Air Con and Fuel consumption

[Tornado8]

I ask as I usually keep the air con on, and set to Auto. So has anyone noticed any difference in fuel economy? I have the mode set as individual ie most settings in sport apart from steering, which I have as normal. I have Revo Stage 2 and have been getting around 34mpg

[monkeyhanger]

Depends on how you use it. Set it to low on temp, no recirculation and be driving at low speeds and it'll really eat into your fuel economy.

Set it to 18C, put on recirculation and be doing over 30mph and you might only lose 1mpg. The recirculation makes a big difference - instead of constantly cooling air and dumping it out of the car, you're cooling it and then just topping up the cooling as it passes through the car again.

[Tornado8]

Depends on how you use it. Set it to low on temp, no recirculation and be driving at low speeds and it'll really eat into your fuel economy.

Set it to 18C, put on recirculation and be doing over 30mph and you might only lose 1mpg. The recirculation makes a big difference - instead of constantly cooling air and dumping it out of the car, you're cooling it and then just topping up the cooling as it passes through the car again.

Thanks monkeyhanger i'll give it a go

[mcmaddy]

Just leave the climate control on all the time, what's the point in having it and not using it.

[scotland67]

Yes I agree, you don't buy a GTI to worry about saving a few mpg by not using the excellent climate control.

[Poached]

Yes, best left on. I find 22-23°C pleasant most of the time.

Recirc mode also useful when following a non-DPF diesel belting soot out of the exhaust.

[matchboy]

Does anyone notice a loss in power when the air con is on?  I remember in the old mk 4's when you had it on it felt like it used half the engine power 

[monkeyhanger]

Does anyone notice a loss in power when the air con is on?  I remember in the old mk 4's when you had it on it felt like it used half the engine power 

It's noticeable but not huge when you have recirculation on. If your mpg drops 5% when you're using aircon, I'd bet your output is suffering to a similar level. If I get into a boiling hot car I'll drive a short way with the Windows down to get rid of the built up heat, then put the aircon on. I like a cold car, nothing over 18c for me. If ambient is cooler than that I'll leave it without the aircon on unless I'm going for bone-dry air to avoid condensation in Winter.

[ajmoir36]

I have to admit I am a 4 windows down guy, air con off, if bumming around town, maybe on the motorway air con on. The R is the first car that I have had that I do not notice the air con making a difference to the performance.

[Diehammer]

Does anyone notice a loss in power when the air con is on?  I remember in the old mk 4's when you had it on it felt like it used half the engine power 

It's noticeable but not huge when you have recirculation on. If your mpg drops 5% when you're using aircon, I'd bet your output is suffering to a similar level. If I get into a boiling hot car I'll drive a short way with the Windows down to get rid of the built up heat, then put the aircon on. I like a cold car, nothing over 18c for me. If ambient is cooler than that I'll leave it without the aircon on unless I'm going for bone-dry air to avoid condensation in Winter.

I like a cold car as well nothing above 20c for me only women have cars warmer than that.