Maximizing Efficiency Driving With Windows Down & A/C Off VS Driving With AC

With the economy still struggling to its feet, people are looking more than ever for methods of cutting cost without too much discomfort. One very popular bit of advice is to not run the air conditioner in one's car, but instead drive with the windows down. Others will say that the opposite is actually true; that having the windows down will create additional drag on the aerodynamics of the car and cause it to use up more fuel. Which is suggestion is correct? The answer is: both. 



Driving with the air conditioner turned off will always save you money. The only problem is that driving with your windows down may not. According to an SAE study, there is point in which vying for keeping your windows down as opposed to keeping your air conditioner on with the windows up ends up using for fuel than running the air conditioner full-blast. At around 55 miles per hour and over, having the windows down causes significant wind resistance on your vehicle and can cut gas mileage by as much as 20%. Running your air conditioner with the windows up only tends to cut gas mileage by around 10%. Driving at lower speeds, however, air resistance does not play near the same factor as it does at higher speeds; so city driving with the air conditioner off and windows down would end up saving money. 


Make sure to keep ALL of air conditioners in good health this summer in order to stay cool! For all your household air conditioner installations, repairs, and any other HVAC service needs, contact the professionals at Tulsa's own A Best Air.