Which one uses more gas having the windows down or useing the air conditioner

Question

Which one uses more gas having the windows down or useing the air conditioner

Answer 1

At high/way/freeway speeds, using a/c and close windows uses less gas.

Answer 2

USING THE AIR CONDITIONER...

Answer 3

I would think that having the AC running would use more gas cuz ur engine has to be running with it on whereas if you have the window down u don't have to have the engine running (if its parked)  Now on the other hand with the window down driving that's a mystery to me if it burns more gas than using the AC sry couldn't help you out there

Answer 4

in my 99 blazer i get 24.5 mpg with the windows down and on the interstate    with the ac on i 20mpg driving the same way

Answer 5

Well I wonder the same thing. I have heard that using the air conditioner does. But then again, having your windows down cause resistance.  

Answer 6

Windows down

Answer 7

Independent Studies show that having your windows down while below 45 MPH is more fuel efficient than using AC, BUT while above 45 MPH the wind drag created by the open windows becomes too great so above 45 MPH using the AC is more efficient, below 45 MPH open windows is more efficient.

Answer 8

this was on mythbusters, having the windows down uses more gas, especially in all cars but especially newer cars with more efficiant air conditioners

Answer 9

MSN.com had a fuel mizer review two weeks ago and they tested both ways and the tests showed no significant difference between the two.