The hot season changes the behavior of the car almost imperceptibly, but radically. The engine warms up too quickly, fuel evaporates more actively than in cooler weather, and the driver, striving for comfort, turns on the air conditioner immediately after starting. The trip seems familiar: the same route, the same kilometers, the same speed. But the tank empties faster. The reason is hidden not in one factor, but in a complex chain of small things. Each of them individually seems insignificant, but together they turn summer into a challenge.
Air Conditioning As The Main Consumption Factor
The operation of the air conditioner in the heat is a constant load on the engine. The compressor takes part of the power, requiring additional fuel. Efficiency is reduced by more than 25 percent. In the city, the situation is particularly noticeable: short trips and frequent stops increase fuel consumption by 3-4 MPG. In hybrids and electric vehicles, energy is consumed from the battery, which leads to a loss of 1-2 MPG of power reserve. Every number is important. The more often the climate control system is turned on, the faster the driver realizes that there are fewer kilometers to the next gas station. For those who are considering a long term lease like 6 month car lease dubaiThis dependence is especially acute, because the costs are distributed months in advance.
Open Windows And Aerodynamic Drag
It seems logical: roll down the windows, and everything is solved. At low speed, it really helps, the flow rate hardly changes. But once you get on the highway, the situation changes dramatically. The air flows rush into the cabin, the aerodynamics are destroyed, turbulence is created. The engine is forced to spend more energy resisting the air. At speeds over 80 kilometers per hour, open windows cause more losses than air conditioning. It’s a paradox, but it’s a fact: it’s on the highway, where the economy is so important, that it disappears.
The Effect Of Heat On Fuel And Tires
The fuel reacts to the temperature first. Heat increases evaporation, especially if the car is parked in the sun. Even modern vapor capture systems cannot fully cope. Tires are also vulnerable: the air inside expands, the pressure increases, and the grip decreases. Over-inflated wheels impair stability and further increase fuel consumption. Summer fuel mixtures are less volatile and more environmentally friendly, but at the same time reduce overall efficiency. It seems like a small thing, but it is precisely such nuances that add up to the loss of kilometers.
Engine Overheating And Cooling System
Elevated temperatures increase the risk of engine overheating. When the motor is running in extreme heat, it loses efficiency. The cooling system is forced to work at its limit. A lack of refrigerant, a faulty radiator, or a worn-out fan make the trip more expensive and more dangerous. Even a small malfunction in such conditions turns into dozens of additional liters of fuel wasted.
Tips For Saving Fuel In The Heat
It’s realistic to reduce costs.
- – Use windows at low speed, air conditioning on the highway.
- – Before turning on the air conditioner, let the hot air out through the windows or hatch.
- – Try to park in the shade, use sunscreens.
- – Maintain the air conditioner on time: check the compressor, refrigerant level and filters.
- – Keep an eye on tire pressure, as it is directly related to fuel consumption.
Electric Vehicles And Hybrids
For electric vehicles and hybrids, it is especially important to enable the function of pre-cooling the interior during charging. This saves battery power and increases the power reserve. In urban traffic jams, open windows help more than air conditioning, and on the highway it is more profitable to turn on climate control. This approach creates a balance between comfort and efficiency. It all depends on the driver’s ability to choose the right moment.
Summer turns the familiar elements of air conditioning, windows, tires, fuel, and cooling system into crucial cost factors. Savings are possible only with a competent combination of different methods: ventilation of the cabin at low speed, air conditioning on the highway, regular maintenance and parking in the shade. Simple steps, but they are the ones that allow you to keep your expenses under control. Even in extreme heat, the car can remain reliable and efficient.
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