In todays highly aerodynamic Cars, shutting of the Air conditioning and opening the windows will actually use more Gas than keeping the windows shut and running the Air.

In older cars, that were less aerodynamic, and had Air conditioners that used a lot more power the opposite was the case, but with todays cars when you open the windows at speed you create massive drag on otherwise highly aerodynamic vehicles and actually use more gas.

It pays to know these things.

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Charles_Main

"Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."
Thomas Jefferson

"Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition."
Thomas Jefferson

Good to know!

I tested this theory this week. I drove to south bend using air with the windows up and averaged 37 MPG in my Saturn.

Then when I drove home I kept the Air off and opened both front windows, and I averaged 33 MPG.

Seems like a no brainer to me.

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Charles_Main

"Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."
Thomas Jefferson

"Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition."
Thomas Jefferson

For those of us who drive not-so-aerodynamic 4 cylinder trucks with a sliding rear window, running the A/C is still worse. Maybe if I was at the indy oval and someone to draft off of.

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"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

That is true, if your car is not aerodynamic You may use more by running the air, but then would point out, if your truck is newer, the air conditioning does not use nearly as much gas as older models.

I suggest you try what I did. Next time you make a trip, do it both ways and test the millage you get. Then you will know for sure.

I will say that when I am driving truck(semi) over the road. The truck seems to get about 7MPG with or with out the air on. As long as I keep it at about 58 to 60 MPG and use the techniques taught to me by my employer to save fuel.

__________________
Charles_Main

"Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."
Thomas Jefferson

"Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition."
Thomas Jefferson

I like to run the air and open all the windows.

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I have a better idea. Keep the windows up and don't run the air conditioning.

1. Wear a bathing suit (and a change of clothing if necessary)
2. Bring along an ice chest full of ice.

If you get too hot, put your face in the chest. Drink the ice water and put your hands in it.
Basically find other ways to keep cool.

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"Extremes to the right and left of any political dispute are always wrong."
—Dwight D. Eisenhower

I have tried it. It's certainly a point that will work on certain vehicles but I somehow I don't think that put every model vehicle in a wind tunnel. Worth trying tho---what the hell.

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

$11,200.00
1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible For Sale By Owner

Would work for me

Cranking the air, and opening the windows while rolling along at freeway speeds wastes even more gas; aerodynamic car or not.

Can't argue with that. Wouldn't recommend it but I sure can't argue with it.

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

Yeah, well..sometimes you just can't help it...especially with the right CD. You just want to share the music. :P

Trying to pick up dudes on the road again, huh ?

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

Yep. That's me. Pick them up everywhere I go...

Depends on the speed that you are going. There has been studies done, while I am sure it doesn't apply to every vehicle though. I believe if you are going under 35 mph it is cheaper to ride with the windows down. If you are going above 35 mph it is cheaper to turn the A/C on and roll your windows up. Generally speaking though I am sure....

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Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.
Will Rogers

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel or envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.

Winston Churchill

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

JFK

No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain