I was told that turning off 1's vehicle AC will NOT help conserve energy, or rather, save on gas. Any truth?

Question

Please confirm if these 2 tips regarding gas conservation are facts or myths:

1. staying/shifting to a lower gear, NEUTRAL specially, will stretch gas mileage.

2. Not using the car airconditioner will stretch gas mileage.

Any real and tested truths regarding vehicle gas conservation?

Answer 1

mythbusters proved that ac is better than rolliing down windows  REVISITED: Running a car with air conditioning on is more fuel efficient than running with the windows down. (From episode 22)

partly confirmed

The fundamental flaw in the MythBusters’ test was that the point where the drag becomes powerful enough to inhibit a car’s performance with windows down was inside their 45 - 55mph margin at 50mph. Going less than 50mph it is more efficient to leave your windows down, but going greater than 50mph it is more efficient to use your A/C.

Answer 2

it really doesn't Matter I saw something on tv awhile back about this subject but i thin it may have been related to a hybrid or something. but no there's no truth to the A.C. thing.

Answer 3

If you drive at any speed with the windows open the car will use more fuel because of the extra drag created by turbulence, if you have the AC on full blast the pump will use power when it operates.,there is no free lunch!. Set the AC to a comfortable level & keep the windows closed, you may use a little extra fuel but not a huge amount if the system is working properly.

Answer 4

SAME THING, CHECK OUT MYTH BUSTERS WEB SITE.

Answer 5

Turning off the AC WILL save gas, but only if you don't open the window and you are at a high speed.  If you are over 60 mph, running the AC will use less gas than opening the window (due to drag force).  If you are at less than 60 mph, running AC will use more gas than opening the window.

Answer 6

I don't know about number 1, but number 2 is true. I know it from personal experience.

Answer 7

They did a test on myth busters about whether or not a/c changed the fuel mileage of a vehicle in use.they hooked up a computer to the vehicle and closely monitered the computer while the vehicle was driven both ways,with the a/c on and with the a/c off.they deemed it inconclusive as the fuel numbers were so close to each other so as to show no significant difference.also as a professional driver who has to watch fuel mileage like a hawk.shifting in and out of neutral only creates extra wear on transmission parts,so any savings are lost in the long run on maint. in order to effectivly save fuel keep your foot out of it,and drive it conservatively not like a dragster

Answer 8

1.  False - Staying in a lower gear  at speeds beyond the intended range for that gear causes engine to rev higher and burn more fuel.  Higher gears slow downe the engine at highers speeds, providing more efficient fuel use.

2.  False - the belt that drives the compressor spins the compressor flywheel whether the compressor gear is engaged or not.  Having the compressor engaged and thus the air conditioning on, does not use enough horsepower to impact fuel useage.

The only real way to save fuel is reduce engine speeds. Keep your engine RPM under 2000.  This may require driving slower but to you want to save fuel or drive fast?  There is no middle ground.