Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mr.OmegaMan on 23 July 2013, 22:54:47

Title: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 23 July 2013, 22:54:47
... To put it lightly, I assume many (me included) have had the Air Con on in the car, Was just wondering how much more MPG does an Omega use, all the engine range, roughly ? ..
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 23 July 2013, 23:11:32
... To put it lightly, I assume many (me included) have had the Air Con on in the car, Was just wondering how much more MPG does an Omega use, all the engine range, roughly ? ..

who cares?  ::) ::)
I honestly can never see a difference, not that I've ever driven my car(s) with the a/c off much. I suppose if you had a low powered mega mpg run-about you might see a difference, but with a large 200+lb/ft car you're not going to see much - if any - difference.  ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbug on 23 July 2013, 23:34:45
Bu**er all difference on a big engined car - much more significant on a small engined car.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 23 July 2013, 23:53:01
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 23 July 2013, 23:59:30
Bothered? ;D

Somebody like me, who really doesn't like a warm stuffy environment, much less a hot sweaty one, really don't care if its adding a significant amount to my fuel bill, or not. Its on and its bloody staying on. No matter how much she moans " IIIIII'm coooooold" ;D

That's not to say I'm not interested to know how much it really does cost though. I thought it was a fair question tbh. :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 00:02:17
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 July 2013, 00:04:39
I've never noticed a difference, so AC stays on now. Rather that than have the compressor clutch pack up. ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Vamps on 24 July 2013, 00:04:54
For the last few weeks the only time I have been able to breath properly is in the Jeep with the aircon on, I am not complaining about the heat or humidity, I have medical aids to help me, just an observation - cost, do I look like I care?............. :D :D
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 00:08:43
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 00:11:14
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.
You'll be misting up the windows then. :)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:11:28
.....  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.

a/c doesn't have to be ice cold, air conditioned air cam also be warm. Mine is almost always in AUTO  :y :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Vamps on 24 July 2013, 00:11:47
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.

 ??? Aircon / climate on all year for me, why not?........ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 24 July 2013, 00:15:39
For the last few weeks the only time I have been able to breath properly is in the car with the aircon on, I am not complaining about the heat or humidity, I have medical aids to help me, just an observation - cost, do I look like I care?............. :D :D

Same here  :o ;D

Aye between 5% - 10% sounds about what I thought. Worth every penny, Just out of curiosity wondered how much it used  :)

Been without AC since Saturday Evening the 3.2 was the only car with working AC  ;D :'(
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:18:49
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.

 ??? Aircon / climate on all year for me, why not?........ :-\ :-\

because people think that they're saving money ..... they forget that a not used a/c is more likely to fail in some way ie dried out compressor seals, the cost of which to replace will far far out weigh any fuel they might have saved.  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: henryd on 24 July 2013, 00:19:03
.....  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.

a/c doesn't have to be ice cold, air conditioned air cam also be warm. Mine is almost always in AUTO  :y :y

My Signum and the Disco are left on auto all year round,Disco burns enough fuel for it to be not worth thinking about :-X,never tried the Signum with the a/c off so don't know of the effect on economy,suppose if I worried about mpg then I wouldn't own a 4 litre V8 or a 3.0 V6 :-X ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:19:59
.... suppose if I worried about mpg then I wouldn't own a 4 litre V8 or a 3.0 V6 :-X ;)

in a nut shell  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 00:20:44
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.
You'll be misting up the windows then. :)
Also, its not just an ac only cooling system. Its climate control. Which it needs at almost all temps to blends an amount of ac, with an amount of heater air, to achieve the selected temp.

Auto on all year, adjust the temp. Leave to be. Seemples. :)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 00:22:07
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.
You'll be misting up the windows then. :)
Yeah its great for demisting but sort of gets addicted to it, in that as soon as you switch the ac off again the windows mist up faster than before as the a/c defrosts thowing off damp air.  I try and avoid using it for that unless I have to.  I find a wipe with a wet cloth with a drop of detergent generally avoids misting. 
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 24 July 2013, 00:22:12
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.

 ??? Aircon / climate on all year for me, why not?........ :-\ :-\

because people think that they're saving money ..... they forget that a not used a/c is more likely to fail in some way ie dried out compressor seals, the cost of which to replace will far far out weigh any fuel they might have saved.  ;) ;)


Good point that Andy  :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 00:24:31
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.

 ??? Aircon / climate on all year for me, why not?........ :-\ :-\

because people think that they're saving money ..... they forget that a not used a/c is more likely to fail in some way ie dried out compressor seals, the cost of which to replace will far far out weigh any fuel they might have saved.  ;) ;)


Good point that Andy  :y
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 00:25:25
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.
You'll be misting up the windows then. :)
Yeah its great for demisting but sort of gets addicted to it, in that as soon as you switch the ac off again the windows mist up faster than before as the a/c defrosts thowing off damp air.  I try and avoid using it for that unless I have to.  I fiond a wipe with a wet cloth with a drop of detergent generally avoids misting. 
...and then there's a constant smeary wipe look to the screen which dazzles in low sun and blurs even more when misted, likely bordering on dangerous too. Not worth the bother IMO. :)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 July 2013, 00:25:41
air con adds about 5% to  fuel consumption at a constant 60 mph in top gear.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=108869.msg1362683#msg1362683) That's for a 2.6 manual. I'd expect a 2.2 to be slightly higher %.

Cheaper than leaving the windows open mind.
5% ? Bolleeeerx Bargain ! ;D
Yes I reckon on 10% mpg saving by using superunleaded so use that and you'll be breaking even regards cost.  Wouldn't use the air con in normal UK weather though.
You'll be misting up the windows then. :)
Yeah its great for demisting but sort of gets addicted to it, in that as soon as you switch the ac off again the windows mist up faster than before as the a/c defrosts thowing off damp air.  I try and avoid using it for that unless I have to.  I find a wipe with a wet cloth with a drop of detergent generally avoids misting.

Just leave it on, then.  ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:27:13
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Vamps on 24 July 2013, 00:29:02
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!

Got to agree with that, parked up for any length of time causes problems........ :y :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: henryd on 24 July 2013, 00:29:26
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!


That's what traffic cars do and they seem to stay in good mechanical fettle.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:31:20
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!

Got to agree with that, parked up for any length of time causes problems........ :y :y

My Omega doesn't like to be sat on the drive for long. It seems to need a day or so before it feels like it did before its  last lay up.  :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 00:32:32
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!

Got to agree with that, parked up for any length of time causes problems........ :y :y
Nice warm car in winter, nice cold car in summer. Non of this waiting for it to warm up or cool down, or damaging cold starts for the engine. Can't argue with that idea. :)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:33:28
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!


That's what traffic cars do and they seem to stay in good mechanical fettle.

And taxis (not that I'm comparing a copper with a taxi driver  ;))

You hear of loads of even the modest cars used can rack up 400 000 & 500 000 miles before they curl their toes up.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 00:34:05


Just leave it on, then.  ;)

I don't just leave it on because, irrespective of warming the planet, 5% extra on your fuel bill for a year doing 20K miles is about £250. Every year. 8)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Andy B on 24 July 2013, 00:39:29


Just leave it on, then.  ;)

I don't just leave it on because, irrespective of warming the planet, 5% extra on your fuel bill for a year doing 20K miles is about £250. Every year. 8)

Is this 5% a real world figure? Have you actually managed to record this difference yourself? I'd doubt it, but would be prepared to be shot down.

Mmmm!  :-\ £250 'saving'. Put it in the bank to put towards the cost of a new compressor.  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: henryd on 24 July 2013, 00:41:50
....
Damn I should be running the whole car 24/7 it would never fail.

Good idea!  :y :y :y :y

Just look at the hassle garaging a car long term causes. You're right ...... run the car all the time!


That's what traffic cars do and they seem to stay in good mechanical fettle.

And taxis (not that I'm comparing a copper with a taxi driver  ;))

You hear of loads of even the modest cars used can rack up 400 000 & 500 000 miles before they curl their toes up.

My old 406 was a taxi,201000 miles covered and yet to take any oil or water between services  :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 00:47:49


Just leave it on, then.  ;)

I don't just leave it on because, irrespective of warming the planet, 5% extra on your fuel bill for a year doing 20K miles is about £250. Every year. 8)

Except you just said you use it in summer. So its not £250 a year saving. IS IT! ;D
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 01:28:10
(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 01:29:17
(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)
Well its a step away from being deliberately argumentative I suppose. :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 01:30:18
(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)
Well its a step away from being deliberately argumentative I suppose. :y
(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 01:48:35
(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)
Well its a step away from being deliberately argumentative I suppose. :y
(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)(http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/37.gif)

Getting warmer. ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 July 2013, 01:50:06
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 02:52:38
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
Woke up now.  I had to look that one up.  I forced myself to trawl though a lot of it (but gave up at page 11 of 18 (http://www.mersenneforum.org/images/smilies/extra/bangheadonwall.gif)). It's not really a credit to the forum is it?
 
The best post was from a  newbie: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=116150.msg1471454#msg1471454 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=116150.msg1471454#msg1471454)

Congrats Gix, the worst post IMHO was yours: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=116150.msg1471797#msg1471797 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=116150.msg1471797#msg1471797)

It is a shame that there are a small clique of egos here who think their view is always right and treat any difference of opinon to the 'oof recommendation' (whatever that is) as being argumentative. 
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbug on 24 July 2013, 02:52:47
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbdb on 24 July 2013, 02:57:47
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(http://www.aemoticon.com/emoticons/stalker.gif)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Entwood on 24 July 2013, 09:33:44
Yet again a simple question in a thread has turned into a folks insisting that only "their" view is the correct one.

The world has a population of several billion, all of whom are entitled to an opinion... it behoves us all to accept that a) we are not always right, we can be wrong b) sometimes others are right, sometimes they are wrong, c) the fastest way of losing an argument is to resort to insults, d) quoting unsubstantiated "facts" just gets peoples backs up.....

To return to the OP's question .. it is my understanding (unsubstantiated) that the AC compressor is between 3 HP and 5 HP. The engine (my 3.2 V6) produces a fraction over 200 HP at max power, if we "assume" that we cruise using about 1/2 max power we are using around 100HP .... it seems logical therefore that the AC will use around 3-5 % of the available power, I would therefore think that the "extra" fuel used is also 3-5%.

Running on LPG costs me (on average over 55000 miles) 16 pence /mile in fuel (with the climate on auto all the time). It would appear that turning it off would save me a maximum of 5% more ... so reducing my costs to 15.2 pence /mile (saving 0.8 pence/mile).... but possibly not that much.

The Omega drag co-efficient was (and I believe still is) one of the lowest around.... there are several reports that opening the sunroof/windows increases the fuel burn by considerably more due to the vastly increased drag.

For those financial reasons I always have the climate on auto, I also just happen to think that being comfortable keeps me more alert and makes me a safer driver ... but that's just my opinion .. one out of several billion possibilities ....  :)


Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Lazydocker on 24 July 2013, 09:38:32
As mine hasn't been working properly I can safely say that there's an awful lot of hot air if you don't have it on ;)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 July 2013, 11:06:51
I leave mine on all year round :y

Ragging the car senselessUsing it all day every day does seem to make it (the car)last longer :y There seems to be alot of much lower mileage cars suffering with issues that I simply haven't encountered on mine, inspite of my car having done three times the mileage.

Mythbusters did an experiment with two identical SUVs, with the same amount of fuel, driving circuits of the same track, on the same day until they ran out of fuel. The only difference between the cars was one had windows OPEN and aircon OFF, tother had windows CLOSED and aircon ON. IIRC the car with the aircon ON travelled several miles further 8)

Basically the energy required to turn the compressor was alot less than the energy required to overcome the drag from the open windows :y

BTW Daily fail stylee quoting from other posts does nowt more that cause explosive arguments. I note that you didn't bother quoting RobGs reply a bit further down page 11, to balance the discussion because it might have countered your example ::)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 July 2013, 15:21:44
The compressor would use a lot of power only under certain circumstances.

The setup has variable stroke pistons so the aircon load can very considerably (and is rarely at max load) and once temp is reached then will be very low
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 July 2013, 15:25:42
As an addition, the mum bus uses about 3mpg more this time of year with aircon on but, this has reduced to about 1.5mpg since I have had the gas topped up.

I have infered that this is because the pump is now operating with shorter piston strokes and hence the losses are reduced
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Rods2 on 24 July 2013, 17:31:07
Yet again a simple question in a thread has turned into a folks insisting that only "their" view is the correct one.

The world has a population of several billion, all of whom are entitled to an opinion... it behoves us all to accept that a) we are not always right, we can be wrong b) sometimes others are right, sometimes they are wrong, c) the fastest way of losing an argument is to resort to insults, d) quoting unsubstantiated "facts" just gets peoples backs up.....

To return to the OP's question .. it is my understanding (unsubstantiated) that the AC compressor is between 3 HP and 5 HP. The engine (my 3.2 V6) produces a fraction over 200 HP at max power, if we "assume" that we cruise using about 1/2 max power we are using around 100HP .... it seems logical therefore that the AC will use around 3-5 % of the available power, I would therefore think that the "extra" fuel used is also 3-5%.

Running on LPG costs me (on average over 55000 miles) 16 pence /mile in fuel (with the climate on auto all the time). It would appear that turning it off would save me a maximum of 5% more ... so reducing my costs to 15.2 pence /mile (saving 0.8 pence/mile).... but possibly not that much.

The Omega drag co-efficient was (and I believe still is) one of the lowest around.... there are several reports that opening the sunroof/windows increases the fuel burn by considerably more due to the vastly increased drag.

For those financial reasons I always have the climate on auto, I also just happen to think that being comfortable keeps me more alert and makes me a safer driver ... but that's just my opinion .. one out of several billion possibilities ....  :)

Most of the time you are probably only using 30-50hp when cruising. Obviously more when towing the tinbox.

You having independent thoughts and opinions sound very dangerous to me, where I thought to be a regular posting long standing member of OOF you have to strictly follow these two rules with all comments:  ;) :P

1. I'm ALWAYS, but ALWAYS right. :y :y :y
2. When I'm wrong, see rule 1. :-[ :-[ :-[ :P :P :P

Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 July 2013, 19:45:38
Don't forget Rule 3 ::)

Thinking that not telling SWMBO is a good idea is always a bad idea. She will find out, she won't approve, and will not be swayed. Ever.
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: omega3000 on 24 July 2013, 20:09:56
Rule 4

Hide the newly bought V8 in a mates garage  :-X
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 24 July 2013, 20:25:06
Rule 4

Hide the newly bought V8 in a mates garage  :-X

Come Now Spill It ......................  ::)
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbug on 24 July 2013, 21:03:54
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(http://www.aemoticon.com/emoticons/stalker.gif)
Grow up mate and don't be so argumentative >:(
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: tunnie on 24 July 2013, 21:09:09
I feel left out, what's gone on here?  :-\  ;D
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 24 July 2013, 21:39:48
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(http://www.aemoticon.com/emoticons/stalker.gif)
Grow up mate and don't be so argumentative >:(
+1 Life's to short......
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: dbug on 24 July 2013, 21:40:53
Has Arolf come back having learned punctuation? :-\
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(http://www.aemoticon.com/emoticons/stalker.gif)
Grow up mate and don't be so argumentative >:(
+1 Life's to short......
Agreed  :y
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 24 July 2013, 21:51:09
I feel left out, what's gone on here?  :-\  ;D

Well it was supposed to be something about trying to work out how much extra fuel Air Con uses or saves, But now I've got the 3.2 working again i don't care its full on again  ;) ;D :-X

But thinking about it and what others have said, When its hot obviously you either have to turn the Air Con on if you vehicle has it or open the windows usually more than one.. So MPG is hit either way with the drag of the windows open. But at higher speeds the drag would be so much Air Con would work out cheaper... Anyway's it's interesting  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Seen as its been rather warm...
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 July 2013, 22:09:30
Rule 4

Hide the newly bought V8 in a mates garage  :-X
Rule 4 doesn't work ::) see Rule 3 for details :y

I feel left out, what's gone on here?  :-\  ;D

See replies 8 through 43, paying particular attention to reply 37 ::)