[nancieisawesome]

okay so ive been pulling my windows down every time i drive because its like really hot in cali. im afraid to turn on the a/c because it wastes gas.

today my friend told me that pulling down your windows actually wastes more gas because wind/air enters the car which makes it slower for the car to move which requires more gas to move the car foward... or something like that

so i was like what?!? you know cause if thats the case then i should be enjoying my a/c

anyways, just wanna make sure, is this all made up or is it acutally true?

[conheomap2003]

It depends on your speed. When you are driving 40 mph or less, it is more efficient to drive with your windows down and ac off.
However, when you are driving on the highway/with high speed the wind drag would increase if you have your windows down. Hence, it is more efficient to use your A/C.

[terrorist]

well if you decide to put the windows down. i guess you can slightly put it down. then it wouldn't be much of a problem.

[ilikesnoopy2]

in general its better to use a/c on highways, who wants the wind blowing in their face all day anyway ?

[nancieisawesome]

It depends on your speed. When you are driving 40 mph or less, it is more efficient to drive with your windows down and ac off.
However, when you are driving on the highway/with high speed the wind drag would increase if you have your windows down. Hence, it is more efficient to use your A/C.

hmm makes sense
i hardly ever drive on the freeway
okay so i usually drive 40-50mph on the streets
windows down or should i turn on the ac?

[charat]

lol i smell mythbusters... in the show, the AC proved to be more gas efficient at any speed. i think they tested at 25,40, and 65. yeah... anyways, i dont care about the gas... i just like to be comfortable and happy. after all, agressive and angry drivers use up the most gas in any situation. =]

[ChingGoo]

LOL i remember that myth buster episode! i think the result was at 45mpg its more fuel efficient to use a/c.

[[K]Jae]

Whenever I turn the window down with my parents in the car, my dad yells at me and tells me to turn it back up and turn on the a/c. I tell him it saves gas but he doesn't listen.

[nancieisawesome]

lol i smell mythbusters... in the show, the AC proved to be more gas efficient at any speed. i think they tested at 25,40, and 65. yeah... anyways, i dont care about the gas... i just like to be comfortable and happy. after all, agressive and angry drivers use up the most gas in any situation. =]

if they proved it i'll believe em
psssttt all this time ive been pulling my windows down and dealing with messy hair in my face...

[Clix]

Here's my opinion.

I've recently got my AC fixed. I used to drive everywhere windows down, except highways. 28mpg.
AC on all the time, windows up, 28mpg.
Same conditions, no difference.

So, I drive with the AC on.

[rick_chee]

it's true. well, i guess it just depends on the car, but overall driving with the a/c on doesn't make much difference. i'm a mechanic & i get this question all the time >.<

[OMGHIyori2U]

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/08q4/...eptions-feature

[herovueboi]

Since the RSX-S was the first car of mines that had working A/C, I blast it all day long. I still get the same MPG so I feel it doesn't even really matter to me. Just got the winddow rolled down when I first get into the car because its well too hot then goes the A/C. I just never full blast my A/C in the car unless I have guest, nobody I know really likes the wind in their face all that much.

[Boomx2Brian]

I read this in the car section of the newspaper. When you use the A/c ur mileage drops by about 1mpg, but when u roll down the window you have wind resistance that slows you down as well. In short, you are better off turning the A/C on. Your not really savign any money by not using it. Tho I suppose u could turn off the A/C and leave the windows up, but thats kinda taking it too far.

[lateapex]

lol i smell mythbusters... in the show, the AC proved to be more gas efficient at any speed. i think they tested at 25,40, and 65. yeah... anyways, i dont care about the gas... i just like to be comfortable and happy. after all, agressive and angry drivers use up the most gas in any situation. =]

Ha...first thing I thought of when I saw this thread

[Gofishus]

<br />in general its better to use a/c on highways, who wants the wind blowing in their face all day anyway ?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Wind noise especially. I can't hear my CD at high speeds so I have to roll up the windows.

[G4nismo]

i drive half naked with all the windows down, AC cranked all the way, radio all the way up, and pretend i'm talkin on the phone, all at the same time cause dats how i roll...

[TimmyYayo]

who needs a/c, just bring the old fasioned asian fans lol. but this is some usefull info. i did'nt know either

[ajlee613]

when you are driving local roads and its not windy, you can leave the windows down.

when you are driving in windy conditions or on the freeway, use the AC.

heavy winds or high speeds make the wind push against ur back window thus holding your car back, this means you use up more power to go at the same speed aka waste gas.

it all depends on how fast ur going in the end.

go fast = AC
go slow = window

[charat]

if they proved it i'll believe em
psssttt all this time ive been pulling my windows down and dealing with messy hair in my face...

oh and they tested it with FULL A/C, not just one or two notches up... so yeah... i only turn mine up to half way at most... lol