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Author	Topic: To use Air condition in your car or not?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

totallyforgiven Rookie Author Pennsylvania Posts:55 Points:30,850 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 6, 2008 2:35:00 PM Ignore totallyforgiven Report Abuse Here are a couple of tips from this site: 4 Use A/C Sparingly When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner. 5 Keep Windows Closed Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%. I am confused, if I am travelling, especially in the summer, lol, I either need the air conditioner on or I need the windows open, I can not stand to ride in a car that is shut up and stuffy, lol.

totallyforgiven

Rookie Author
Pennsylvania

Posts:55
Points:30,850
Joined:Apr 2006

Message Posted: May 6, 2008 2:35:00 PM

Ignore totallyforgiven Report Abuse

Here are a couple of tips from this site:
4 Use A/C Sparingly When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
5 Keep Windows Closed Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

I am confused, if I am travelling, especially in the summer, lol, I either need the air conditioner on or I need the windows open, I can not stand to ride in a car that is shut up and stuffy, lol.

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Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,570 Points:940,450 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2013 10:35:42 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse They say that it's better to run the air than to have the windows down at high speeds.
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,412 Points:954,730 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2013 8:22:13 PM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse I have a 1997 Grand Prix with a 3.8 liter and get 22/32mpg with the air off.
r0adrunner Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,185 Points:398,680 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2013 4:01:24 PM Ignore r0adrunner Report Abuse yes
renegaudet Sophomore Author Houston Posts:128 Points:131,155 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2013 1:55:06 PM Ignore renegaudet Report Abuse I drive a hybrid and don't use the air conditioner regularly. And I live in Houston, but get about 35mpg.
Jmac2008 Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,411 Points:907,865 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2013 1:07:34 AM Ignore Jmac2008 Report Abuse just use the AC and don't worry about it.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,373 Points:355,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 11:34:09 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse No
contiki Champion Author Ontario Posts:9,442 Points:589,065 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 7:53:03 PM Ignore contiki Report Abuse Yes.............
ozziebaby Rookie Author Michigan Posts:34 Points:7,755 Joined:Jun 2013	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 6:59:52 PM Ignore ozziebaby Report Abuse if its to hot out then yes if you have a vehicle that has it .most of my vehicles the a/c didnt work.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,492 Points:136,115 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 6:19:19 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse 88 degrees today and I was quite happy with the windows/sunroof - no AC. I did use the sunroof slider a little as the sun was beating down directly. It is so much nicer to drive with the windows open. Still, I was in shorts and tshirt today. If I was in jacket and tie, I'd have had the AC on. Plus AC doesn't mess your hair like having the windows open does.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,870 Points:1,608,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 5:40:14 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Use
fkkf92 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,047 Points:2,613,195 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 9:52:08 AM Ignore fkkf92 Report Abuse use
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,923 Points:2,922,335 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2013 7:18:40 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse With 90 plus degrees of heat with 80 plus percent of humidity, you can bet your bottom dollar I WILL use my AC.
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,392 Points:1,387,440 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2013 3:23:44 AM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse The 20% drain on mpg seems high anyway but is way too high for a high torque engine. It has hardly any impact on my Vette.
dvc2 Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,011 Points:468,965 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2013 3:01:04 AM Ignore dvc2 Report Abuse Always
Grateful11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,165 Points:743,890 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2013 1:43:20 PM Ignore Grateful11 Report Abuse If it's hot we use the AC.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,870 Points:1,608,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2013 12:55:03 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse I use it if needed.
xbAG Veteran Author California Posts:479 Points:234,490 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 9:12:42 PM Ignore xbAG Report Abuse mostly drive with windows open. Here on the central coast of CA, it doessn"t get that hot. Hardly ever turn on the AC. can't remember last time I used it.
pawnkingfour All-Star Author Georgia Posts:681 Points:167,700 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 8:48:17 PM Ignore pawnkingfour Report Abuse Its summer time, got to turn the a/c.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,373 Points:355,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 5:35:14 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse Yes only when needed
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,492 Points:136,115 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 11:02:35 AM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse I like the windows open, even if it's cooking out. But if I'm stuck in beach traffic or some such, not moving , then I'd rather sit in AC.
giwan All-Star Author Michigan Posts:623 Points:104,145 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 10:27:03 AM Ignore giwan Report Abuse of course
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,870 Points:1,608,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 9:55:42 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Yes
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 5, 2013 6:09:51 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse No
Ukaserex Rookie Author Mobile Posts:8 Points:15,860 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 11:15:17 PM Ignore Ukaserex Report Abuse I get my best mpg by using little or no ac - but, I do use it sparingly when it gets pretty hot. With a 35 gallon tank, an average of 2 mpg less adds up over time.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,870 Points:1,608,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 8:05:43 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse If it get warm enough I turn the AC on.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,742 Points:2,534,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 9:13:28 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Move to Northern BC. I've turned the AC on about three times so far in my 2005 vehicle.
jam2siu Rookie Author Illinois Posts:34 Points:2,240 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 6:38:38 PM Ignore jam2siu Report Abuse 465 is all the AC you need, 4 windows down, 65 MPH
BBF_PFS Veteran Author Washington Posts:335 Points:113,505 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 10:45:04 AM Ignore BBF_PFS Report Abuse If it's not raining I open the windows but then I'm an outdoors kind of guy.
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,940 Points:569,980 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 8:54:47 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse In the city and towns, I use the AC after the vehicle is completely stopped until it's time for me to move. In the highways, it's alright to use the AC because there's no appreciable loss of fuel economy.
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,182 Points:825,070 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 8:18:11 AM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse When it is warm and humid enough..
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,392 Points:1,387,440 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 7:33:28 AM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse The higher torque for the engine, the less the impact of the compressor on mpg. I remember older 100 HP cars where turning on the A/C would visibly slow the car. In the Vette, you don't even feel the compressor engage.
jack4141 Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,127 Points:721,305 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 10:36:21 AM Ignore jack4141 Report Abuse Yes I use it
fkkf92 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,047 Points:2,613,195 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 10:07:22 AM Ignore fkkf92 Report Abuse use
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,179 Points:2,457,350 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 7:39:46 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse When it's hot or stormy, I use the A/C.
cv Champion Author Raleigh Posts:15,349 Points:3,294,280 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 5:41:52 AM Ignore cv Report Abuse Yes I do.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 12:59:12 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Never
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 12:59:05 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Not
mybigtruck Veteran Author San Jose Posts:254 Points:224,965 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 29, 2013 4:56:48 PM Ignore mybigtruck Report Abuse I use AC without regard to mpgs... I also use it during the winter when it's raining to keep the windows from fogging up. If not used enough, the seals will invariably dry out and leak out all your freon.
DoctorOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,998 Points:1,103,150 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 17, 2013 2:17:59 AM Ignore DoctorOH Report Abuse Only when it is needed
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,392 Points:1,387,440 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 10:21:38 AM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse Been up into the 80's and low 90's in the last two weeks, A/C very nice even without much humidity.
fkkf92 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,047 Points:2,613,195 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 9:39:04 AM Ignore fkkf92 Report Abuse yes
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 6:41:16 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Nope
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 6:41:06 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse No
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,182 Points:825,070 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 6:19:20 AM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse Only when it is hot and humid.
63pioneer Champion Author Texas Posts:6,760 Points:84,830 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 4:47:56 AM Ignore 63pioneer Report Abuse No, it doesn't work!
giwan All-Star Author Michigan Posts:623 Points:104,145 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 12:25:02 AM Ignore giwan Report Abuse MMMM sweat like a pig or not. A/C but since it's only 30 out no need
DoctorOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,998 Points:1,103,150 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 12:06:17 AM Ignore DoctorOH Report Abuse When it is hot outside I use the AC
que47 All-Star Author Virginia Posts:526 Points:89,295 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: May 9, 2013 4:58:41 AM Ignore que47 Report Abuse I'll give up a lot of things, including a few mpg, before I give up my AC. I figure that my overall annual AC costs (home + car) are at least somewhat offset by only heating my place to 65 or 66 during the winter. (I could even go down a few more degrees, especially in the bedroom, but am afraid of freezing pipes.) But I only drive with the windows open going slowly for a few blocks to the highway when necessary to move the hot, stagnant air out of the car, so at least that's something.
ace12012 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,800 Points:349,535 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 12:56:02 PM Ignore ace12012 Report Abuse in Arizona we need the a/c most of the time.
Desoto49 Veteran Author KW Posts:282 Points:500,140 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 12:00:59 PM Ignore Desoto49 Report Abuse Use A/C often in summer. Too noisy and often too much smog to have windows down.