Air conditioning in cars

[Villainaire]

My buddy refuses to use his AC in his car when it's hot. He just rolls all the windows down. It doesn't bother me as much as it does other people who ride in his car, but another friend of mine said that he saw an experiment on MYTHBUSTERS that proved that using AC while driving uses none/very little gas.

Is this true?

[z28dreams]

Ya, that mythbusters proved it, but they were also constantly driving in circles with the windows open which produced way more drag (normally cars will go in a straight line).

Another thing to consider:

If you do run the AC, don't be afraid to crank the fan up full blast. The compressor probably accounts for 8-10hp, while the fan itself is only maybe 1 hp.

[Claunchy]

It does lower your gas mileage a little, but definitely not enough to merit being all sweaty and gross every time you arrive anywhere.

[DCopper04]

Cars aren't really a huge myth in our society, I don't know why Mythbusters would be needed on this topic.

Roll down the windows when driving at low speeds. This undeniably saves gas.

Use the AC when driving at high speeds. Having the windows open at high speeds causes drag, and you will lose more gas from wind resistance than you will from using the AC.

[traz]

I like windows more, unless i'm in a hot clammy climate

[Kneel B4 Zod]

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I don't know why Mythbusters would be needed on this topic.

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Having the windows open at high speeds causes drag, and you will lose more gas from wind resistance than you will from using the AC.

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please post your equation for my 95 Camry ktxbye

[dblgutshot]

WTF, you guys are idiots. did you even watch that episode? Their opinion was the myth was busted, not proved.

[DCopper04]

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please post your equation for my 95 Camry ktxbye

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No.

[z28dreams]

Drag resistance increased at a cubed rate relative to speed if I remember correctly.

[gusmahler]

What's always bothered me about open windows is that it hurts my ears. The combination of the wind noise and the wind physically hurts me. Odd because music at higher than recommended levels doesn't hurt me at all (not immediately, at least).