Do you get better gas mileage when you drive with the windows up and the a/c on, or is it a lot less miles p?

Question

Do you get better gas mileage when you drive with the windows up and the a/c on, or is it a lot less miles p?

Answer 1

Any time you drive your car with the AC going it is more expensive that driving without it on.

Answer 2

every little differants.... check it your self fill up set the mileage and drive a tank out with the air on.... then set mileage and drive with the windows down.... it will be less than a gallon per tank

Answer 3

blownhemicharger is exactly right, except I heard that the cutoff was 60 mph.

Bottom line is that on the freeway you're better off with the windows up.  Turn on the AC if necessary.  On the street, turn off the AC and open the windows.

Answer 4

It really doesn't seem to matter.

Answer 5

No measurable difference

A/C On, Windows Up vs. A/C Off, Windows Down

This has got to take you back to the days with the family on vacation. Dad says, "Turn the A/C off! It wastes gas!" And Mom says, "We can't roll the windows down or everyone on the highway will think we can't afford A/C." And you're in the back roasting, hoping someone will win the argument so you can cool off.

Well, family psychology aside, if dads are still saying this, they aren't necessarily right. While the A/C compressor does pull power from the engine wasting some gas, the effect appears to be fairly minimal in modern cars. And putting the windows down tends to increase drag on most cars, canceling out any measurable gain from turning the A/C off. But this one depends on the model you're driving. When we opened the sunroof in our SUV, the mileage did decrease even with the A/C off. Still, in our experience, it's not worth the argument because you won't save a lot of gas either way. So just do what's comfortable.

Method: We drove the full 55 mile-loop in two cars at equal speeds both times — 65 mph. The first loop we drove with the A/C on and the windows up. The second loop we drove with the A/C off and windows down. In the second test we drove 20-mile loops. This was far enough to see our gas mileage level off and remain steady on the computer trip meter.

Answer 6

Usually at lower speeds say 30mph and under it's more efficent to have you windows down, after that it's better to have the windows up, because of the increased drag from the windows being open.

Answer 7

at constant speed around 60 mph the drag created by having the windows open hurts your mpg.

so on the interstate for example it's better to have the AC on and the windows up.

in city driving it doesn't make that much difference but you will save a small amount of gas by not using the AC.

but you'll be a better more comfortable driver with the AC on.

when driving in traffic always keep a small crack in your drivers side window so you can hear sirens and emergency vehicles easier.