No A/C

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   quote:
Originally posted by nice-one

Scott ..you do know that a/c does not burn your gas right??? Earlier this spring I saw a news report that states that if you actually ride with windows the down it takes away from gas. But hey I will get in a back of pickup for a ride.

	It was me who said that and yes it does. The air conditioning unit demands more of the engine. The mechanics of the engine and the ac unit require the engine to work harder, using more gas. 

	Nic

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NO44 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NO44 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 4:02pm
	quote: Originally posted by nice-one Scott ..you do know that a/c does not burn your gas right??? Earlier this spring I saw a news report that states that if you actually ride with windows the down it takes away from gas. But hey I will get in a back of pickup for a ride. It was me who said that and yes it does. The air conditioning unit demands more of the engine. The mechanics of the engine and the ac unit require the engine to work harder, using more gas. Nic

go2grl Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote go2grl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 8:04pm
	quote: Originally posted by NO44 quote: Originally posted by nice-one Scott ..you do know that a/c does not burn your gas right??? Earlier this spring I saw a news report that states that if you actually ride with windows the down it takes away from gas. But hey I will get in a back of pickup for a ride. It was me who said that and yes it does. The air conditioning unit demands more of the engine. The mechanics of the engine and the ac unit require the engine to work harder, using more gas. Each to his own, but I've always wondered if the MPG isn't equally lowered by keeping the windows down, rolling along at 65+mph? My a/c is a bit iffy on really hot days, usually running well until the car is going slowly for more than 5 minutes, which is not uncommon with our traffic, but I let anybody getting into my car know this so they can make the decision to take the ride or not. The slamming the car door the OP did is just rude and not acceptable.

RetiredMarine Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 22 Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote RetiredMarine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 8:09am
	Here is some info from Consumer Reports' auto-test department reports that the air conditioner reduces your car's fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. So to achieve maximum fuel efficiency, motorists should avoid using the air conditioner at speeds below 40 mph and travel with their windows down, explains Gabe Shenhar, senior auto test engineer at Consumer Report's auto-test department. "But as your speed increases to 45 mph, or highway speeds," says Jason Toews, co-founder of GasBuddy.com, "wind drag becomes an issue. Driving with the windows down increases the drag on your vehicle, resulting in decreased fuel economy by up to 10 percent. Drive at speeds over 55 mph with windows down and you'll decrease fuel economy by up to 20 percent or greater."

Pele Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 May 2008 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pele Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 10:05am
	When in doubt, refer to the experts: The Mythbusters! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRt20C6NL-c However there are some errors they've made with the method they used in this experiment. Usually, they use a separate tank that they hook up to the engine so that they can weigh the fuel... There are all sorts of nooks and crannies in a normal fuel tank. There's little baffles to stop the fuel from sloshing around during turns and on rough road (Especially in an SUV.) Also, they usually use the same vehicle for both runs of the experiment. They did not note the condition of the vehicles and they appear to be rentals. Logic would dictate that a well tuned engine would get better fuel economy than one that's beaten to hell, hasn't had the oil or spark plugs changed in god only knows when... ------------------------- Times to beat: Horner Rd to/from Pentagon: 12 mins Without Slugs - 17 mins With slugs Dale City exit to/from 3rd St Tunnel, D.C. 18 mins (No slugs - Holiday)

phillyfan19 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 28 Apr 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote phillyfan19 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 11:05am
	That's incorrect. It's actually more fuel efficient to run the AC. You lose mileage by having the windows down because extra drag is created. quote: Originally posted by NO44 I always run my AC, but that's just me. Let's not forget that it eats away at gas as well and since you aren't paying his gas, you don't really have a say. Slamming doors is so annoying, but thats a WHOOOOOLEEE other thread. Nic

mycroftt Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mycroftt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 1:08pm
	The air conditioner undeniably causes the engine to burn more fuel. The only question is whether the increased aerodynamic drag caused by putting the windows down (when the air conditioner is off) is enough to offset the fuel savings. I suspect that in most cases at highway speeds, the increased drag will overcome the fuel savings resulting in a net loss. The obvious solution is to keep the air conditioner off and keep the windows closed too. Heat is also the enemy of efficiency in internal combustion engines, so you need to keep the engine temperature down to get the greatest fuel efficiency. On the hottest days, the liquid cooling system might benefit from a boost in its ability to take heat away from the engine. You can take heat away from the engine by running the car's heater (which operates by a heat exchanger taking away the engine heat and directing it into the passenger compartment). So, if you want the best fuel efficiency you can wring out of your engine on the hottest days, turn off your air conditioner, roll up your windows, and blast your heater as high as it will go. I'll expect to see your license plates posted under Do Not Ride With _______.

slug_driver Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote slug_driver Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jul 2011 at 10:16pm
	Just like my home, my cars temperature is also set at 72 degrees year round.

siggy14 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote siggy14 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Aug 2011 at 12:02pm
	The other flaw in their test is they assume everyone runs the AC at full blash, which I find does not happen. The difference is big enough that using the AC could be a better choice. quote: Originally posted by Pele When in doubt, refer to the experts: The Mythbusters! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRt20C6NL-c However there are some errors they've made with the method they used in this experiment. Usually, they use a separate tank that they hook up to the engine so that they can weigh the fuel... There are all sorts of nooks and crannies in a normal fuel tank. There's little baffles to stop the fuel from sloshing around during turns and on rough road (Especially in an SUV.) Also, they usually use the same vehicle for both runs of the experiment. They did not note the condition of the vehicles and they appear to be rentals. Logic would dictate that a well tuned engine would get better fuel economy than one that's beaten to hell, hasn't had the oil or spark plugs changed in god only knows when... ------------------------- Times to beat: Horner Rd to/from Pentagon: 12 mins Without Slugs - 17 mins With slugs Dale City exit to/from 3rd St Tunnel, D.C. 18 mins (No slugs - Holiday)