I know that running the A/C burns fuel economy, but what about the heater. Does it also have an effect?

 

Not that I know of... in fact, some times people run their heaters when racing the quarter mile comps... This way they keep the engine some what cooler, and it keeps your quarter mile times close (so you don't break out, or underperform.) The air conditioner takes up horses and gas milage because of running the condencer.

 

Not to hijack this thread, is there a way to get the auto climate control system in the gle just to have air from the outside pass through the vents? With my 93 maxima all I had to do was make sure the air recycler was off and the switch was in the right psotion and and just let the air come in. Is this possible with the newer systems.

 

Same way; make sure the recirculation button is off. You can do it one of three ways; turn the climate control off & Air will blow to the feet; if the climate control is off & the recir button is on, no air will enter. You can also press the MODE button which basically does the same thing, except the display is on. Or you can use the ECON (condenser isn't running) feature which uses outside air to maintain your cabin temperature.

 

cna you get it to come thought the upper vents rather than the feet?

 

When u press MODE, air is directed to the upper vents

 

I think what he means by that is, when you hit "auto" instead of the air going to ur feet, can you make it to come thru the vents?

 

what i meant is whith the AC off and not blowing, can you get fresh air into the car through the upper vents simply by opening the vents and having the circulation off. This was a feature in most cars a few years back.

 

You still highjacked it. Anyways, back to the original question. Any one else have information?

 

By using your heater you are making your engine more efficient. The heat created from the internal combustion is being used to heat your car. Plus your helping remove heat from the engine making it more efficient. In the summer time it is wasted energy. With the heater on the engine has to naturally turn the waterpump to move the coolant and power a fan if you turn it on. With the AC the engine also has to turn the compressor and power the various equipment for the AC.

 

Thats what I was thinking, too. Thanks.
Anyone else have information on this???