Does blasting the a/c in my car really burn more gas?

[all the whey]

 

[digimon7068]

Just curious because im tired of paying 100.00 to fill my truck up id rather sweat

compared to the drag caused by having your windows down?? no.

 

[captainahole]

I did a test in my car with it. I ran without it and ran with it. My computer in the car tells me fuel comsumption as it's being used. I found that it cost me one extra liter/quart per 100k's/60 miles. So yup it does.

 

[digimon7068]

I did a test in my car with it. I ran without it and ran with it. My computer in the car tells me fuel comsumption as it's being used. I found that it cost me one extra liter/quart per 100k's/60 miles. So yup it does.

did you compare it to riding around with your windows down. . .like you would do. . .during the summer. . .when it's hotter than balls??

of course no a/c and windows UP will give you better gas mileage. . .so will taking the belt off your power steering pump and using your armstrong steering instead. . .

 

[captainahole]

did you compare it to riding around with your windows down. . .like you would do. . .during the summer. . .when it's hotter than balls??

of course no a/c and windows UP will give you better gas mileage. . .so will taking the belt off your power steering pump and using your armstrong steering instead. . .

Yeah I did but it still didn't show a noticable difference as it did with the air on

 

[calveless wonder]

At in-town speeds, the AC will eat gas. On the highway there's potential for the open windows to creat an adverse aerodynamic condition that would be worse.

BUT, my car has a MPG meter on its nag screen, and even at 70 on the crosstown expressway I'm better off with the AC off and a window open.

right

that's how i know AC burns more gas. MPG/miles left changes a bit faster

 

[Mr. dB]

AC seems to take the biggest hit on economy when I'm accellerating. If I turn the AC off until I'm up to cruising speed, it seems to make less of a difference when I turn it on, but if I start my journey from home with the AC on the whole way, my trip average economy will be quite poor.

For example, on my 5 mile commute to work every day, under the best conditions (i.e. I hit green lights all the way, which is do-able), I can get over 30 MPG. That's on surface streets without using the crosstown Interstate expressway. I try to average 40-45 MPH. There's a lot of elevation change, but my home is at a higher elevation than work, so on average the trip is downhill. If I leave home with the AC on, about the best I can do is 22-23 MPG. If I do the first mile or so with the AC off and then turn it on after I've climbed the highest hill and am on the descent, it'll be more like 26-28 MPG.

I cannot match those numbers taking the same route home from work.

I'd have a lot more fun in my car if it didn't have the nag screen. I'd probably punch it a lot harder and get into the turbo boost more. Ignorance is bliss.

It's not worth it to take the Interstate cross-town expressway, even though it takes me straight to work, because the journey isn't long enough to average out the fuel lost by accellerating up to highway speed, just to exit off three miles later. I fare better taking the surface route.

 

[rnch]

with the heat and humidity new orleans endures this time of the year (the LOW night time temps and humidity levels are both in the low 80's), no a/c is NOT an option for me.

to arrive at a destination without my shirt stuck to me, soaked into 3 different colors, to not smell like a farm animal....i'll pay the price of a couple extra gallons of gas per week.

 

[nefertiti]

depends on the car...When I drove my parents SUV, I barely noticed a difference. In my car now...it's minimal, but I notice it. I'm with rg, though. I have black interior and would roast without AC in the summer. Fug that.

 

[scmack33]

yes