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elevation101 wrote:The guys from Myth Busters proved that the using the a/c on todays cars actually got better mpg then with the windows rolled down because of the drag.

! I was just going to add that.. i too watched that one..

they did an extensive test you could say, on all sorts of differnt speeds, and windows up / down..

The conclusion was the ac affected gas mileage so lil that you wouldn't notice it.. compared to the windows being down, increasing drag.. and so on..

Hell i could care less if it reduced my mpg by 5 i'd still use it :) lol

mmm comfort

elevation101 wrote:The guys from Myth Busters proved that the using the a/c on todays cars actually got better mpg then with the windows rolled down because of the drag.

I saw that one. The difference is still considerable.

i love the mith busters i especially liked the one on the brown note

i never use the ac. not as comfortable as having the windows down, to me.

if you're curious, the A/C compressor draws about 35A of current, as well.. and the added drag on the alternator also decreases mileage somewhat, just as a technical aspect.
With small 4cyl cars a lot of times you'll really feel the drag on the engine with the AC turned on.. going up hills or accelerating almost comes to a stand still if you have an underpowered car to begin with and then add AC. Even more so with sluggish automatic transmission four bangers.

I use the AC in the Jeep a lot in the summer, but that's got a 4.7L V8 and dual zone climate control, so the AC isn't blasting full force the full time it's on, and gas mileage isn't reduced that significantly truth be told.

KikiTheCat wrote:if you're curious, the A/C compressor draws about 35A of current, as well.. and the added drag on the alternator also decreases mileage somewhat, just as a technical aspect.
With small 4cyl cars a lot of times you'll really feel the drag on the engine with the AC turned on.. going up hills or accelerating almost comes to a stand still if you have an underpowered car to begin with and then add AC. Even more so with sluggish automatic transmission four bangers.

I use the AC in the Jeep a lot in the summer, but that's got a 4.7L V8 and dual zone climate control, so the AC isn't blasting full force the full time it's on, and gas mileage isn't reduced that significantly truth be told.

thats exactly how it is on my honda. (4cyl stick)...I lose so much power if I turn the A/C on, the gas is so much different. It almost feels like a whole different clutch spot, you really have to baby the gas/clutch to have a smooth take-off, and once you get going you have 0 power :-/

not that my 150hp honda has power anyways, but, you know what i mean

yup. you lose the responsiveness the car normally has, and suddenly it feels like you're towing a small house behind the car.
I've had 4cyl cars like that with AC on.
It makes it a lot worse when you're driving in mountains and such.. also heats the engine up a lot faster which isn't very good on the motor of the car for longevity.

I feel more comfortable with the windows down as well..The main proiblem i have with using my ac is that sometimes i'd rather get out and walk than try to accellerate, and it doesn't always blow as cold as i like. Plus i can hear alot more rattles from my trunk. going to deaden it this weekend.