Probably a very stupid air conditioning question

[Carrie]

I've had my new car for about a month now and it's the first time I've had a car with air conditioning.
My daily commute is often in heavy traffic and when sitting in such traffic I'd normally expect the engine temperature to rise. However, on the Astra it just gets to its normal running temperature and sticks there. Does the air con system have a cooling effect on the engine? I'm not really bothered, just slightly curious.
It might just be a Vauxhall thing. I had a Nova which never got up to the top of the blue mark on the temp gauge on the dash and every garage reckoned that car should never be running at the temperatures it did, but when they tried to set it to what should have been normal, it always stopped running I'd had that car for four and a half years (and it used to go to the British GP every year sitting in those notorious queues) before I actually discovered that yes it did have a fan

[calais]

carrie, it might be similar my holden. the engine cooling fan only comes on when the coolant reaches a certain temp,then shuts off when it drops.
though when the air conditioning is on, the cooling fan runs constalntly, keeping the engine temp at a constant, low level.

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by calais
carrie, it might be similar my holden. the engine cooling fan only comes on when the coolant reaches a certain temp,then shuts off when it drops.
though when the air conditioning is on, the cooling fan runs constalntly, keeping the engine temp at a constant, low level.

The A/C condensor fan will only cut in when the A/C compressor cut's in. It does not run all the time and is used as means of curcuilating more air throught the condensor.

[calais]

i'm talking about the engine ccoling fan though, which is on more than it would be than if the A/C were switched off

[Alan Jones]

Carrie, the air con does not have a cooling effect on the engine, in fact it makes it run hotter. Many cabs in Sydney have aircon that either has been disconnected or is never turned on due to the constant over heating.I used to drive a cab with a larger radiator and 2 additional fans to fix this problem

[Tony_Simpson]

the water thermostat on the nova is always a problem as it never opens at the correct temperature.It always opens too early. This is not really a problem, mine still does it.

More modern cars like the Astra have a more reliable and better engineered cooling system so it can run at optimum temperature, so that the engine is most reliable (best performance, fuel economy, etc.)

Remember A/C drinks more petrol, and saps engine power, fine on a company car/petrol card but is it relly worth it in the uk (except in traffic jams that is )

[bigwrench59]

Don't forget the A/C compressor also comes on when the winshield defrost is on. This dries the air blown onto the windscreen,(shield).can also cause the engine temp to rise

[DavyboyLT1]

My current car (V8) has 2 electric cooling fans for the radiator.

One of the fans is controlled by a temperature sensor (i.e. it turns on when the engine starts getting too warm). The other fan runs whenever the AC is turned on. The car will, however, run warmer than normal if stuck in traffic in hot weather with the AC on.

The engine in my previous car (4-cyl turbo) had a similar cooling arrangement, yet would warm up to, and maintain the exact same temperature, regardless of AC load, traffic, or ambient temp (indeed from -20 C to +30 C).

It depends on the individual car, and the design of the cooling system.

[strad]

""I had a Nova which never got up to the top of the blue mark on the temp gauge on the dash and every garage reckoned that car should never be running at the temperatures it did, but when they tried to set it to what should have been normal, it always stopped running""
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Think the gauge may have been wrong????

[DAVID PATERSON]

Carrie make sure you switch off the A/C BEFORE switching off the engine, to reduce strain on the A/C drive.

Also, make sure you use the A/C for at least ten minutes a week to lubricate the seals etc.

Despite the naysayers, A/C is actually a very handy thing to have in the UK. There is NO more effective window demister.

[kpm]

running air con uses no more fuel than opening one window fully about 10% and is more economical than opening two if you have it yes its worth using in the uk, even in winter as the air is dried so clearing the screen quickly and adds to safety as d paterson says

[Lorna]

I would have gladly welcomed air con in my car this weekend. It was a bit of a scorcher! And yes, I do live in Britain

[Jukebox]

Imagine driving without one in my country...you european guys would fry

[Lorna]

True, but you still have to step out of the car at some point. Isn't it like a heat wave hitting you in the face?

[Alan Jones]

Sometimes yes, but that isn't a problem when you are parking at the beach

[Lorna]

I am so jealous...