I was driving across the country during the summer, so I needed to cool the interior somehow. Rolling down the windows causes a loss in fuel efficiency due to increased drag, but turning on the AC also consumes fuel.
Which is the more fuel efficient way to cool my car?
Thanks!
2006-09-27 09:13:28 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Depends on the speed. If you are at or close to highway speeds it is more efficient to ride withe windows up and with air-conditioning. if you are going slow then the windows are more efficient.
2006-09-27 09:17:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Good question.
If you want to run your car cool in summer then you must spend an extra fuel which obviously the car designer would have considered which does have a specific fuel consumption.
On the other hand if you dont want cooling and roll down your windows even then the design facilitate to handle & overome the drag for which also there will be specific fuel consumption.
The later one would be giving you more fuel efficient driving than the former one. But you want to run it fuel efficient and at the same time cool then the choose the former one.
2006-09-27 19:56:30 · answer #2 · answered by Mechie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say rolling down the windows does cause drag but saves the use of the ac. You will probably find that with gas prices the way they are nowadays that walking is the MOST fuel efficient. lol
But yeah...I have found that not using ac in summer is probably the most efficient.
2006-09-27 09:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by michelle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Air conditioner. Check out Mythbusters on the discovery channel. They may have a web page, but they showed that AC is more economical. They also did a thing about whether or not it is more economical to put down the tailgate on a truck or leave it up. Turns out, leaving it up is more economical because it helps create an air pocket that aides in minimizing resistance.
2006-09-27 09:18:41 · answer #4 · answered by ohmneo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
John Stossel of 20/20 says it's more fuel efficient to roll down your windows, whatever your speed.
2006-09-27 09:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My understanding is the same as Bob's above. On the highway, the A/C is better. At slower speeds, roll down the windows.
2006-09-27 09:21:35 · answer #6 · answered by lmnop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just drive naked with the windows up and the fan on. If it gets too hot hit the a/c button.
2006-09-27 09:58:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Mythbusters did a thing on this and they found no difference, but they were not particularly accurate in their method. The A/C can be pretty efficient.
2006-09-27 09:17:18 · answer #8 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Use the air conditioner. The windows create a large amount of turbulence, and that eats gasoline.
2006-09-27 09:16:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Turn on your AC and put down your windows...
2006-09-27 09:21:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋