its summer I thought you guys should know you can turn your A/C up full blast...it doesnt make you run out of gas any quicker people..
its a myth..
Windows, air conditioning - who cares?
There's the old saw that leaving your windows rolled down creates an aerodynamic drag on your car, cutting down on fuel efficiency. And there's the notion that the fastest way to drain your gas tank is by running your air conditioning.
Don't believe either one.
In two separate studies conducted in 2005, the automotive Web site Edmunds.com and Consumer Reports compared the fuel economy of both a sedan and an SUV at highway speeds with and without air conditioning and how open windows affected gas usage.
2007-05-16 10:47:38 · 9 answers · asked by spink_is_not_dead 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I wouldnt care if it guzzled all my gas it would still run the a/c
2007-05-16 11:01:31 · answer #1 · answered by Gregg B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Turn on your car air conditioner in your driveway hook up a tachometer and tell me how you make out.
Your theory doesn't make it at all. Every accessory in your car causes a drag on your alternator, lights blower motors, radio amps and wipers. Then pile on the big old air conditioner.
Have you ever done this yourself with a volt meter and tachometer hooked up on a little four banger Toyota with the standard 100 amp alternator? The darn alternator belt will squeal on a brand new car. Consumers reports is wrong once again.
2007-05-16 11:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tests are notoriously biased these days. Try this, listen to your engine idle speed as you turn on your A/C compressor. It will decrease till the sensor corrects it. That means your engine is working harder to run. And it runs on fuel. I'm not convinced by your new-found facts.
2007-05-16 11:04:09 · answer #3 · answered by Concerned 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You lose about 1/3 of the motors power, and it's easier to overheat the motor. If you always have a crappy car, like I do, overheating is a concern.
2007-05-16 10:55:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have conducted studies of my own and in MY car, the ac drains the gas somewhat ridiculously.
2007-05-16 10:58:31 · answer #5 · answered by kyeann 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was true in the 70's, but much less so with today's cars.
2007-05-16 10:52:11 · answer #6 · answered by Pancakes 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a little knowledge is a dangerous thing... remember, not all vehicles operate within the same test parameters...
2007-05-16 10:52:59 · answer #7 · answered by michael 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-05-16 10:50:33 · answer #8 · answered by Always Right 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you saw that on mythbusters
2007-05-16 10:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by rte6620012001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋