What saves more gas, A/C or windows down?

Question

any other tips?

Answer 1

well here it is a/c actualy is better, because when ur windows r ldown it is like having a parrushoot open causing more drag on the vehicle, and that serp. belt is always turning anyway it does not add any more work for your a/c to be on

Answer 2

The A/C creates labor on the engine and steals horsepower. It also releases the heat via the condensor coil which is in front of the radiator and this heat makes the engine run warmer/hotter.

Most cars have a "thing" that boosts the engine idle when the A/C is turned on to counteract the labor on the engine so the engine doesn't stall at idle. The A/C clutch is engaged electrically so this puts some strain on the alternator.

Windows down is still the best money saver. If they ever integrate the electric "modules" technology and eliminate conventional A/C then the day might come where windows up is the way to drive.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

It is dependent on what kind of traffic situation you're in. When you are going less then forty mph or so, roll down the windows. The same applies for stop and go traffic; keep the AC off and the windows down.

When you are on the freeway/highway, going over forty or so, roll up the windows and turn on the AC if need be. The reason this is more fuel-efficient is because windows that are lowered create far more drag at high speeds, making it impractical (fuel-wise) to have the windows lowered.

Another tip is to take of the top luggage rack which is on some cars. I have heard that taking it off improves gas mileage by around two or three MPG. This is also because of drag and wind resistance.

Answer 4

They recently answered this question on NPR's "Car Talk" show. Here's what the experts said:
They said that it was more gas efficient to run the AC than it is to ride with the windows open, though one of the guys said that sometimes, just for a great treat, he opens the windows AND runs the air conditioning. It's not smart, he said, but it feels great.
"Car Talk" is a great program to listen to because it's entertaining as well as informative. I am no car expert, but I'm smarter than I was about them and I'd listen to the program even if I didn't care to learn about cars. The brothers are really that entertaining.

Another tip for getting better mileage that they offered was to slow down. Cars that drive really fast use more gas because of the resistance the air puts to them than cars that are driven at a more moderate speed.

Answer 5

I think it was on Mythbusters a while back that the A/C didn't show to use any more gas that when you don't use it. It's friggin hot out there. Roll em up and crank the cool breeze.
Plus, having the windows down causes alot more drag. The added wind resistance makes the car have to work harder to go the same speed.

Another tip: When excellerating take it at an easy pace. Reving up the engine in excess uses more than you need. Also try going the speed limit when you're not in a hurry.

Answer 6

AC with the windows up saves more gas. Cars are aerodynamically designed with the windows up. this creates a smooth slicing effect though the air. With the windows down, you create more drag on the car and this decreases fuel economy.

Answer 7

Windows down if driving below 30-35 mph, since there isn't enough air flow in the window to really drag on the car. From about 35 mph up, windows up and the A/C on is most efficient, since aerodynamics plays a much larger role at highway speeds, and the car is more aerodynamic is the windows aren't letting the air in like a parachute.

PS: Mythbusters tested this one a few years ago. Infortunately, they tested it using a couple of large SUVs (not aerodynamic like a car), and only up to 45 mph, so aerodynamics weren't an influence in the test, anyway. In a modern car, its a different story.

Answer 8

I'm not sure, but here are some tips I've found:

Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline.

Don't top off. Additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use?

Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council.

Pump up your tires. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car's gas mileage.

Keep your engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent

Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon.

Answer 9

windows down saves gas

Answer 10

It depends on the SPEED your traveling. For low speeds, windows down is good. But for freeway speeds, A/C is the best choice, since the windows down creats drag on your car and will burn more gas since the engine works harder to maintain the desired speed. BUT strangely some tests have shown that there is not a big differnce in some cars. DO YOUR OWN TEST. FILL UP AND SEE HOW MANY MILES YOU GET ON A FULL TANK OF WINDOW DOWN VS. A/C.

Answer 11

According to an article in Consumer's Reports. Driving with the windows down uses more energy than you AC (which is about a 1 MPG hit)