Windows down or ac?
Windows down or ac? My old man and I have had this battle ever since I was able to drive. The argument was between which got better gas mileage; having the windows down, or having the ac cranked. I'm no mythbuster so I have no idea which is the most cost effective cooling method.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 263
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From: Arlington, VA
Originally Posted by Scotty562
My old man and I have had this battle ever since I was able to drive. The argument was between which got better gas mileage; having the windows down, or having the ac cranked. I'm no mythbuster so I have no idea which is the most cost effective cooling method.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
For me it not a gas milage matter, I roll with the windows down so I can listen to the sound of my engine. Now if it is a highway trip i will roll the windows up and kick on the ac if its hot enough otherwise i crack em a bit in the fall or spring. But i do believe it does create drag on the vehicle when the windows are down at highway speeds. So my guess would be on the highway with ac on. Around town windows down. JMHO
I don't really notice a difference either way, but when it's like 90 and above the A/C is a blessing. These leather seats get pretty damn hot and my back sweats quite badly if theres no a/c
I also sometimes burn my legs
I also sometimes burn my legs I'm always windows down unless the old lady is in the car. They we have to turn the A/C on, "cause it's just too hot." Even on the hottest days, I rarely use the A/C. Only if I'm going somewhere dressed up and don't want a sweaty back or soggy *** will I turn it on. But even then I still end up with a mild sweaty back/soggy britches due to the leather. 
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Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 86
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Windows uses less fuel than most A/C systems, they proved it on Mythbusters. The Explorer going around the track with the A/C on ran out of fuel before the Explorer with the windows down did.
Think about it this way - do you notice any power difference with the windows down compared to having the windows up?? Now how about A/C on compared to A/C off?? There's your answer. More power loss means more energy being taken from the engine, which means more fuel being used.
I always have the windows down, unless its extremely hot/humid.
Think about it this way - do you notice any power difference with the windows down compared to having the windows up?? Now how about A/C on compared to A/C off?? There's your answer. More power loss means more energy being taken from the engine, which means more fuel being used.
I always have the windows down, unless its extremely hot/humid.
None of the above 
Last summer when I still had my LT1 I was traveling to Bowling Green, KY for a dyno day. It was in august and had to be the hottest day of the year. My a/c was out. So like normal, I decide to use my ole' windows. Just so happened that my driver side pw motor decided to go out halfway thru the trip. Oh yeah, and the passenger side was already out
Needless to say, I HONESTLY thought I was going to die
As for the mileage, I'd say windows down gets better than with the a/c on.
Last summer when I still had my LT1 I was traveling to Bowling Green, KY for a dyno day. It was in august and had to be the hottest day of the year. My a/c was out. So like normal, I decide to use my ole' windows. Just so happened that my driver side pw motor decided to go out halfway thru the trip. Oh yeah, and the passenger side was already out
Needless to say, I HONESTLY thought I was going to die
As for the mileage, I'd say windows down gets better than with the a/c on.
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From: The dirty taint of the country. ...Los Angeles
Originally Posted by ebear
I ALWAYS go windows... unless its raining.. just because i like the wind 
LOL,.. I used to drive a 68 firebird before I bought the 2000 WS6 and it had no AC. Sucked in the middle of summer in dead stop traffic but I loved it at the same time.
My dad once said that I had what was called a "4 by 60 AC". I asked him WTF that meant and he replied with "4 windows rolled down at 60 MPH AC"! I just shook my head and laughed.
september 7th.
[B]http://www.myspace.com/auraracernight
i've only used my AC for 2 days since i've had it, and i got it back in late march. the only reason i used it was cause i had windows tinted so i couldn't roll the windows down but as for others riding with me... they just have to deal. i figure.... if ur hot... ur not driving fast enough 
but as for others riding with me... they just have to deal. i figure.... if ur hot... ur not driving fast enough 
Originally Posted by ebear
I saw on mythbusters.. that at cruising speeds 60+ using cruise control.. using windows is LESS efficent.. but ... From what I've heard from people.. they say the opposite.. however.. for normal driving around town.. windows are more fuel efficent!
Ether way, god gave you t-tops for a reason... Use'em! Plus that alows you to remove your A/C and lose some front end weight/clean up your engine bay.
Originally Posted by ebear
I saw on mythbusters.. that at cruising speeds 60+ using cruise control.. using windows is LESS efficent.. but ... From what I've heard from people.. they say the opposite.. however.. for normal driving around town.. windows are more fuel efficent!