A/C vs. no A/C Gas Mileage

vxla · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:04 pm

Please take this poll.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:26 pm

It is true a/c uses up gas more, but opening your window uses up even MORE gas. If it is necessary open a/c on highway speeds.

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:27 pm

This really all depends. If the alternative is driving with all your windows all the way down and the sunroof open then the odds are you'll get better mileage with the A/C on and the windows up. If you drive around with just the vent on and the windows up you'll get better mileage than either of the above scenarios. Other combinations of windows up/down/paritally down will of course vary between the two.

LimitedLurker · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:18 pm **Posts:** 114

Mount up boys them doggies have broken loose.

Don't polls belong in the polls section?

02LIBRT · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:03 pm

I am not buying that anyone gets better mileage with AC on than without. 66% said they do. :roll:

PuuuuuLEASE!

Later,
J

InCommando · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:48 pm

The wind resistance, especially with no open windows past the rear door, requires fuel to overcome. It acts like a parachute. Although I have obviously never tested this myself, I have read two articles over the years that list the cut-off point at about 35 MPH. Below that, open windows get better mileage, above that, a/c is better.

02LIBRT · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:57 pm

InCommando wrote:

The wind resistance, especially with no open windows past the rear door, requires fuel to overcome. It acts like a parachute. Although I have obviously never tested this myself, I have read two articles over the years that list the cut-off point at about 35 MPH. Below that, open windows get better mileage, above that, a/c is better.

I agree with you completely... But mileage with or without AC has nothing to do with windows being open or closed.

Keep in mind that the heater/defroster has the same result as AC but would obviously not be solved by having the windows down. :wink:

Later,
J

FUNNMUD · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:11 pm

I know that everyone is saying that on the highway you are better off with A/C on and windows up but I've had to take a trip out of town the last 3 weeks, about 210 miles each way going 70-80 mph the whole time(except on the dirt road which is 29 miles). the first weekend used A/C on the way up, got 18.7 mpg

second time no A/C on the way up got 21.1 mpg with windows down

. So I am going keep the A/C off. I think it may have to do with the fact that I climb about 5000 feet in those miles and the hill climbs just put more stress on the engine especially with the A/C on.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Never really tested it. I'd rather be comfortable and spend a couple extra dollars, then be uncomfortable and save a few dollars. Even if it drops you from 20mpg to 18mpg it is really only like 4 dollars extra. That is more than worth it to be comfortable for 4-5 hours of driving, especially in 90+ temperatures.

FUNNMUD · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:07 pm

Honestly, the heat here doesnt bother me too much. You just get used to it. I'm just a broke college student so I do what I can to save money, with gas prices creeping to $2.50 a gallon any little bit helps over time. It all adds up!!!

SethX9 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:41 pm

114 in PHX today - 118 in Goodyear ... I don't care how long I live here or what the AC does to my mpg; my AC stays on during the day in July in August!!

btw - didn't take the poll because there was no 'No Difference' option.

s~

Pam Courts · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:52 pm

Amen SethX9!! I don't give a hootnannys a** what kinda gas mileage I get when the average temp is triple digiting around here. The air says ON.

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:53 pm

I wouldn't know, I live in Arizona. My AC is never off!

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

Az here too... not interested in testing that theory :lol:

A/C vs. no A/C Gas Mileage

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