which is worse for gas mileage: driving with your windows open or driving with air conditioning on full blast?

Answer 1

I love this question! Using the a/c, on recirculate uses less gas. Aerodynamics only come into play above 80mph, but the drag of the air going into the windows is still going to affect the effort your engine has to put out to move forward. (Think of when you were a kid and put your arm/hand out the window, if you keep it horizontal there is less drag than if you stand your hand up vertically)

Using max a/c when you do not have the option of recirculate on your a/c is best. Max typically makes it recirculate if there isn't a seperate switch. The reason you want to recirculate the air is because the car is not work as hard to cool the recirclated air, since it already cooled.

Some cars even have an A/C compressor that is running all the time (sort of, a clutch on the compressor engages and disengages when the A/C is turnd one), so windows up or down wouldn't matter, but since its running you might as well be comfortable and use the A/C!

Happy driving.

Answer 2

As I understand it, if you're driving at a moderate or fast pace (on the freeway, for instance), you're better off with the windows up and the air conditioning on, because opening the windows causes so much drag that it ruins your gas mileage.

If you're driving slow in stop & go traffic, on the other hand, it's better to roll down the windows.

The dividing line seems to be about 40 mph. If you're going 40 or under, roll down the windows. If you're going 45 or faster, roll up the windows and turn on the air conditioning.

Answer 3

Windows open. The A/C system only affects mileage because it weighs so much. If the car came equipped with factory A/C, though, it won't make much of a difference at all to have it on or off. A fully charged or discharged A/C system could make a difference, if only a small one.

The thing that makes cars less aerodynamic is having the windows open. All major auto manufacturers and aerodynamics engineers agree on that point! :)

Answer 4

Most well trained a/c techs will tell you that driving with your windows up and a/c on at a level of comfort will create less h/p loss and thus less energy loss than than the drag created by rolling down all the windows in your car. All aerodynamic tests are performed with the windows up and putting them down disturbs the flow of air over the car body.

Answer 5

Air Conditioning - The results may be mixed. A/C increases drag on the engine, and tends to lower milage. When traveling on the highway, this drag may or may not be less than the wind drag from open windows.

Answer 6

truly the main suitable way is tocontinual with the domicile windows up and AC off, that could get particularly warm. Doing one or the different can not make lots of a difference besides, its unlike majically you will need $20 extra money from saving gas

Answer 7

driving with ac on full blast is worse for gas mileage. using your ac causes the engine to work harder and use more gas.

Answer 8

your windows open will not effect your gas milage, and most air conditioners run off the extra ELECTRICITY that your car allready makes when driveing down the road, the same stuff it uses to recharge the batter in the car, not gas

Answer 9

A/C puts a physical load on your engine. The windows only minimally change your car's aerodynamics at freeway speeds and affect mpg only slightly.

Answer 10

It makes only a slight difference unless you drive an SUV. If you have a more fuel-efficient car to begin with, it's not worth sweating over.