2007-05-23 04:19:55 · 12 answers · asked by masswhole84 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It does. ~
If you want to know how much, drive one gastank full, with and one without A/C.
Then compare.
2007-05-23 04:27:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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. So yes it can affect your gas mileage.
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 unlike a house, your car is moving, 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.
2007-05-23 04:26:44 · answer #2 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In almost all cars it does affect your gas mileage. Typically in the back of the owners manual you will find a chart which will show you how to get the best fuel mileage for your car, i.e. no A/C , windows up, speed not to exceed 55, RPM less than 2000, etc.
2007-05-23 04:23:12 · answer #3 · answered by Yes I am here!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes but not by much... windows down compared to A/C on is almost identical in milage, so, best thing to do is keep windows up and a/c off and sweat your buns off...lol.. j/k.. but it is true, that is the best mileage... so, yeah, crank the air!
2007-05-23 04:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Aaron M. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does affect your gas mileage but by very very little so it be better to have the a/c on.
2007-05-23 04:30:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they did a test on t.v.
two ford explorers against each other and two chevy silvarados against each other on a circle track at a constant 50 miles an hour.
one car had windows up and air on and one car had windows up with no air on. the car with no air on got only one full mile further than the car with air on. and the chevy truck with the air turned of made it 1 and a half miles further than the chevy truck with the air on.
so yes but not by much.
2007-05-23 04:25:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yep...can hurt gas mileage...but not by much...maybe 1 or 2 MPG on average...i think the mythbusters did a show on this...might want to check that out...roll your windows down and get slightly better mileage...again not by much, so it may not be worth sweating to death just to save a buck or 2...
2007-05-23 04:23:45 · answer #7 · answered by goosecrossing 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it does! When you turn your ac on it makes your engine work harder because it has to pull the ac compressor.
2007-05-23 04:31:56 · answer #8 · answered by tow916 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes .your engine needs extra energy to run the compressor.more energy means more fuel
2007-05-23 04:25:17 · answer #9 · answered by icyd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it does. Mainly because it uses more energy.
2007-05-23 04:25:44 · answer #10 · answered by Sweetie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋