Apparently there was an episode of Myth Busters where they either busted or proved it, but I missed it, and it doesent seem to be available online for my viewing pleasure. Can someone who saw it give me a summary?
2006-08-25 03:06:13 · 16 answers · asked by ? 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
yes, on that episode they tested two vehicles of the same make, one had the air conditioner on and the other had all the windows open. The air conditioner requires fuel to work the motor, so thus taking more fuel. Teh windows cause drag thus consuming more fuel.
On myth Busters they noticed that at slower speeds, the air conditioner used more fuel, but at certain speeds, the windows caused more fuel consumption, there is this kind of threshold, once you pass a certain speed, the drag is more than the motorized fuel consumption.
2006-08-25 03:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I saw the episode, the original and the revisited episode. There is a cross-over point (50mph) where the advantage switches. Below 50, the AC uses more fuel than the aero-dynamic drag created by open windows, so driving around town open your windows. Above 50, the drag created by aero-dynamic efficiency becomes greater than the AC load on the system, so cruising down the highway close your windows and run the AC.
2006-08-25 03:13:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did not see the programme but AC uses quite a lot of power and therefore means the alternator must work harder placing a heavier load on the engine.
A simple demonstration is easy to accomplish. Start the car and let it idle a minute and listen to the revs. Switch on the AC and the revs will drop. Switch it off and they will pick up again. Anything that uses electricity has this effect particularly fans and motors.
2006-08-25 03:18:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well i haven't seen that episode but yes, running the air conditioner does use up fuel. This is because the engine must work alot harder. If you're on idol it doesn't use up fuel but it does when you accelerate. I know this because as soon as I turn my air conditioner on, the engine sounds abit weaker and accelerating takes longer.
2006-08-25 03:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't see it but it does use fuel.
If you want some A/C without using fuel, you have to set your air source to fresh air (not recirculated) and turn the cooling agent and fan off. You may then feel a natural trickle of air which essentially uses no gas.
2006-08-25 03:13:09 · answer #5 · answered by Alex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't see the mythbusters episode but logic dictates that
it takes fuel to provide the power to run the air conditioner compressor....
2006-08-25 03:10:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.....I once had an old car which had the AC run by a separate belt. I removed the belt. My gas mileage almost doubled.
2006-08-25 03:13:02 · answer #7 · answered by GreenHornet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My car uses twice the gas to run the air. I have experimented with this on my own. You don't need a TV to run your own science experiment. Go drive your car to the gas station and back with the air on. Then do it again with the windows open.
2006-08-25 03:12:01 · answer #8 · answered by gilgamesh 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely!
2006-08-25 03:12:38 · answer #9 · answered by Haley S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surprisingly.. yes.........that is why I try to use it less when on longer trips and roll down the window a little in order to get better gas mileage
2006-08-25 03:11:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋