Do You Lose Gas Mileage By Keeping Your Windows Open While Driving?

Question

Always useful to know all you can about saving gas year round.

Answer 1

Up to 45 mph, the windows save you more gas than AC. Past 45 mph, the AC is more efficient.

Answer 2

I am with vicinic in that while it will cost you some mileage it will be low. If you are driving slowly in the city with the windows open the loss will be negligible, possibly not noticeable, because at slow speeds losses by aerodynamic drag are not as apparent. It will be noticeable on the highway, It also depends how your card is shaped. Cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda insight are really shaped to keep drag forces down. Open a window (or attach a roof or bike rack) and you will see a significant loss especially on the freeway.

Answer 3

Yes but it will also make U deaf.

Answer 4

Yes, you do. Roll up your windows whenever possible. If you're driving at 55 miles per hour, the drag from open windows can reduce your mileage by 10%. Studies have shown that cruising at 55 mph gives you the best gas mileage, though wind resistance plays a crucial part here.

Answer 5

its different for for different vehicles.  As stated above, at speeds over 50 to 55 MPH, its more efficient to have windows up and AC on if needed over those speeds.  Savings, 1 or 2 MPG.

Answer 6

Yes, the open windows causes air resistance which causes the car to slow down and therefore makes it require more gas to move at the same former speed.