How cheap are you?

[JulesMaximus]

Reading the this thread about fuel economy while driving got me thinking about this.

Personally, I use the A/C all the time when I have passengers and it's on full blast when I first get in the car. My wife sometimes shuts it off because she's too cold. She's the one who usually rolls down the windows rather than blast the air.

 

[SynthDude2001]

As I said in the other thread, I use the A/C whenever it's above about 65F outside, which is usually about 10 months of the year.

 

[frodrick]

I usually roll down the windows because that is what I prefer. Having the windows down cools down a car well enough unless you are driving 20mph in 105F heat. It isn't about saving gas or anything like that. When other people are in my car that I know prefer AC I'll turn it on instead of rolling down the windows.

 

[nageov3t]

#1.

given the choice, I'd rather roll down my windows for the fresh air, but when sitting in traffic, there's not that much wind.

I do, on occasion, roll down my windows and blast the ac, just to spite my dad who would always yell at me when I did it as a kid

 

[Saint Nick]

i drive with my windows down and i hate paying 2.09 for gas

 

[EmperorIQ]

I"m not cheap at all. I actually prefer to not use AC, because I just don't like the feel of an AC, I really don't know why. When driving, I prefer having the air blowing in my face. However, if I have a friend in the back, who can't stand the wind, I will roll the window up half way, or use AC.

 

[scorpmatt]

my car or truck dont have a/c unless you count the 4x4x60 a/c

but when I drive a car with a/c, i use it when needed, or asked to turn it on.

 

[BigJ]

If there's traffic, the A/C goes on.

If we're driving on the expressway, it's windows.

 

[Nomada]

Topic Title: How cheap are you?
Topic Summary: With oodles of creamy poll goodness!!!
Created On: 06/22/2005 06:27 PM

Your topic summary is rather disgusting.

 

[gistech1978]

when i eat fast food, i keep the extra packets of heinz ketchup to squeeze into the bottle in my fridge.

so, yes i can be pretty *thrifty*: not cheap!

 

[iversonyin]

you are talking about 30% fuel efficieny goes out the window?

 

[imported_Kensai]

AC when there's traffic.
Windows if I'm driving extremely fast.
Heat when it's colder than -20C.

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Dude. Resisting the urge for a Big Mac combo (or your favorite fast food meal) ONE SINGLE TIME more than makes up the MPG loss in at least 1 tank of gas. AND it helps your health in TWO ways.

 

[aeroguy]

If you're going down the highway at 60 or 70 mph you don't save any gas by rolling down the window. In fact, some studies have shown you actually use more gas with the windows down than using the A/C because of the aerodynamics.

Edit: and don't forget that drag increases with the square of velocity, so the faster you go, the higher the drag, and you have higher fuel consumption.

 

[RossMAN]

I refuse to associate myself with any creamy poll goodness!!! (unless I'm getting paid lots of $$$)

 

[Ronstang]

Why is this an "are you cheap issue"? I personally prefer to have the windows down and I live in Texas. I will use the AC when I have passengers that prefer it and times when I want to cool down but for the most part I have the windows down whether it s Summer or Winter. I guess this comes from being older and growing up with my first two cars not even having AC. You have to remember that most cars from the 50s and 60 had no air or it was an option and not always a common one. I still have 4 classic cars and only one has AC and even though it is still in the project phase once it is finished the only reason I put AC in the car was the dehumidified defroster...which is MANDATORY in the humid climate of Houston. In my Lexus I usually have the windows down and the sunroof open unless the woman is with me. Sometimes these things just come down to personal preference.

 

[archcommus]

My A/C doesn't work so I have the window down when it's 90 degrees, and that's with long pants on, an undershirt, and a fully buttoned neck with a tie on when I'm going to work.

 

[Vic]

I live in the Pacific NW. It's rare that a day is so nice that the AC needs to be turned on and, when such a rare day arrives, I'm rolling down the windows to enjoy it, whiny passengers be damned.

 

[JoeKing]

wtf I can't stand people that refuse to turn on their A/Cs. It's like OMG dude your saving a few bucks a tank, but how much is it gonna cost to replace the seat I just sweated a gallon of sweat into?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: aeroguy
If you're going down the highway at 60 or 70 mph you don't save any gas by rolling down the window. In fact, some studies have shown you actually use more gas with the windows down than using the A/C because of the aerodynamics.

Edit: and don't forget that drag increases with the square of velocity, so the faster you go, the higher the drag, and you have higher fuel consumption.

Myth.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Nomada
Topic Title: How cheap are you?
Topic Summary: With oodles of creamy poll goodness!!!
Created On: 06/22/2005 06:27 PM

Your topic summary is rather disgusting.

I was thinking along the lines of food you pervert. :laugh:

 

[aeroguy]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: aeroguy
If you're going down the highway at 60 or 70 mph you don't save any gas by rolling down the window. In fact, some studies have shown you actually use more gas with the windows down than using the A/C because of the aerodynamics.

Edit: and don't forget that drag increases with the square of velocity, so the faster you go, the higher the drag, and you have higher fuel consumption.

Myth.

Prove it. Saw a mythbusters episode on it. When they tested with computers tracking fuel consumption the A/C option was better (11.7 vs. 11.2 mpg I think). When they drove around the track with 5 gallons in the tank at 50 mph, the windows down option was better, but they used two different vehicles unlike the first test.

And drag increasing with the square of velocity is definately not a myth. So if you are going 70 mph vs. 50 mph the A/C option gains even more on the windows down option.

 

[FoBoT]

the difference in a car is negli , almost zero

run your A/C in the car ya goofballs!

 

[quakefiend420]

unless it makes a difference of 10mpg or more, i'm gonna use the a/c and be comfortable...

 

[imported_Mike]

I was using it today!