The greater the number of peripheral systems we activate, the higher the fuel consumption of our car engine and saving fuel might not be possible
The technical specifications of the car itself, as well as our driving habits and traffic conditions, all have an impact on fuel consumption.
So, although those conditions that negatively affect the fuel consumption of a carAMP are known to most of us, there is a very important detail that we either ignore or despise, burdening the operation of the engine and disproportionately increasing its energy requirements.
The reason is of course for the peripheral systems of a vehicle , the pointless and thoughtless use of which can only have negative consequences. As innocent as a switch may seem, such as that of the headlights or the heated windshield, the combined use of energy-intensive subsystems increases fuel consumption significantly.
The burden on the engine can manifest both directly and indirectly. An illustration of direct burden involves the air conditioning systemAMP, where the compressor’s connection to the crankshaft contributes to increased fuel consumption, typically ranging from 0.5 to 1 liter per hour.
On the other hand, the indirect burden stems primarily from subsystems that consume electricity, spanning from the car’s lighting system to its sound system. In such instances, the rise in fuel consumption is estimated at 0.1 liters per 100 kilometers for an energy consumption of 100 Watts. Notably, using the heated rear windscreen alone can result in a fuel cost of 0.8 liters per 100 kilometers.
Additional features like heated seats, lamps, the cigarette lighter, digital displays, and even the utilization of charging ports contribute to higher fuel consumption by elevating the energy requirements from the vehicle’s engine.
It’s essential to note that in contemporary cars equipped with a stop/start system, the operation of these subsystems frequently prevents the engine from stopping when the vehicle is stationary (as determined by the system’s prioritization). Consequently, fuel is used in such scenarios that could have otherwise been conserved.