feels like the car loses 20hp everytime the thing turns on. Now when I'm on a road trip I put cruise on so I don't have to feel the thing surge all the time... Just give me an ON / OFF button and I would be a much happier camper!

Cycles based on engine conditions and refrigerant pressure. Former in case of WOT or possible stall at idle, latter to ensure evaporator doesn't ice up.

Allows airflow to go thru' heater core, kinda like having your house a/c on (without thermostat) and opening windows to vary temperature. VERY energy efficient, yes?

p.s. On the question asked in topic, no difference. Max for quick cool down only when entering hot parked car.

I've always read that running the A/C is more fuel efficient than riding with the windows down, especially at 65 mph since it causes quite a drag.

Same is true on pick-ups. Riding with the tailgate up creates a "bubble" of air in the bed, so the air flows over it. Ride with it down and the bubble is gone and the flat back of the cab creates drag.