A/C and gasoline

[WicKeD_WaYz]

I cant handle this internet wierdo any longer.....

[Target Practice]

I cant handle this internet wierdo any longer.....

Sweet!

So, Automaggot, how was your day?

[AcemanPB]

I've always known the AC leaches HP and gas milage but does anyone have any idea how much?

[nippinout]

Conservation of energy.

Driving with the windows down might or might not outweigh the gas that they are saving for not using the A/C. I'd rather drive in comfort.

[Hotshot33610]

When idling in my car and I turn the AC on, the engine jumps up 500 RPM just to keep up with it. I like having the windows down more anyways, as long as there isnt anthing to blow of them.

[Kevmaster]

yep AC uses gas

windows down also use gas.

either way, your comfort costs you gas.

its worth it to me though

[WickeDKlowN]

Ham Sandwich.




Yes, it uses more gas.

I used to have a teacher that would always try to get people to say Ham Sandwich if they didn't know the answer.

[Miscue]

I'd imagine that at slow speeds, an open window doesn't sap a significant amount of power (and doesn't do much to help cool you down). But as you go faster, drag increases... eventually robbing more HP than an A/C which uses a fairly constant amount of power that doesn't increase as you speed up.

I think your best bet is to make sure your oil and filters are clean, tires inflated properly... and run the A/C.

[trains are bad]

I can't belive how many people can't tell the AC is using engine power. All the time I get in a car, think there is something wrong with, what was that....and the AC is on. And I have a V6

[Linkwarner]

I dont know if anyone saw this, but on Mythbusters they did a test of this, and it turns out to be around the same gas milage between the 2, but I dont worry about it, my car gets 45mpg!!

[MadPSIence]

using A/C actually borrows a few RPM's from the old motor. Hence if you start up with A/C on your idle is higher. I don't think it's enough to really rob you of much gas mileagle except at idle where it can and does on most vehicles pop you up about 2-300 rpm which still is rather insignificant.

windows down.. does change aerodynamics a bit but not enough to cause a huge difference in most vehicles... it depends on the car really and the wind.

that 3 foot F-16 wing you put on the back of your civic is probably doing the most harm to your fuel economy.