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Some of us like to use the AC, others prefer Windows.
My question.. does anyone know how much % of fuel is being wasted using the AC or Windows?

I can't remember clearly, but i think it was 10% if using AC... hm.. refresh me.

 
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i'm not sure but 10% is not that much on our cars. only losing about 3 mpg. we could afford to lose that with our 32mpg cars. but ya i turn it on when it gets over 95 or when i'm on the freeway(dont like 100mph wind blowin in my face)

 
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I usually get ~33.6mpg in normal driving w/o the a/c on. Now, that it has gotten pretty hot I use the a/c pretty frequently and my mileage has dropped to ~31mph. Still nothing to shake your finger at.

 
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3mpg difference.. ic. Thank you.

 
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last thursday i had my ac all the way up and was gunning it and i lost half a tank fast

 
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Well, you can also think about it this way...

Your mileage goes down if you use AC, I agree.

But if you drive on the highway with your windows open, you will get lower mileage too, since your open windows will be a bigger aerodynamic drag on your car. Not to mention, the AC feels a lot better than open windows during scorching summer temperatures.

 
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Yeah, I've thought of that, too...

Let's say i'm driving 60mph on the freeway...
Which one would waste less fuel?
AC Fan in Low Speed
or AC Fan in Max Speed?

Hmmm.. If the AC fan is at maximum speed, wouldn't it create less drag then the low speed??

 
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Woah we're thinking way into this.... but I do know that the A/C is on the same whether or not you have it set for low or high. The unit that produces the cold air is either on or off, no in-between. It's kind of easy to hear it click on and off, the headlights dim for a second when it turns on as well. You waste more fuel when the car is idling and the air is on, but the waste of fuel is more insignificant when driving. If driving at 55 or more, it is cheaper to have the air on than the drag caused by windows open.

Hope this helps

-andrew

 
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Weird..I've had my AC on alot the last 2 fill ups and my mileage has actually gone up ~1.5mpg [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

Anyways, I only open up my windows/moon roof in the city. Once I get on the highway, its all AC for me. I cant stand how loud it gets with the windows open.

-Kre

 
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I use the moonroof as my AC, I never got it because its not too hot here most of the time and I figured it just another thing under my hood to take up space and go wrong. So I use the good old 2/60 AC......... 2 windows down, 60 mph .......

 
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A/C is for wimps jk. For some reason my fan is pretty cold already without the AC.

 
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I didn't use the A/C much during the winter months, but it is getting pretty hot here in southwest Florida now so I have been turning it on more often. I always use it on the interstate. too dang noisey to have the windows down going 80 mph.

 
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I run the A/C all the time in the summer months of Florida, believe me it doesn't effect milage very much. A/C compressors have evolved so much in the last 6 years that the amount of "drag" a compressor puts on a engine is way less than half of what it used to be a few years ago. I average 35mpg with or without the A/C on.