When it comes to fuel consumption, there are many factors that come into play when you're driving a car. From traffic to road conditions, weather, and speed, there are numerous things that can impact how much petrol your car consumes.
However, one question that has been lingering in the minds of car owners is how much petrol their car consumes when the engine is running, but the car is stationary, and the air conditioning (AC) is on.
Let's find out.
Factors Affecting Petrol Consumption on a Stationary Car with AC on
It is important to understand that the amount of petrol a car consumes when it is stationary with the AC on is not constant.
The amount of fuel consumed depends on various factors, including the size of the engine, the type of AC system, the outside temperature, and the duration for which the AC is left on.
Engine Size
A car's engine size plays a significant role in determining how much fuel it consumes. Larger engines tend to consume more fuel than smaller engines.
This is because larger engines require more energy to run and, thus, require more fuel to produce that energy.
Therefore, a car with a larger engine will consume more fuel when it is standing still with the AC on compared to a car with a smaller engine.
Type of AC
The type of AC system also plays a role in determining fuel consumption. Cars with manual AC systems consume less fuel than those with automatic AC systems.
This is because manual AC systems require less power to operate. On the other hand, automatic AC systems require more power to operate and, thus, consume more fuel.
Weather
Outside temperature also plays a role in determining fuel consumption when the car is standing with the AC on.
If the outside temperature is high, the AC system will have to work harder to cool down the car, which will result in higher fuel consumption.
On the other hand, if the outside temperature is low, the AC system will require less energy to cool down the car, resulting in lower fuel consumption.
Duration
The duration for which the AC is left on also plays a significant role in determining fuel consumption.
If the AC is left on for a short period, such as a few minutes, the fuel consumption will be minimal.
However, the fuel consumption will be significant if the AC is left on for an extended period, such as several hours.
Petrol Consumption of a Standing Car with AC on
According to experts, a car's fuel consumption when standing still with the AC on can range from 0.2 litres to 0.5 litres per hour. However, this is just an estimate, and the actual fuel consumption can vary significantly depending on the factors discussed above.
Take the Test
You can perform a simple test to get a better idea of how much fuel your car consumes when standing still with the AC on.
Start by filling up your car's fuel tank and noting down the mileage.
Then, park your car in a stationary position with the AC on and note the time.
After an hour, turn off the AC and record the mileage again.
The difference between the initial and final mileage will give you an idea of how much fuel your car consumed in an hour with the AC on.
Conclusion
The amount of petrol consumed by a car while standing still with the AC on depends on various factors, including the engine size, the type of AC system, the outside temperature, and the duration for which the AC is left on.
While the estimated fuel consumption ranges from 0.2 to 0.5 litres per hour, the actual fuel consumption can vary significantly. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of how long you leave the AC on and to turn it off when it is not needed to conserve fuel and reduce expenses.
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