krakenredbeard
New member
I've heard the Bluetooth ones have a delay please update us with how it is for you.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
how to get better mpg?
- Thread starter dbarrett231
- Start date
mowcowbell
New member
There is some very slight lag with the bluetooth ODBII devices... maybe 2/10 of a sec delay. But it's fine for anything else that you are tracking. The Torque app has dozens upon dozens of different things it can track (depending on which sensors are installed in the vehicle). I do wish our Sonics had oil pressure and oil temp sensors, but they don't.
TopazLT14
New member
Not using my AC isn't an option in the summer months here in the southeast. I've gotten in my car on days where the temperature inside was over 115 degrees. With no AC and the windows down, it's just too hot and sticky, and I end up sweaty and smelly. I never run the AC on high, and keep the fan setting on 1 or 2, so it doesn't affect my gas mileage enough to worry about.
ChrisJ
Active member
Actually,
The lower fan speed and the cooler the ambient the lower the duty cycle the compressor will have. Not only that, the lower the highside pressure and the less power it consumes.
I promise you the A/C draws a whole lot more power on a 100F day with the fan on #4 than it does with the fan on #1 on a 80F day.
Lower fan speeds and using recirculate will both reduce the head pressure as well as the duty cycle.
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
Running the AC compressor (which also runs when using Defrost, so it isn't really the AC compressor per se) costs a couple mpg. Running the fan does not seem to change mpg at all, if it does it is imperceptible. Lowering the windows costs even more mpg than running the AC, though, at least at highway speeds.
I suppose best bet would be to lower the windows when you first start out, to dump all that heated air out of the cabin, then seal up tight, run the AC with Recirc until it gets cool inside, tap the AC snowflake off and just run recirc to keep the cabin comfy, cycling AC back on every now and then if it gets too warm. This has not, however, been tested against simply leaving the AC on constantly, it is just suggested by logic. If it works, perhaps installing an aftermarket thermostat would be a nice mod?
I suppose best bet would be to lower the windows when you first start out, to dump all that heated air out of the cabin, then seal up tight, run the AC with Recirc until it gets cool inside, tap the AC snowflake off and just run recirc to keep the cabin comfy, cycling AC back on every now and then if it gets too warm. This has not, however, been tested against simply leaving the AC on constantly, it is just suggested by logic. If it works, perhaps installing an aftermarket thermostat would be a nice mod?
ChrisJ
Active member
Just an off the wall guess, I'd say the A/C consumes around 3hp with fan on #1 with recirculate on, on a 75-80F day. Where I would guess around 6+hp under extreme conditions such as a 100F day without recirculate and the blower on #4.
Double the power must make a difference. Of course on that 100F day once the inside is cooled down if you use recirculate the power consumption should drop down, but I'd still bet on a 4-5hp draw. Also whether you're stopped or moving makes a big difference as well. Sitting still the headpressure creeps up wheres going down the road it stays quite a bit lower.
As far as turning it on and off, if the sun is shining on you and its warm out it won't take very long for you to want it back on.
ChrisJ
Active member
Not even close my friend.
20 HP would be 50,000 btu's and I can assure you the Sonic is not pushing a 4 ton A/C unit.
6HP is 15,000 btu.
4HP is 10,000 btu.
Both sound perfectly reasonable for the Sonic. 50,000 does not. I think even the high end 6 cylinder A/C GM was putting in their large cars in the 70s was only 7HP.
I think the difference you are feeling is when you're robbed 5-6 HP at a low rpm when the engine is only producing 20-30 to begin with.
mowcowbell
New member
On my topic of trying an ODBII Bluetooth device...
At least with my Galaxy S5, I am able to run both Torque and use the bluetooth connection to my Sonic's audio system simultaneously. I thought that wasn't possible, but it may be because of the newer smartphone I have.
At least with my Galaxy S5, I am able to run both Torque and use the bluetooth connection to my Sonic's audio system simultaneously. I thought that wasn't possible, but it may be because of the newer smartphone I have.
I know I only have 1700 miles on this car (2014 LT 1.8), and my lifetime average is 35.6.
I coast a lot. I use cruise a lot, however if using cruise and descending, ill turn cruise off and coast.
I also dont use the AC very often. I find the feet/defrost function is cold enough for me and I also use the windows frequently.
I drive like an old lady, but I have been getting 400+ miles on a tank. My miles are 75% city/suburbs and right now Im at 35.6. I can get 45 on the highway.
my .02
I coast a lot. I use cruise a lot, however if using cruise and descending, ill turn cruise off and coast.
I also dont use the AC very often. I find the feet/defrost function is cold enough for me and I also use the windows frequently.
I drive like an old lady, but I have been getting 400+ miles on a tank. My miles are 75% city/suburbs and right now Im at 35.6. I can get 45 on the highway.
my .02
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Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
I'm pretty sure that if you have the dial set to cold and the other dial set to either defrost, that you are essentially running the AC, even if the snowflake button isn't on. The two defrost settings both turn the compressor on, because dry air helps keep the window clear. This is the exact same compressor that is used when you push the snowflake button on while in any of the various vent settings.
