2007-06-19 02:48:26 · 9 answers · asked by Babygirl 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
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.
What they found was no significant difference in fuel economy in either sedan or SUV under either condition.
2007-06-19 02:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by Jody D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it will use more gas to operate the a/c. The older the vehicle, the more it will use. Today's a/c units operate more efficiently than they did a few years ago. So generally, the older the car, the more gas it burns to run the a/c. Sometimes, it just feels better to crack a window for some fresh air rather than use the a/c, but that doesn't happen very often in Arkansas. Also keep in mind, almost all vehicles are wired for the a/c to run when using the defroster, even in the winter time. That helps to dehumidify the air in the car. Remember to turn off the defroster when it's not needed.
2007-06-19 03:08:33 · answer #2 · answered by bigrick45 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, running the AC will cause a noticeable drop in fuel enconomy. Probably not enough to make it worth being hot and miserable, though.
2007-06-19 02:54:51 · answer #3 · answered by Ferret 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes BUT AC cost 1200 to 1500 to put in car... MY truck gets 23 without and 21 with it on....i dont care is it cost a dollar or two to use it...
2007-06-19 02:51:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure it does. Turning the compressor takes energy, and the engine uses gas to make energy, instead of turning the driving wheels of your car, that energy is used to turn the wheel on your compressor.
2007-06-19 02:53:07 · answer #5 · answered by Fordman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does. Specially while at idle. Although at highway speeds, It will save gas compared to having your windows open and the a/c off.
2007-06-19 03:12:07 · answer #6 · answered by Wrenchmeister 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it takes a lot of energy to run the AC, heat, radio, etc. It uses gas and sucks up the battery juice to run.
2007-06-19 02:54:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
the a/c itself does not use "gas", but you do have to rev the engine harder when the a/c is running...so your engine uses more gas, not your a/c
2007-06-19 04:47:27 · answer #8 · answered by goosecrossing 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it slowly brings it down while driving. You can probably get a couple mpg's better if you dont use it.
2007-06-19 02:57:51 · answer #9 · answered by John Z 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋