My friend that lives in Hawaii never opens his windows, even if the weather is nice. He says driving with the windows open makes the car drag. Is that true? What is better for your car?
2006-06-22 00:40:50 · 20 answers · asked by christyxy777777 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
actually they played this myth on mythbusters last nite if u dont know mythbusters is a television show that appears on the discovery channel and though it may bea little hard to believe but drivin with the ac on and the windows up SAVES more gas than drivin with the windows down and the air off DRAG really doees burn more gas
2006-06-22 04:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by big zig 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the show ' Myth Busters ' took two identical vehicles and one used no air conditioning and the windows open. and the other with the windows closed and the air on..they found out that the vehicle that had the windows open going at a steady highway speed had much more drag and used more gas to go the same distance..and the vehicle with the windows closed and the air conditioning on doing the same speed as the other vehicle used less gas and the driver was comfortable from the air conditioning.
plus the newer cars are engineered to run more efficiently with the air conditioning on..
and where i live we use the air between 7 - 10 months a year..
it is better for all to be comfortable while driving then to be hot and irritable and not be in total control of yourself from being over heated....
smile
good luck
and
God Bless
2006-06-23 14:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shouldn't it depend on comfort and weather? Why run it if it is not necessary! Unless he is in a NASCAR race, the drag would be minimal...I have heard on several occasions that running the Air-con actually burns more gas thus lowering the MPG. What should really matter is the comfort...If it is not so intolerably hot, why not let the windows down and feel the fresh air! Where I live...an island chain S/W of Hawaii, I rarely get the chance to enjoy weather nice enough to leave the windows down and to give the Air-con a break....by the time 9am rolls around it is hotter than hades and the air is thick with humidity. The best way I describe it is like breathing through a hot wash cloth, lol.
2006-06-22 07:50:41 · answer #3 · answered by C G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have fat friends with super flatulence, then it is better to drive with the windows down. There are many considerations to think about and without knowing all the details, it is impossible to give you a really good answer. On my new car, I like to drive with the windows up because I do not want the wind beating up the interior of the car. On my old truck, I drive with the windows down to save on fuel and enjoy the fresh air.
2006-06-22 08:03:28 · answer #4 · answered by sonny_too_much 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look, air will save you gas millage, however if it cool out side the way cars are today you will not get munch drag. Imean look at race cars they do not have windows, drag really is not a factor anymore. in the 60s and 70s maybe. But even then it might cost 30 cents extra?
2006-06-22 07:52:28 · answer #5 · answered by mike67333 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL... it is probably true. However everyone should stop using air conditioners in the manor in which they do. The main reason why the average temperature per year is going up and the shortage of electricity and energy is mainly due to the emissions of cars and the emissions of chemicals created from air conditioners and refrigerators. So the answer is it is better to drive with your window down and the air conditioning off.
2006-06-22 07:44:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At low speeds, your're better off with the windows open. The extra load on your car's engine from the AC compressor will be greater than any drag created from the air.
But, at highway speeds, you're actually better off with the AC. The drag from the air will be much greater, and can cause more load on your engine to keep speed than running your AC compressor.
2006-06-22 08:11:23 · answer #7 · answered by PoliPino 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Safety is one issue because your better protected with the windows up. In a side impact crash, your head tends to whip lash toward the driver's side window. Having the window half way down or fully open could cause worse injuries. A closed window may make side impact air bags work better.
When your traveling in a bad neighborhood, your better protected from a robber or car jacking with your windows up. Your cabin air filtering works better with your windows up. Your better protected from dirt, dust, bees, construction debris and the like with your windows up. You won't forget to put your windows up and get rain in your car if you never put them down!
2006-06-22 08:51:05 · answer #8 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
reading the rest of the answers, i guess it's a matter of personal preference..
it also depends on where you're driving... i wouldn't want to wind down my windows when the truckie in front is pumping black smoke in my path..neither would u want to drive with your windows down when it's pouring cats and dogs...
I also don't like to drive with the windows down on a highway/motorway because it feels like my car's being dragged backwards.. Also, wouldn't want sand/rock whatever to fly into my car when i'm driving @ such a high speed...
it seriously depends on the road condition, the weather condition, personal preference..
2006-06-22 07:58:10 · answer #9 · answered by mozzieirritated 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the air conditioner uses more gas open the windows and enjoy the fresh air
2006-06-22 07:44:35 · answer #10 · answered by lonelyangellady 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋