Air conditioner = Gas +/- different usage?
#22
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by The Liu Man
So what about those of us with the top DOWN? Wonder how that fares...
#23
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Running the air conditioning will adversely effect fuel mileage. The air conditioning condenser puts an additional load on the engine.
Air conditioning ON and windows OPEN: not a good idea. The interior of the car will not reach the desired temperature, and the air conditioning condenser will not cycle OFF.
Fan speed: high or low doesn’t matter. The fan is run from the car’s electrical system.
Air conditioning ON and windows OPEN: not a good idea. The interior of the car will not reach the desired temperature, and the air conditioning condenser will not cycle OFF.
Fan speed: high or low doesn’t matter. The fan is run from the car’s electrical system.
#24
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I commute 35 (90% highway, 10% surface streets) miles each way, with pockets of heavy traffic. I have the AC on the whole time and I got 22.5mpg on my last tank.
#25
Originally Posted by Lerxst
Mythbusters did an experiment in Chevy Suburbans. Two trucks with equal fuel around an oval track at 40mph. One had A/C on and one had the windows down. The one with the A/C went MUCH further before running out of gas.
That seems to be my experience in the Z too, with the majority of my driving in the city.
That seems to be my experience in the Z too, with the majority of my driving in the city.
Episode 22: Boom-Lift Catapult
Buster lends a hand as the MythBusters explore the myth of the boom-lift catapult. Will Buster overcome the raw power of a 30,000-pound piece of machinery, or will the boom-lift turn into the ultimate medieval catapult? Then, worried about the price of gas? Tune in to Jamie and Adam's investigation into the most fuel-efficient way to keep cool in the car: turning on the air conditioning or opening the windows.
premiere: Nov. 10, 2004
http://kwc.org/blog/archives/2004/20...n_windows.html
Windows down vs. air conditioning
"Urban puzzle": it is more efficient, on a hot day, to run with the A/C on and windows up than to run with windows down (b/c of increasing car's drag).
Computer-based mpg measurements:
11.7/11.8 with A/C on and windows up
11.7/11.8 with A/C off and windows up
11.3 with A/C off and windows down
So, according to the computer, it's better to use A/C with windows up.
This was too quick and easy for TV, so they decided to stage a seven hour marathon, race-til-you're-empty duel, with Jamie driving an SUV with A/C on and Adam driving an SUV with windows down. Though, once the safety inspector intervened, it was no longer a seven-hour marathon, it was a bit slower (45mph instead of 55mph), and a lot shorter (only 5 gallons each).
Jamie's A/C car ran out of gas first -- Adam's windows down SUV ran for another 30 laps -- completely contradicting the computer mpg estimate. Computer estimate based on air flow into the engine, so it would appear that it is unable to properly model the difference between A/C and windows down.
Mythbusted
#27
New Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Jersey, New
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel they ran 2 Ford Explorers around a circular track, one w/ A/C full blast and one w/ the windows down. They both used equal amounts of gas.
Edit: lol nvm i didnt read the prior posts. And i was off..my memory sucks.
Edit: lol nvm i didnt read the prior posts. And i was off..my memory sucks.
#29
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Medford, OR
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mitchgt
My question is… in different scenarios of use of the air conditioner is gas affected in any way?
#31
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
What it comes down to is. Who cares? You will save more gas by watching how you drive. I can get 30MPG day to day with my AC on full blast, at highway speeds of course. However, as soon as I get to some backroads I floor the sucker. Sure it's nice to get great MPG, but when it comes down to it, It's a 350Z who cares.
lets all say it together, S P O R T S C A R.
But to answer a question, using the AC will slightly effect your MPG, I believe it's much less of a factor with newer cars then the older ones, but it's still a factor.
Roll your windows up and turn the heat on. you will get the best MPG, and while you're at it you can also turn your apartment/house AC off and save even more money!
I myself, I like spending a little more money every month to get the luxuries of life. If I didnt I wouldn't own a 350Z I'd drive a GEO and get 35+ MPG
lets all say it together, S P O R T S C A R.
But to answer a question, using the AC will slightly effect your MPG, I believe it's much less of a factor with newer cars then the older ones, but it's still a factor.
Roll your windows up and turn the heat on. you will get the best MPG, and while you're at it you can also turn your apartment/house AC off and save even more money!
I myself, I like spending a little more money every month to get the luxuries of life. If I didnt I wouldn't own a 350Z I'd drive a GEO and get 35+ MPG
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
liqalu04
Engine & Drivetrain
31
01-02-2022 12:58 PM
Lt_Ballzacki
Brakes & Suspension
39
08-06-2021 06:19 AM
350Z_Al
Exterior & Interior
133
10-29-2020 07:44 PM
Gruppe-S
Body Interior
13
05-16-2016 10:42 PM