2007-05-13 10:33:16 · 4 answers · asked by spooky 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Is this a serious question?
Ever notice that if you use your A/C at home your electricity bill goes up? If you live in California, your electricty bill can easily triple if you use the A/C.
The A/C's compressor adds a load to the engine, so in order to support the additional load on the engine it uses more gasoline.
When your A/C is off, the compressor's clutch is released, so no real load is added. When you turn on the A/C the clutch engages the compressor and is used to compress gases. To do this it requires energy. The energy comes from additional gasoline being burned by the engine.
However remember, in a car, when you are moving, there is something called drag. Drag forces are directly proportional to the square of your velocity. Basically meaning the faster you go, the stronger the force gets that is resisting your motion forward.
Opening your windows creates increase the drag forces by changing what is know as the coefficient of friction.
Many tests have been run, and most conclusions are similar. Driving less than 45MPH you will typically save more gas with your windows down. Driving faster than 45MPH, you will save gas by using your A/C over opening the windows.
Of course your best options is to keep the windows rolled up and not turn on the A/C, but as the summer months get warmer and warmer this option doesn't seem to be an option.
2007-05-13 10:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You get better gas mileage with the ac on and the windows up then you do with the ac off and the windows down.....that's according to AAA at least.
2007-05-13 10:47:30 · answer #2 · answered by vach1974 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no expert but I believe it's because the AC is driven by the engine....just like the wheels, so it uses more gas as it's 1 extra componant to have to run.
2007-05-13 10:37:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
they dont...20 years ago AC was very inefficent and used 2 to 3 MPG...now with better ac and streamlined cars ..u use more gas with windows down then with ac on...u pay over 1000 dollars for AC for pennies u can run it....be cool u
can look it up in consumer reports to the dopes who dont believe it.
2007-05-13 10:39:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋